Morning journal and courier., 1890-11-22
THE couNCIL,s DECIsION

I'm the M1lEOrd Church Case Head
Last Night Before the Milford Peo-
pie by DIR. Smyth-The Result In
Full.
1t would seem that now the differences
which have existed in the First Congrega-
tional church of Milford might be healed.
The church was filed last evening by an
interested congregation, who had come to
listen to the result reached by the council
recently called to consider the case. DR..
Smyth and DR.. Twitchell we're present to
represent that body. The result of the
council was read by DR.. Smyth and is as
follows:
RESULT OF THE COUNCIL.
After extended and prayerful delibera-
ton upon all points contained in the letter
missive,. having reviewed. our. Congrega-
tional po1ity and legal precedents bearing
upon the case in hand, the council reaches
the following conclusions:
All ordinary church business may be
transacted at any regular meeting of the
church, no previous notice having been
given.
When extraordinary or unusual matters
are to be presented for church action due
| notice should be given of the time and
place of meeting and of the business to be
considered.
A church can vacate the Office of dea-
con before the expiration of the term for
which he was elected, if convinced that
the best interests of the church demand it,
| and if the procedure be orderly.
| In deposing deacon for reasons not
| connected with his Christian character,
l hi nil W or
| compatibility, viewed from purely OIL
| cial standpoint, the same power which
| placed him in Office may, by like action,
| displace him, after due notice to the
church and the party involved, the latter
having previously been given an oppor-
| tunity to resign. But, because of the deli
cate nature of such action, particular care
| should be taken to affirm the confidence of
| the church in the Christian character of
| the brother or to disclaim any intention Of
l censure.
In deposing a deacon for reasons which
! might be construed as affecting his Chris
| tian character the mode of procedure
| should include the preliminary steps of
| admonition outlined in Matthew 1S, 1917;
| the giving, both to the church and the Off
Ger, of due notice of time and place of the
proposed church action; fair and full
| hearing of the case, and vote according
| to the rule of the church in regard to
| church discipline.
In view of the above principles and of
| the fact that grave doubts exist regarding
| the validity of the church's action, and also
of the fact that the parties deposed con-
strued the church's action as a personal
censure, contrary, however, to the intent OF
| the church as expressed to the council, the
| council advises that the votes of the church
| deposing the two deacons and all action
based thereon be rescinded; they therefore
advise that Henry N. Platt and George F.
| Platt tender their designations, to take eff
feet Immediately.
In giving the above advice the council
does not wish to impugn the motives OF
either party in reference to anything said
or done. It is, however, felt that spirit
of greater forbearance and tolerance might
have obviated some of the serious Difficult
ties in which they have become involved.
1t is, therefore, the earnest prayer and
hope of this council that in forgetfulness
of all past grievances and in the NANTES
tation of a forgiving spirit, the whole
church may reunite in such love an0
hearty cooperation as shall secure for it 6
spiritual prosperity that shall gladder
every heart, and command for it the full
est confidence of all the sister churches
AFTER THE READING
Of the above followed informal remark
by the two divines named above. A com
mittee, consisting of Messrs. George F
Smith, Isaac G. Smith and D. L. Clark
!. was appointed to draw up a resolution ex
pressing the sincere and hearty thanks t.
the members of the council for their eff
forts, and also to DIR. Twitchen and DR.
Smyth for coming down there last even
, ing with the report. A similar resolution
, presented by Deacon F. Platt, was ais
adopted The result of the council wa
: accepted unanimously by the meeting an
will probably be adopted by bushes
e meeting to be held some time in the future