The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-20
DIR. DOUGAN CLARK,S CASE.
Criticism of the Plea Recently offered
in His Behalf By C. w. Pritchard.

To the Editor OF the indianapolis Journal:
/ see in the Journal of the 9th instant a
long apology for DR.. Dougan Clark's vio-
lation of discipline, church law and church
creed of the Friends Church by c. w.
Pritchard. in which he uses a good deal
of sophistry, erroneous rendering of Script
ure and contradictory references. 1t was
a surprise 10 see such a production come
from a man OF his ability and literary ex-
perience, especially on a simple. plain, mat
ter of fact proposition. DR.. Clark's viola
ton of church discipline and law admits
of no apology or palliation. His plea OF
conscience in the matter and c. w. Pritch-
ards plea for federation is only a plea for
personal liberty. 1t is not, and cannot be,
a question Of conscience in this case, nor
is it a question, pro or con, on the subject
of water baptism, and still further, il is
not a question whether Friends Church is
orthodox on baptism nor whether their
discipline or church law Is scriptural or I'M
scriptural.
Did DR.. Clark do right when he deliber-
ately and knowingly violated the discipline
and laws of the church? Had he made
known the fact that he could no longer con-
scientiously defend and maintain the creed
of his church he would have been released
from further obligation and been free to
follow his convictions, without doing vio-
lence to the conscience of his church. This
he knew, for he had been a life member
and taken an active part in forming, re-
vising and perfecting church policy for
forty years. 1 have known DIR. Clark from
his early life and rejoiced in his growth in
spiritual life and power. and had fondly
hoped that he was safe beyond the danger
point when and where so many gifted men,
under some unaccountable influence or
temptation, make a mistake that casts a
cloud over all their lives. One Of the most
impressive and interesting sermons l ever
heard was delivered by DR.. Clark's father,
in which he gave his experience and con-
scientious convictions in coming out from
under the ordinances and joining Friends
Church; in his early life he had belonged
to another church. 1t is .-e greater sur
prise that DR.. Clark should go back into
h his father came out of-both claiming
The position taken by C. W. Pritchard is
far less excusable than that of DR.. Clark.
plea he makes for tolerance and personal
liberty is the same claimed by the strikers,
Socialists and the milder forms of An
liberty to violate civil law, and then claim
tolerance from the laws, and protection for
their violations. After Dr.. Clark deliberate,
ly violates church law, G. w. Pritchard
claims for him the right to still participate
In the business of the church and influence
It's decisions. again., ne lntlmateS tnaI Wnlle
editor Of the Christian Worker, a church
organ, he would have advocated the liberty
Of individual members violating church law
with impunity. He says: For nearly ten
years / was editor of the Christian Worker,
Chicago, and several times merely limited at
some Of the reasons for tolerance, but the
feeling aroused was so strong that a full
discussion of 1t was impracticable." He thus
unwittinglv confesses that while holding an
important position of honor and trust, he
was disloyal TO his church, and but for
the strong feeling aroused he would have
betrayed the trust reposed In im-bu why
was he removed from being editor of the
church paper? 1t is unfortunate for G. w.
Pritchard that he should have voluntarily
undertaken to apologize for this violation
Of church law, as 1t raises both the ques-
ton of loyalty and orthodoxy, and will
relegate him to deeper obscurity than DR..
Clark, neither of them being constituted
for leaders in founding new churches or
securing a large following Of their make
all Protestant churches were drifting into
Romanism because a few eminent Prot
estant ministers had joined the Catholics
as to try to show that the Friends Church
was drifting into ritualism because DIR.
Clark had been baptized by sprinkling on
of water, after the regular form Of the
Methodist.
1 have no desire to enter into a long con-
troversy over this event, but want to say
that the conduct Of the Doctor and his
apologist is deeply regretted by their friends
and by the church, but 1t will be as a seven
days wonder and the church will just
move right on in its regular course. ready to
what road they are travelling. whether by
land, water, steam or in a chariot of fire.
ADDISON COFFIN.
Amo, Ind, Oct. 10.