The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-03-08
A Regular Missionary Baptist" Church
Established Here.
A CASE IN POINT AND ITS RESULT,
Contrary Statements OF Interested
Parttes-faise Reports Are said
10 Rave Becn Circsiated--Thc
Reason for Revolt.

organization and tnat another place OF
worship had been established by those
people who charged Rev. Geo. A. Fair,
the pastor, with being unwarrantably
arbitrary in his effort to govern the church,
opposing in some Instances, it is claimed,
the authorized laws OF the organization.
The HERALD, observing that the affair
both within aud without the church,
offered its columns to those who felt that
they had been unjustly criticised orally.
1t was thought. however, that the mat
ter could be amicably determined pri-
vately and no mention was made OF the
unfortunate incident at that time.
The matter has finally been carried to
the public prints, aud, as local episode
OF no small Importance, THE HERALD
quotes the following article found in the
Baptist Sentinel, OF March /, adding, by
the way, that our columns are open to
those who desire to make further explain
alton OF the matter;
| DEAR BROTHER MOORE You have
doubtless heard ere this something OF
the split in the First Baptist church Of
this place; and that every one may be
permitted to pass judgment in the matter
in an intelligent manner, will lay before
those who read the Sentinel the material
facts. And being one OF the twenty-five
members who have asked letters and
have gone into another church organize
ton, am willing to submit the matter
for investigation by all candid Christian
people. And do believe in this reflect
the he nest sentiment OF every one who
withdrew from the First Church. Here
are the facts
The constitution adopted by the unan-
mous voice CT the church provides that
u twothirds vote OF the church is neces-
Sary to the election OF pastor. And that
he must first serve for three months, on
trial, before being employed permanently.
Brother Fair was elected by one or two
majority for an indefinite period. Rather
than cause any disturbance in the church,
We submitted and helped pay pastors
salary, in the hope that We might be able
10 work together in the interest of Christ's
canse in this country; willing to yield to
anything that did not require a sacrifice
Of principle.
January I, OF, after services, the pas
tor announced to the congregation that it
was expected that several persons from
Mckee would be present to unite with the
church by baptism, but on account o:
bad roads and bad weather did not come
Bat said that Brother z. desired to come
before the church for membership, stat
ing that he had signifed his desire to
unite with Gods people, etc. Mr. T.,
when called upon to state his case, arose
and related his Christian experience and
his desire to unite with the church; neither
he nor Elder FAIR ever stated that he
belonged TO any church or that he clsim
ell to have ever been baptized. Brother
\. moved that Brother p. be received.
Motion carried The clerk being absent,
no record was kept OF the transaction.
A few days later the clerk met Brother
A. and was told that Brother p. vas APP
proved for baptism, but before writing
up the minutes, met Brother NJ. who in.
formed him that Brother p. was received
into full fellowship with the church. The
minutes was not entered in the church
record and at the next regular covenant
meeting, February LIST, the minutes not
being complete, the pastor urged the
clerk to insert in them that Brother P.
was received into full fellowship with the
church. The clerk proposed to wipe the
whole proceeding from the records, as il
was proven that many of the members
understood that they voted to approve
for baptism only, and to drop the mat
ter now would save trouble and a
very disagreeable discussion. But the
pastor would not have il that way, and
Insisted that the clerk ill the minutes as
he had directed. saying that the matter
eonld be attended TO aiterward. Minutes
OF other meetings were read and an
proved, and after all other business was
attended to, the clerk moved a reconsid-
GRAFTON OF the vote taken on the admis-
sion of Mr.. p, which was supported by
Brother A. The pastor opened the dis
cussion for the chair. He was asked il.
when the case was by him presented TO
the church, he had made full statement
of all the facts to the church. He re-
Piled that he had not that he never had /;
that it vas the privilege Of the members
/ to ask any questions they saw fit; thst il
was vote. tie was told bv brethren
that they did not understand that they
were voting to receive into foil fellowship,
but for baptism. He insisted that 1t was
a vote and that a motion TO reconsider
was out OF order.
An appeal was then taken to the body
, OF the church and the pastor ruling was
sustained by two majority.
will say further that in a eonyersa-
ton with Elder Fair short time before
the occurrence above mentioned, he stat
ed to me that he would not as long as he
was pastor regard the church eonstitu-
I ton or be governed by it.
: Now, in view Of the fact that under the
: church constitution unanimous vote is
necessary to receive any one to member
ship, ask who is entitled to the credit of
splitting the church? May the dear
Lord bless them and lead them out of the
wilderness is the sincere prayer of your
brother in Christ, A. +. SMELLING.
North Yakima, Wash, Feb 10, 1894.
q RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.