Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1895-12-17
A Majority Vote of the Church
Declined 10 Accept.
Stories Which KEPT CIRCULATING.
They Gave Rise to Some Dis.
sensiOn.

SACRAMENTO, Dec. 17.-There is a
prospect that there will shortly be a
change Of pastors In the Calvary Bap-
tlst church. The resignation of the
present pastor, Rev. J. II. Reider, has
been rendered, and while majority Of
the congregation voted against It's
acceptance, still It has not been with
drawn by the minister and 80 practic-
ally IL remains in effect.
1t has been known for some time
past that things had not been running
as smoothly as was desirable at the
church. There haye been stories, and
there have been denials. There have
been meetings of the deacons of the
church, and there has been something
Of division of sentiment as to what
should be done. The stories reflected
on the prudence OF the pastor with re-
spect to personal conduct, and were
denied point blank by the person best
In a position to know. Friends OF the
pastor there were who stood up for and
defended him, and asserted their abid-
ing faith In him. There were other
friends of his who deemed that because
Of the existence Of the ftories, and be.
cause of the division of sentiment
which had manifested itself In the
congregation, 10 were better for Mr..
Reider TO Withdraw. A few left the
church.
About year and a half ago the
stories first gained circulation and were
Investigated by the officers of the
church. AS result of that inYestiga-
tion, certificate was drawn up, read
ing as follows and signed by the
officers:
1--WE, the undersigned members OF
the Calvary Baptist church of Sacra-
meGto, CAL, after a careful examina.
tion OF the stories recently circulated
have come to a clear and positive con-
clusion that the Rey. j. IL. Reider, our
pastor Is q pure-minded man, an
earnest and conscientious Christian
and an able and devoted preacher,
and a hard-working and safe pastor,
and Is freely worthy Of the affectionate
and complete confidence of every men,
Der OF the church.
II appears that last summer the
stories were repeated, aud Mr.. Reider
was recently Induced to tender his res
ignation. This resignation was sub
mitled to the congregation about two
weeks ago, and Its acceptance was
declined by vote Of 55 to %. 1t was to
take effect the last sunday of January
OF the first Sunday Of February. Mr..
helder has not withdrawn his resigna.
uon and there the matter rests.
With reference to the cause Of the
ssniimsnt in the church II appears that
heY' Reider was charged with having
suown preference for certain woman
OF The congregation. He was said to
visit her home TO the exclusion very
often OF other members of the congre-
sauon, and TO be seen in her company
30 oiIen as to occasion comment. The
husband Of the woman, however, who
was credited with having originally
oolec'ed to the attentions of the min.
s'er to his wife, presented a written
usnlal of his former statements and
lfmed his faith in the pastor. Iu
"s" OF this denial the certificate was
o''en up expressing confidence iu
nsS, heider, and IL was signed by all
.ue ueacons of the church. Since that
Ne' however, at least one Of the
suieefs has said that he does not sub
AiOe to all that the certificate say