Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-10
READ OUT IN CHURCH.
The Elders of Rev. DR.. Bausman's
Church Called Him Down.
CORRESPONDENCE IN THE CASE.
He Did Not Believe in All of the Westmin-
Ster Confession.
THE SEPARATION WAS NOT HIS CHOICE
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TIE DISPATCH. !

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TIE DIsPATcH.l
ROCHESTER, Aug. 9.-At the regular
session Of the Presbyterian Church this
morning a tremendous sensation was created
in church circles by the reading of the fol-
lowing correspondence between the church
session and their pastor, Rev. j. H. Baus-
man. The letters explain themselves:
LONDON, ENG, July "a
DEAR BRETHREN-1our letter advising me
of YOUR personal views, and those, as you
think, of a majority of the working mem
bers ot the congregation with reference to
the character of my teachings is before me.
In reply let me say that | thank you for its
expression Of personal esteen and that am
assured that you are acting under sense OF
duty to the church, and acting wisely In
thus notifying me of the state OF feellng IN
the congregation. Under the circumstances
1t is consistent with my sense of duty and
maniIness to read your letters to the eoRgfe
Eation on the first sabbath after my return,
and ask them to unite with me In asking the
Presbytery TO dissolve the pastoral relation
existing between us. This course l shall
81. H. BAUsHAS.n
DECIDES TO SEND HIS RESIGNATION.
''To the Session of the Rochester Presbyterian
Church:
"P. Son further reflection l have decided
10 send my resignation to you at once, and
enclose herewith a letter to the congregation
which you will please present to them on
the first Sa hbath after its reception This
will give you time to call congregational
meeting TO act upon it that the matter
can be brought before the Presbytery at Its
next meeting, the second Tuesday OF
September You will have time IN this way
70 make two public announcements OF the
congregational meeting, at Whlch II VIII De
necessary for YOU to appoint Commissioner
70 the Presbytery to show cause why the
pastoral relation should not be dissolved.
] also desire you to take charge OF the
further supply of the pulpit, AS it is my in
tcGtiOn not to do any further public service
in the congregation. Any necessary pas
toral work ! shall willingly perform until
am released by the Presbytery and leave
the field. For the rest you will be respon-
sible. j. III. BAUsMAN."
"LoNDoN, Exc, July &C.
''To the Members of the Congregation of the First
Presbyterian CHURCH, Rochester, Pa:
DEAR BRETHREN-I have received from
your session letter with reference to my
work aS your PASTOR dated and reading as
follows:
POLITELY REQUESTED TO STEP DOWN,
CHICHESTER, PA, Junes
- Rev. j. H, Bausman, Paris, France:
DEAR PAsToR-We have been studying
the condition of our church and its relations
10 you as pastor and we have come to the
conclusion that your recently expressed
views are having harmful influence among
the people. Therefore we believe it our
GDtN as members OF the session TO earnestly
protest against your teaching these theories
in the congregation. We think your views
are contrary to the teachings of the Bible
aud We know they are not in accord with the
Westminster Confession of Faith. We know
that the members of the church are not in
different to this question. We have not
made any canvass of the congregation and
40 not intend to. but we believe from the
opinion expressed by many who have come
TO us to consult in regard to your views that
the majority OF the working members of the
church will sustain us in protesting.
1--WE do not wish to make any trouble for |
you. for We both, and also the congregation,
we know, hold you in high esteem, but We
believe that the best interests of the con-
gregation demand that we use our influence |
against such teachings. We write you at |
this time, thinking that you ought to know |
the condition of things as We see them, In |
all that We do, we assure you that we desire |
to advance the kingdom of Christ. |
"'fours fraternally,
81 H. EwING,
"a. McCuLLouGH.'
THE ONLY ANSWER HE COULD MAKE.
ITO this letter, dear friends there is only |
one answer that can make consistent with |
any sense OF right and manliness, and that |
Is to resign the position that seem not to |
I'LL aeceptably. / therefore request you to |
mite with me in asking the Presbytery of
Allegheny at ats next meeting to dissolve |
the relation existing between us as pastor |
and people, and l have asked the session to |
call z COnRrephllOndl UneeIlIR III ONCE /
10 act upon my request. As l have |
also indicated to them my purpose |
not to occupy the pulpit after my |
return, and committed the responsibility OF |
its supply to them, l will never meet you |
again in your assembled capacity, and /
therefore wish to express to you now my |
feelings upon taking leave of you, the dear
people with whom my lot has been east
during these past four years. l can only say 1
that we do not separate by my choice, as /
have found myself always as happy in my
work with YOU as | could expect to be any
where, and l know that L love you truly.
BUT / see that the separation is inevitable.
My views are not in harmony with the West
minister Confession of Faith on some points,
a. the brethren OF the session say, and if
Presbyterianism does not tolerate dissent
las would seem to he the verdict of our last
General Assembly,, then you, as Presbyte-
TlanS cannot accept me as your teacher, for
! decidedly dissent On what points, and
why, il is not necessary for me to say now.
Ny best and w:sesT word to you now,
inevitable at once and let me go.'
And l say to you especially who
have not found my views of Gods character
and dealings with the children of men either
distaSteful or unscrlptural-do not leave
YOUR place. There is no reason in conscience |
why you should for even Presbyterianism
permits lay members to remain in its fell
lowship without subscribing to the standards
of faith, beyond what personal acceptance
Of Christ a. a Savior involves, And TO one
and all say ] thank You for the honor, far
beyond my deserving, which you have shown
me, for yOur patience with my shortcomings
ana errors for your love and sympathy and
support, and may God bless and prosper you
snd give us one and all in the multitude of
His loving kindness and tender mercies, to
enter into that eternal and heavenly COM |
muniCn where all the conflicting lights of
earth shall be haTmoniZed in the glory Of |
the rainbow that is round about the throne
OF God and the Lamb
81 remain, yours sincerely,
"J. III. BAUsMAN" |
THEY THOUGHT THEY DID THEIR DUTY.
ROCHESTER, PA, Augusta.
''FrGm the Session of the Presbyterian Church to
The Congregation:
we wrote the letter Just read to our
pastor because We believed it to be our duty.
and we claim it WAS our duty for the follow
ing reason;
"When minister or elder is ordained in
the Presbyterian Church they vow to sus-
tain the doctrines and accept the Confes-
sion Of Faith as a correct Interpretation of
the Bible, and it is the duty of both minister
and elder 10 see that no doctrine contrary
to the teachings of the Confession of Faith
is taught in the congregation. We are not
certain that he acted at the proper time but
We assure the congregation that we
did not expect that our action
would cause our pastor to send in
his resignation. We hoped that it
would have the effect of his stating to the
when he returned that he
would not advocate those principles or
views which he admits in his letter to the
are decidedly ont of har-
mOny with the Confession of Faith; or if he |
could not do this Thought we would ask |
the congregation to take action as to wheth- |