The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-08-27
DUNCAN M'GREGOR
Vindicated by Rev. /. ID. Bowman Who
is in a Position to Know What
He Says.

Editor News -Democ The cruel per-
seoution and gross Misrepresentation that
has been heaped upon this brother, de-
mands that the following facts, which
are established with the most positive
evidence, should be stated, that all who
are willing to believe the truth rather
than falsehoods, may have solid ground
on which to stand.
The letter herein printed Is from Rev.
1. d. Bowman, of Philadelphia who was
living in Philadelphia during the con-
spiracy that was organized for DIR. Nc
Gregor's ruin. Brother Bowman is fa-
miliar with all the facts Of the case Dr.
McGregor was pastor of the Betheny
Baptist church during all his domestic
troubles and divorce case. The deacons
and members of the church knew all
about the facts that led to his divorce
and earnestly supported him through 1t
all, believing that DIR. MoGregor In his
domestic troubles and divorce case, acted
within the sphere of the sacred scriptures.
This all took place before the Betheny
Baptist church gave the letter of good
standing and recommendation to DR.. Nc.
Gregor to join the Brethren church, OF
which l. d. Bowman speaks The fol-
lowing is Rev. I. D. Bowman's letter:
Philadelphia, August 6,1s96.
To Whom 1t May Concern;
Inasmuoh as DR.. McGregor has been so
prosecuted and so misrepresented, i desire
to make the following statements First
Rev. DR.. McGregor, while pastor of the
Betheny Baptist chuorh of Philadelphia,
came to me for the loan of our baptistry
to immerse several applicants. After CIV
ing my const mt, asked him to analyze
Uhrist's Commission. After a thorough
study and Investigation, the doctor saw
he could not without three acts. / gave
him tract TO read, and in few days he
said: ~ cannot consclentiously baptize
those candidates. see 1 have not been
baptizing according to the teaching and
correct Interpretation of Christ's Com
mission Later DR.. McGregor made
application to join our church; but he
first most earnestly requested us to in
vestigate thoroughly all his troubles with
the Centennial Baptist church. We made
a thorough investigation and found that
while the doctor was pastor Of the Cen.
tennial church, some of the memb bers
brought certain acquisitions against him
but we also found the board of deacons
cleared him of these acquisitions. The
doctor then asked for a more thorough
examination, and committee Of fifteen
of the most intelligent, conscientious
brethren of the Centennial church were ap-
pointed committee to thoroughly in
vestigate these acquisitions They did so
and the committee Of fifteen exonerated
the doctor. The doctor then, in order to
satisfy more fully the world at large, de-
manded that the whole matter be brought
before the whole Centennial Baptist
church, which was done, and the whole
church, by majority vote, exonerated
him fully. Then because of this spirit of
conspiracy, the doctor, with over a hun
dred Of the better part Of the church, with
draw from the Centennial Baptist church
Before DIR. McGregor would accept the
pastorate of the Betheny Baptist church,
he demanded that they should appoint a
committee to investigate his whole past
life in the ministry, in Brooklyn, New
York, In Philadelphia and other places.
They found nothing against Dr. Mo
Gregor as Christian man and minister.
The doctor then accepted the unanimous
call to become the pastor OF the Betheny
Baptist church. had personal talk /.
with several Of the committee and they
said they found absolutely no ground for
these acquisitions. They further said
they were positively certain 1T was con-
spiracy trumped up against DIR. McGregor
to ruin him. After being pastor Of the
Bstheny Baptist church for two years, he
received a letter of good standing and
recommendation from the Betheny Bap-
tlst church to our church, which letter
we hold today. The doctor then made a
pubic sJaVenent OF mas e4perlonce ana
doctrines before our church without any
opposition was received and we baptized
him. He is an able minister. Give him
a fair, impartial hearing. am sure he
Is able to speak for himself.
Fraternally,
Elder, Isaac d. Bowman. ]
p. ST. noticed have not stated as
plainly 40 ought, the fact that DR.. Mo
Gregor has never been expelled from the
Baptist ohuroh. l. d. B.
We,as members OF the conkistory Of the
Progressive Brethren church, OF Louis
VILE, o., hayD taken plenty Of time to as
certain the undisputed facts In this case
We have reoords. doouments affidayitR