Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-06
OUR NAIL POUCH.
The Bausman Case-Its Lesson.
% the Editor of The Dlspatch:

The Bausman Case-Its Lesson.
| To the Editor of The Dispatch:
The case of the Rev. Mr.. Bausman, of
| Rochester, now settled by the severance of
| his pastoral relation to his church of tn at
place, has seemed mystery to most people.
| What was the nature of his alleged heresy?
| All the parties interested seemed to be de-
sirous to preserve some secrecy in regard to
the matter, but i5 has at last come to be
more clearly understood. A good Presby-
terian of that vicinity has thus stated the
matter
At n fire in Rochester, some time ago, q
shoemaker and his little child were
burned to death. The man was a "skeptic,"
but otherwise nothing was alleged against
him. Their home being burned, the funeral
services were held at Mr.. Bausman's church,
he officiating. In the course Of his address
he said he did not know where the two un-
fortunatos had gone, but wherever they
were "the mercy of God was still over
them"
The remark stirred mp much feeling and
discussion, and the Allegheny Prcsbytery
was at last obliged to take hold of the mat
ter with the final result already stated.
The case, however, has a wide inter-
est for most thoughtful persons and
deserves more notice than 1t has received.
MI. Bausman has much ability as n preacher
and was beloved by his people. 1t is clear
that his "heresy" did not shock them. or
make any breach between himself and their
affections. Nearly all were desirous to re-
tain him as their pastor: He himself con :
stanty reafflrmed his belief In Gods tender
mercy toward all his children in this or any
other world, and denied the charge Of
heresy. The Prcsbvtery, too, were very re-
luctant to deal with him. Evidently they
had some sympathy with the kind, brave
utterance which had soothed the he1rt of
the poor widow. SO suddenly and awfully
bereaved of her dear ones. They were
better than their creed. Nevertheless, to be
consistent, they had to take some action in
the matter. They did the best they could,
and after his Oluntary resignation they
gave him a letter of dismissal to Congregn-
tional body. He is now free to preach to any
church which may call him.
The Presbyterian friend who gave this
Information said he thought the Presbytery
"They should have fred him. They would
have done that three centuries ago-in
another sense-but times have changed and
though creeds may be savage, men are not.
But this certainly seems sad and strange
state of affairs. Here is n church bereayed
of loved and efficient pastor and himself
sent out to wander In search of another
flock. while the Presbptery mourn the loss
of a valuable member whom it had neither
the heart to treat with stern discipline, nor
the courage to let alone. And all because
he expressed his honest convictions under
circumstances which seemed to impel their
utterance. And this is only one of many
cases which are cropping out over the whole
country, especially in the Presbyterian
Church, perhaps because she has at once
high culture and n stringent creed-two
things which 90 badly together.
The remedy for this state of things lies,
perhaps, in the more general adoption of the
congregational form of Church government.
A minister with deep convictions, whatever
shape they may take, will then fail only If
he fails to persuade his people of their truth.
If he cannot give them the spiritual food
they hunger for, they. being the proper
lation between them No third power should
be allowed to step in to dictate or tyrannize.
Only thus will peace be secured in the wide
realm of the Churcn of Christ. NJ. G.
ALLEGHENY, Maya