Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-05-08
AN OPEN LETTER.
The investigation Committee OF
the M. l.. Church Explains.
Editor Record::-


Editor Record
DEAR SIR.
Having seen an article in the RECORD
of May lst, in regard TO the recent un'
pleasantness in the Nj. Il. church and
from the tenor Of said article it would
seem To be the version of Mr.. Hawkins.
The statements however are incorrect
and misleading and would naturally
cause your readers to suppose, that j.
W. Hawkins was an injured and in
nocent party, and that the Church au-
thorities OF the pastor were venting
wrath upon him, the cause of which
nigh, be from some reason foreign to
the case IN question.
We wish therefore TO show, as briefly
as possible, the truth in the case, say
ing nothing but what can be abundant
ly proven, SO that your readers may
Judge for themselves, whether MIR.
Hawkins paid the bills of the Sunday
school "from his own pocket" OF
whether he paid his OWE bills from the
pocket of the ). 5.
In order that fair judgment may be
rendered we give the mode by which
the bills of the Sunday school were
paid. First, all bills have to be brought
before a S. S. board, consisting of the
pastor, officers of 5. s. and teachers,
and if bills are just, resolutions must
pass the Board to pay such claims. The
Supt. is then ordered to draw the money
from Treasury upon an order from the
Secretary. This order is held by the
Treasurer as voucher against day of
settlement; the Supt. holds receipted
bills as his vouchers.
At the beginning of the year new
Supt. was elected, which was against
the wishes of Mr.. Hawkins. But as
many of the members began to scent
that there was something dead in
Denmark" they resolved that a
change was necessary, and requested
by their ballots that Mr.. Hawkins
should retire, and that he render an
account of his stewardship. Upon the
installation of the new officer he stated
that all moneys had been paid over ac
cording to the order of the Board and
that S34 90 was all that the school owed
Hunt Il Eaton.
A committee, OF which Mr.. Hawkins
was one, was appointed TO look up the
accounts aud after waiting for few
days, having been visited by the pastor
aud members of the church, he set a
time for meeting, but failed TO appear
This committee Gn Hawkins abSence)
found that the first $1,000 which he
drew and should have sent, had been
kept by him; that the next order Of the
Board was for S25, 80, of which he kept
S13 90. and from the last order of $1,000
he reserved to himself $500, making a
deficiency of S3S, o.
When called upon 10y the committee
to explain the matter he said: my
explanation is that | used the money.
Ny son owes me S400 | arranged
with son to send S3S % and took out
$500. (out of last ORDER wanted him
to pay me what he owed me. | had
used $50. 90 to July. l was not prepar-
ed for any difficulty at meeting. | said
| thought had receipts. | confess it
is not business, | wouldn't do 1t again.
1t has taught me very important les
son. | wouldn't take chances in that
way again. can't help it now. got
the money from Bank" Jan. II three
days after meeting of investigating
committee) land sent it to Hunt q
Eaton and expect receipt on this mail. y
AS regards the stewardship of the
church the facts are somewhat similar
but this will be sufficient for your
readers to judge from whose pocket
bills were paid.
j. w. VICKERs,
l.. G. WRIGHT, Com
f. w. BALCH, 0oin'
L. ID. w. HOOPER,