The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-10


Rev. Ncrvai W. Fletcher. OF Ballard. can
% no longer minister OF the Gospel in
sae Baptist denomination This was the
decision OK "A ex-par,e council Of churches
WITHIN the Northwestern Baptist Associa-
ton held yesterday.
After hearing ths evidence and discus
sion the council also determined that only
those IN the Baptist church Of Ballard. OF
waich Mr.. Fletcher has been pastor. who
DO not hold with him in his views and
teachings as set forth in his pamphlet en-
titled. How the Devil Came 10 Church.
and In the charges against him laid be-
iore the council. should be considered
members OF tbs First Baptist church OF
Ballard
The fight between Rev. Mr.. Fletcher
and faction Of the Ballard f,ock has been
hot one. The preacher had some warm
trends. who believed in his own peculiar
brand OF doctrine. But as events have
proved, he had enemies, too, and they
have won. The hourishing mill town has
been much stirred up over the dispute.
one sunday morning few weeks ago,
alter the reading Of the usual notices by
the pastor. Eli T. Hamblet. one of the
church members. arose and handed hin, A
paper which the minister declined 10 read.
Hamoiet then arose and said: LAS your
pastor refuses to read the notice. 1 will"
he then walked up the aisle 70 the pulpit.
picked up the paper, and read the notice.
which was call. signed by seven parish
toner's. Tor special meeting to investi-
gate charges OF heresies against Mr..
Fletcher. Several members, who consid-
cred the action of Mr. Hamhlet an insult
TO the pastor and the congregation. left
the church in the midst OF the reading OF
the notice.
In the evening Mr.. Fletcher read sha
notice and explained why he did not read
IL IN the morning. II was contrary, he
SAID. 10 the constitution by which the
church Is governed. The constitution uro-
vided special mode OF procedure for the
triai or charges against the presiding pas-
tor He courted an Investigation. and
was willing TO have one as soon as posi-
Die, put IT must be in the proper way, ac-
cording to the constitution.
Hamblet again stated that ne wanted
to prosecute the charges at once. as he
was going 10 Alaska before an fnyestIea-
tion under the constitution could be held
On the following Tuesday Rev. Datus u.
Proper. general missionary OF the ar,eri
can Baptist Home Missionary Society.
called on Mr.. Fletcher and made arrange
ments for holding meeting according to
the customs OF the Baptist church. to trv
the charges.
Ell T. Harnblet Is religious enthusiasts,
a well-known exhorter in the BAPTIST
church, and at the meetings OF the Saliva
lson army. He has a large family con-
ncction in Ballard and they supported him
IN his efforts TO Dust the present incurn-
bent, who teaches what HambIet calls
heresies to the good Baptists of Ballard
AR Fletcher is popular with the general
PUBIC and large part OF his congregation
stood BY him. Hamblet is said to be- a
sucker for his own doctrine and has al
ways Deem more or less opposed To the
teachings OF Mr.. Fletcher.
Since the publication of How the Devil
Came to Church. by Fletcher, Hamhiet's
opposition has been more emphatic and
intense than ever
Fletcher is quite confident that his doc
trines are Scriptural and in accordance
with the Baptist faith. He does not con-
sider himself infallibie. however, and has
said that IL he should be found guilty.
re would apologize 10 his congregation
ana cease preaching on all Objectionable
subjects.
Tenth Annual Meeting.
The tenth annual meeting Of the North.
western Baptist Association OF Washing
ton and British Columbia is now ia ses-
sion at the Tabernacle church. corner
Boren avenue and Jefferson street. The
opening session was held Tuesday morn
Ing, and began with a prayer and praise
service led by Rev. DIR. j. Sunderland
The association was then welcomed by
Judge r. s. Greene. chairman of the en-
tertainment committee OF Tabernacle
church, Moderator p H. McEwen. Of Viz
toria, responding. The appointing OF the
committee on enrolment and the intro
duction OF new pastors took Up the re-
mainder of the morning
In the afternoon the committee on en-
rollment reported. and the following off,
GERS were elected: Moderator. Rev. J.
Cairns. OF Snohomish; clerk. w. ]. Col
kett, of First church, Seattle: treasurer.
4. c.. Tiilinghast. of La Conner: auditor,
George w. Ward, OF Tabernacle church.
Seattle.
A discussion on soul Winning" fol-
lowed. led by Pastor J. H. Woodley. OF
Black Diamond; Pastor s. 4. Abbott. OF
La Conner. and Evangelist G. r. Cairns
The reading OF church letters took up the
remainder OF the afternoon and the first
part OF the evening session
Two new churches. one at North Bend
and the other at Bay View, were admit
ted into the association.
The subject discussed in the evening
was the state OF religion ard the associ-
alton home mission work Pastors w C.
Weir. NJ. C.. Cole and s. A. Abbott and
General Missionary d. d. Proper leading
Yesterday morning was given up BY the
delegates 20 seeing the city and visiting
friends.
The afternoon subject was 'sThe Com
mission on Systematic Christian Eenei-
cence." and discussion on the Bible basis
az hsneacence was participated In by DR.
j. Sunderland and Pastors l.. ]. Sawyer
s ]. Beaven, l.. s. Bowerman and w. c.
Weir.
Last evenings session was devoted 10
foreign missions. Mrs. J. A. ResseguIs
read the report OF the missionary COM
mistee, and Or. J. Sunderland, Pastor NJ
c. Cole and Evangelist q. r. Cairns dis
cusse1 various phases OF the subject
Todav's sessions win be devoted 10 The
Home. Women. the Young People and the
Bible School"