Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-13
the faith in the Westminster Confession Of


upon the records This caused a spirited
discussion, and many sharp passages be-
tween Rev. Mr.. Bausman and his fellow
Presbyters followed. Disposition of the
protest was deferred until action on the re-
port should be taken.
Rev. John Fox said Rev. Mr.. Bausman
had been given longer measure of liberty
because he was felt to be in extremes His
remarks as to the doctrinal soundness OF
Rev. Mr.. Bausman were declared by the
Chair out of order, and he took an appeal,
which was not sustained.
Rev. Mr.. Gibson came to the aid of Rev.
Mr.. Bausman and opposed the dissolution
of the pastoral relation. Rev. Mr.. Nc
Cormack said he did not think the facts
justified the Presbytery in asking Rev. Mr..
Bausman to resign. Rev. Mr.. Dickey
claimed that among those opposed to the
minister were some who are the warmest
friends of the church.
Mr.. Bausman Loses His Temper.
When Rev. Mr.. Graham referred to the
evidence as showing that Rev. Mr.. Bausman
had preached doctrines contrary to the Con-
fession of Faith, the latter became very
angry and called Rev. Mr.. Graham to order,
saying he didn't want him to make any
statements of falsehood. This caused
furore, which subsidized when Rev. Mr.
Bausman indicated that the remark had
been made in Pickwickian sense.
DIR. Campbell stated that the committee
had called before it recently persons who
six months ago opposed dissolution, and
learned from them that there were dissen-
sions and arrearages He again put the
question rs to the advisability of continu-
ing the pastoral relation, and they wouldn't
commit themselves after long discussion,
which at times became decidedly personal
A vote was taken on the report, and it
was adopted by a vote of 35 to 27. The fol-
lowing protest was then read by the Rev.
Mr. Bausman:
WHEREAS The Presbytery of Allegheny,
in session at the Beaver Church April II,
1892, took action dissolving the pastoral re-
lation existing between Rev. j. Il. Bausman
and the First Presbyterian Church of Roches-
ter, he, the Rev. j. II. Bausman, requests
that the following protest be spread upon
the minutes of the Presbytery in connection
with the results OF his case, to wit: He pro-
tests that this action of the Presbytery is
unjust for the following reasons:
In Opposition to the Local Church.
First-It is in the face of the repeatedly
expressed wish of the congregation ut
Rochester, who. by an overwhelming ma
jority of its number, declared itself
satisfied with the ministerial and PASTORAL
relations of him, the Rev. j. II. Bausman.
and urges that the undisputed success of the
church under his leadership, in its every re-
lation, social, financial and spiritual, is the
seal of God upon his ministry.
Second-It is against the wish Of the pas
tor himself. For four years he has held the
most precious relations with the church
He has constantly received from his people
surprising assurances OF their approval and
feels that his probable separation from them
is a hardship TOR which there is no justifica-
tion in mis- own conduct.
Third-This action Of the Presbvtery fs an
spirits in the church. 1t says that, no mat
ter what may be the character and standing
of the pastor in the opinion of the congre-
cation he serves, the smallest dtscontented
minority may unseat him; and 1t has In this
case permitted personal pique and prejudice
to obtain their revenge under the cloak Of
party zeal and purity OF doctrine. This
action of the Presbytery has the effect of
placing upon a member of the Presbytery in
good standing heavy sentence and penalty
without trial, and Is, therefore, unjust
tences named in the discipline, the forcible
removal Of pastor from a beloved church
Is, In fact, O sentenc, and a heavy one. It
should not be inflicted upon any minister
without clear evidence of guilt, upon
charges regularly drawn and sustained. In
this case there were no such charges and no
such evidence of guilt.
No Heresy Preached From the Pulpit.
On the contrary. 1t WAS claimed by the
minister concerned, Rev. J. II. Bausman,
and his claim was not disproved, thai. he
had not preached anything contrary to the
teachings of the Bible or the system of doc
trine of the Presbyterian Church. He
avowed his belief in the fundamental truths |
of Christianity, in the Bible as containing |
the word of God and being all sufficient, of |
faith and practice in the divinity and the |
worship of Jesus Christ. in the necessity for
repentance and In the future punishment of
the wicked.only qualifying himself in regard
fn hHv hn1d linn hot fIal
true theory of their inspiration does
not require US to deny the errancy
of the Scriptures in non-essentials: that q
true theory of the person of Christ does not
refuse to take account of His own utter |
ances and those of His Apostles with refer |
ence to the limitations which He had as
that q true theory of Gods relations to His |
sinful creatures in eternal ages ages will |
not forget in its statement that God was in |
the beginning. is now andever shall be the |
God of mercy as well as of Judgment, and |
that His tender nercies are over all His |
works.
1t was claimed by the Protestant and ad-
mitted by the session OF the Rochester |
church, that he had confined himself in his |
public teachings to the things that are COM |
monty received by evangelical Christians, |
eaI onsy in With 10
ers in a private and pastoral way, in mutual |
search for the truth as it may be found in |
Gods word; the providentlal leadings of His |
human thought. |
The Pastor Is Still Useful,
Fifth, and Lastly-The reason assigned by |
the Presbytery, namely: That the useful. 1
ness of the pastor in his church is at an end |
has no existence in fact. All the evidence |
before the committee and Presbytery shows |
that his usefulness is not at an end. Strong |
letters from men who are representative |
of other denominations, and of the |
business and social interests of Rochester |
testified to the Christian character |
and efficient ministry of Rev. Mr.. |
Bausman. His Church. by nine-tenths of |
a majority, repeated for the third time |
their testimony as to his faithfulness and |
success, ana petitioned the Presbyte not |
to take him from them, and it was shown
that, in spite of the drawbacks of the pres
having lately added 10 members,
IL OF them being received on confession OF
faith.
In dissolving the pastoral relations in the
face of such evidence the Presbytery has
abused its power. and the pastor solemnly
protests against its action as being an inya- |
sion of his rights and Of the rights of his |
and as threatening the very
existence of that congregation.
DIR. Campbell objected to the protest, but
after the words tyrannous and wanton had
been stricken out BY Mr.. Bausman it was
adopted. A committee, consisting of Dr.
Campbell and Revs. Fox and Mccormack
and Elder Hardison, were appointed to pre-
pare an answer to it.
A minority report, presented by Rev. Mr.
which took the ground that it
was unfair to remove Rev. Mr.. Bausman
without trial, was tabled. After electing
Rev. DIR. Robinson, Rev. J. X. McKallip
of Beaver, Henry Disque and George Irwin,
of 1lepheDv commissioners Tn tho CeneroI |