People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-08-10

be declared that be had felt SO bad tn.
Monday after the sermon under DISGUST
sion had been delivered that be was
compelled to take the first morning
train out Of town to hide his sorrow.
And he walked out OF the church look
ing sorrier than ever.
After Mr. Wichern's departure Mr..
Botkin resumed his defense. He got
only so far as to condemn stewards Of
the church for gossiping about him on
the streets and in the store when Mr..
Chaddon, who is a candidate for county
coroner, was heard from.
"If any man says that ever said a
word about this thing on the street, it
is an unmitigated lie," be hoarsely al.
firmed.
Kisses from the ladies corner greeted
the angry declaration.
"Ii the cap doesn't fit don't wear it"
remarked j. L. Kise.
Mr.. Chaddon left the church and Mr..
Botkin continued in an able and effect.
i've speech, without further interruption,
to defend himself and to assert his indie.
pendence OF thought and love for bis
church.
|. l. Scott spoke briefly, deprecatins
the trouble, after Mr.. Botkin had con
cluded.
W. E. Murphy said that the charges
represented more antagonism to tht
pastor among the members OF the church
than could be evidenced at the meeting
Mrs. D. W. Benton arose to ask thai
a rising vote expressing the sense Of thu
conference upon the charges be taken
The Epworth league room, in which thu
conference was held, was filled by tn,
members in attendance and when TIT
vote to sustain the pastor WAS takeI
the assemblage was on it's feet in al
instant, The opponents OF Mr.. BOtkiI
we're asked TO stand up.
"Three! !" counted two dozen voices
and Kisses followed.
Only John Saylor, James Mason ant
". E. Murphy had voted against th
pastor. J l.. Wetzel was the only mem
Der present who did not vote.
T. B. Hubbard offered resolution
heartily renewing allegiance and supper
to the pastor and expressing confdenc
in him, which were passed without dis
senting voice.
Presiding Elder Lowther before closin
the conference spoke at length and wit
feeling, endorsing Mr.. Botkin. TIL
whole proceedings, he said, had bee
illegal, but be had Above
the discussion because he belieN
Ell that the conference wished :
talk about the matter. In looking owe
his records for the quarter ne ioun
that but four pastors in the district ha
made more calls than Rev. MIR. BotkiI
As for the political utterances wit
which the pastor had been charged,
was the duty OF ministers OF the gOspI
to take advanced ground in all mort
and social questions and to lead th
people. That was their business
that was what they we're To-
And all social and moral que
tons and questions affecting tn
general welfare OF the people were
more or less degree related topolitiCs.
was not wise, 10 the opinion OF the pr,
siding elder, to prescribe the preacher !
his thought or words or prescribe hi
utterances, even though he might be o
an unpopular side. Time might iustif
him, He was responsible for his teaCl
iugs only to God. II God was in ther
they should endure; il God was not j
them they should come TO naught. A
that the congregation should deman
was honesty OF conviction. No churc
could endure in which the members di
not bear with one another.
The presiding elders sppech was ey
IDENTIFY affecting and several women wei
in tears when the conference was brougt
to close.
Rev. Mr.. BotkIn was too i'll to renal
until the close OF the conference and wa
nearly PROSTATE when he reached ii
parsonage.