Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-13

DIR. BAUGHER PLEADS HIS CASE.
The Hatter of His Dismissal Referred
to u Committee.

The Natter of His Dismissal Referred
to a Committee.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
CUMBERLAND Md. October ID. 1898.
AS stated in yesterdays Star, the Mary
land Lutheran synod voted to hear Rev.
H. L. Baugher, DID,. the professor dis
missed from Pennsylvania College, in con-
nection with the report of the committee
on that institution; SO that Immediately
upon assembling for the afternoon session
the synod heard Dr. Baugher.
DR.. Parson Of Washington took the mat
ter In charge, and was ably assisted by
the Revs. S. Domer. DID. of Washington
and S. W. Owen, DID,, of Hagerstown. and
were exceedingly outspoken in their de-
mands for a thorough investigation. of the
affairs of the board. DR.. Butler called for
yea and nay vote, but he was too late,
the rules of the synod require five sec-
onds to such motion. and the president
had announced the decision. DIR. Butler
was chairman of the committee ON the
part of the board of trustees whose rec.
ommendation resulted in the dismissal Of
Dr. Baugher.
A suggestion was made that the invest1-
cation take place behind closed doors, but
this was promptly voted down.
Dr. Baugher's Plea.
DIR. Baugher spoke about twenty minutes
and 1t was evident from the applause that
the sympathy of the majority was with
him. DIR. Baugher said. after referring to
his thirty-three years service In the
church and his appointment to Pennsyl-
vania College:
This summer I received notice to quit
without any charges preferred. without
any hearing before the board. And how dc
you think, brethren. 1 received 1t? Nc
committee of Christian brethren came to
me to tell me, or. to say anything to me
but 1 got letter in the post office the
pnyf dow rtnry loci rG<f
no longer. 1t probably would be amiss for
me here now to characterize that kind OF
treatment. 1 think you will characterize
it.
II received this notice not for being I'M
faithful. That man does not live who dares
on an even floor, before such body as
this, or anywhere else, to charge me with
being unfaithful! That man that has any
regard for truth does not live that will
charge me with being unfaithful. What
ever my imperfections-and who has them
mott say before God and man, here and
everywhere. 1 have been faithful in every
office have filled in the Lutheran Church
that has been the effort of my Christian
heart.
Now summary notice to quit, For what j:
God knows. And He knows better than
anybody else, and l think He will reveal
it. 1 think l know, for have been behind
the scenes. But the church does not know.
But II, like Ezekiel, they will dig further
and further into the wall. they will find
more and more denominations
The board is close corporation, is self
elective, and is in no direct touch with the
church. From 1t, mark you, there has
come but one utterarce from an acknowl-
edged signature. b (meaning DIR. Butler
of Washington. in the Lutheran Visitor,
says the Franklin professor because he
was not of us. could rot continue with us
Not Of u.s.! What does this mean? He
cannot speak for the general synod, for l
am president Of the general synod, and
held in honor by it. (AppiauseD Not of
Pennsylvania College, for l have done
more for Pennsylvania College in speech,
In teaching, in gifts. than he ever did.
More than he ever did, and let me give one
illustration. man came to me once (you
may suppose it pretty close friend If not
relative). and said: Here are thousand
dollars; 1t is either for you Pennsylva-
MIA College man getting 81 300 and
finding himself. house and all, could use a
thousand dollars. you know we'll: but !
said: Give 1t to the college, and the college
has 1t, and is using 1t to this day; and more
than once l have given MY money and l
have given the best part of my life. 1t
could not mean not Il friend Of Pennsylva-
mia College What does it mean? Not of
US. If 1t means Butlerism against Luth-
eranism. 1 plead guilty. (ApplauseD
But Is this a reason that will satisfy the
church. for such treatment of faithful
servant of the church and the president of
the general synod, by the board of trustees
of Pennsylvania College?
'All my record, of which | am Droud
would be glad to have spread before the
church. MI. President and brethren, this
Is more than an individual thing and when
was struck down II was not 1 as an in
o1V1dual merely, but the color-bearer, and
1t was the cause for which 1 always have
stood and stard today, and hope. by Gods
grace, to stand until 1 stand before His
throne. the foundations of which are jus
tpI6C ho,
kind attention" [Applause)
Referred to II Committee
At the conclusion of Dr. Baugher's re-
marks it was moved by DR.. Parson that
with equal fairness any one be permitted
| to reply to the speech without limit as
| to time. as DIR. Baugher was not limited.
1t was moved as an amendment that
| questions might be asked DR.. Baugher.
| To this the doctor replied that he would
| be pleased to answer any questions ask I'd
| him. The motion was carried.
DIR. Dunbar then replied to DR.. Bang ler
| saying that he regretted exceedingly that
| he was in any way involved in the mat
ter, although he did not regret the posi-
ton he was compelled to take with re-
gard to it. but that it was matter OF
duty as a member of the board. He said
| he was opposed to airing these contro-
verted questions before the synod. AS
| a final settlement of the matter, as far as
| this session of the synod was concerned
| Dr. Parson moved that a committee Ct
| three be appointed to meet the board OF
| trustees and hear the causes for their ac
| ton and report year hence. 1t was
| agreed to.
| The committee consists of Revs. W. E
Parson. DID,, and S. Domer, DID,, OF
| Washington, and Rev. o. c. Roth of Bal
| timore
At the evening session Rev. Charles
| Rinewald delivered an address on Home
| Missions" and two short addresses were
! delivered on Foreign Missions" after
| which business session was held ant
| the synod finished the business of thi.
| convention and adjourned at midnight.