The herald., 1896-10-30
Stirs Up the Members of the
Bay Conference
A COUNCIL ARRANGED FOR
To Secure the Permanent B0uneing Of
Brother Brown
The Dubuque Conference Will Be Asked
to Rescind it's Action Admitting the
Unpopular Preacher
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
OAKLAND, Oct. 29.-The Bay confer
ence of Congregational ministers today
revived the DR.. Brown scandal by adopt
ing resolution requesting the Dubuque
conference to rescind it's action admitting
DR.. Brown to fellowship in defiance of
the action of the Bay conference in sus-
pending him. A committee was ap-
pointed to arrange for a mutual council,
or as last resort an ex parte council.
in case the Dubuque conference declines
the request. In that event the most
prominent Congregational clergymen in
America will be called upon to partic-
ipate.
When the conference opened today
the following letter from DR.. Brown was
read:
strawberry Point Ia. Sept. 26.
"The kindly and Christian action of
the Dubuque association passed at it's
spring meeting, and this day ratified,
proffering me fellowship, makes it un-
necessary for me longer to contend for
my rights which, without even the form
of justice, were trampled upon by the
Bay conference last April I should
have no expectation that those who
broke their plighted faith by breaking
their constitution would listen to my
appeal to right the wrong. I therefore
withdraw from the Bay conference.
Yours truly,
"CHARLES o. BROWN"
After an all day and acrimonious dis
cusison the following resolution was
adopted:
Whereas, The Dubuque association of
Congregational churches and ministers
has essayed into receiving to it's men,
bership in good standing member of
this conference while under suspension
and without letters of transfer; there
fore,
Resolved That the personal standing
of the member affected is no longer the
chief matter of interest, being eclipsel
by the larger and more general question
Of fellowship raised by this action; that
this conference recognizes the following
principles as embodying it's conception
of the case:
"First-Every local conference or as
sociation, like every church. is wholly
independent in the management of it's
own affairs.
"Second-The determination of the
standing of it's members is lodged in the
local conference or association.
"Third-Every coordinate body with
in the Congregational fellowship IS
bound by the principles of Congrega-
tionalists to respect this right thus
lodged in the local conference or associ-
ations.
"Fourth-In case of alleged injustice
the remedy lies in appeal to an eccle-
siastical council and in that alone.
"Fifth-To receive a member from
such conference or association into an
other in any way except by orderly
transfer from said conference or asso-
citation or upon the findings of an eccle-
siastical council is to commit a brea u
of fellowship.
Resolved therefore, That the said
action of the Dubuque association in the
premises is, in our judgment, unwar-
ranted and in open violation of our Con-
gregational fellowship and that the
standing Of the individual in question
is not affected thereby"
The committee to arrange for the ex
parte council was then appointed and
the conference adjourned.