Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-03-15

issue of the 9Th inst. respecting the
Baptist church of this place and their
action in the case OF r. j. Downing is
80 wide of the truth In several of Its
statements and so misleading TO the
general public that candid statement
of the real facts in the matter seems to
be due not only to the church as a
body, but to individual members of
the church as we'll. The first thing in
the above mentioned article to which
WISH 10 call attention is the state
ment "that less than half dozen
members of the church were present
at the meeting" The real fact is,
there were fourteen members of the
church present, seven male and seven
female members, besides Rev. MIR.
Black of Carl Junction, who was
chairman of the meeting, and another
Baptist brother not member Of this
church, hence not entitled to voe-a
much larger number than is usual at
our regular business meetings. Again
ii says "Mr. Downing asserts that he
severed his connection with the church
several months before this meeting
was held and was not member OF 1t
at that time" The real facts are as
follows: At u Wednesday evening
prayer meeting In July last Mr.. Down.
Ing asked for letters of dismissiOn for
himself and wife and after a lengthy
discussion did get vote to grant the
desired letters, two members voting for
and one against it. At business
meeting of the church in December
l think Il have not the date before
mel, and presided over by Rev. Mr..
Fl0id of Mound Valley, this action of
the church ST. far as it related TO Mr..
Downing was revoked and his letter
Cancelled. At the same meeting the
clerk of the church was instructed TO
notify Mr.. Downing of this action and
also 10 request him to appear before
the church at its regular business
meeting in February to answer certain
charges preferred against him for i'm
moral conduct.
In regard to Baptist church letters,
allow me TO say it Is the practice of
this church, as Of most other Baptist
churches, 10 limit letters of dismission
as to time. Six months is the usual
time. Mr.. Downing's letter was so
limited and if the church had not can
celed il by previous action 1t would
have been void by Limitation at the
time of the February meeting. 1t is
also principle of Baptist usage that
members dismissed by letter are still
considered members until their letters
are used or deposited with another
church and the granting church noti-
fled of such action by the church re-
ceiving. Therefore, by every princi-
pie of Baptist usage Mr.. Downing re-
NAMED member of this church and
was subject to its discipline at the time
he was called to answer at its Februa-
ry meeting.
Again, in regard to the church's ac-
ton in Mr.. Downing's absence, Mr..
Downing had been notified nearly two
months previous and been requested
to be present at the February meeting
to answer charges preferred against
him. AT the time appointed he did
not appear. His wife appeared for
him and asked that the matter be de-
ferred until his return, but she could
not tell when he would return, neither
did she give any reason for his not be-
ing there only that it would be finan-
cial loss for him to leave his business.
This did not seem to be sufficient
reason to justify the church in post
poning action for by strong majority
vote they decided TO proceed at once
with the case. Specific charges were
laid before the church in writing
against Mr.. Downing and sustained
by uncontrovertable proof, and as the
matter was one Of public offense
against the church and not against in
dividuals action was Immediately TAX
en- and by unanimous vote the hand
of fellowship was withdrawn.
These are the actual facts in the case
just as they have occurred, and we do
not believe there is Baptist church in
all this country that will not Justify
the Baxter church in its action when
all the facts are known.
One thing more. In the article re-
ferred to Mr.. Mead is made to appear
at the head of party desiring to
crowd action against Mr.. Downing
during his absence. The actual facts
are Mr.. Mead was one of the minority
that voted to postpone action until his
return. While he had personal diff |
culties with Mr.. Downing he was not
the first mover in this matter, was not
present at the December meeting when
preliminary action was taken, had no
part in it at that time and really did
not know that any action had been
taken until several days after. 1t was
in no sense party action, but the ac-