The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-09-20
CHURCH TAKES A VOTE
Rev. I'D. Id. Boyle is Supported
by a Ballot
Of 1913 to Al But Will Resign
Nevertheless.
The Trouble Arose ostensibiy Over
DR. Boyle's Failing Health, Al
though the Pastor Says
His Health is Excellent

The congregation of the First Christian
church in executive session yesterday
morning. Immediately after the morning
service, voted to reject the resignati ton
OF the Rev D. D. Boyle pastor of the
church by vote of 12S to Al. The Rev.
Mr.. Boyle, however, will not remain as
pastor of the church on account of the
minority vote.
Although the difference which has
sprung up in the church is of somewhat
short origin, yet it has assumed de-
gree of strength which makes it bitter
fight.
The matter has been uppermost in the
minds of the church people for several
weeks and yesterday was set as a day
on which the question should be settled
permanently.
Rev. d. D. Boyle preached yesterday to
a congregation which filed comfortably
the large new auditorium of the First
Christian church. He chose for his SUBJ
ject THE Voice Unseen" and the Scrip
ture lesson was taken from I Samuel
lilo. He said in part:
My friends, when we have plenty of
water in the land we do not appreciate
it SO much. When the sun shines con-
tinuously we do not appreciate it. Over
in Turkey. where the tramp of horrible.
laundering armies is heard they may
wish for peace, but in our land where all
is quiet we do not appreciate peace.
When we have plenty of kind friends we
don't pray for more friends. But when
we get into strange place we sometimes
say: o that might look into the face
of a friend There are those who sit in
the meeting house and listen to the Cos
pei as given by the minister, yet they
do not heed what is said. The harass-
ing disappointments of life sometimes
dull the ear to the sweet, small voice.
You'll hear enough of the wicked world
but listen to the admonition of the kind
loving Father
After a hymn had been sung Rev. Mr..
Boyle stepped down from the pulpit and
standing directly in front of the audi
ence, said: Brethren and sisters, before
retire from the room I wish to say
few words. 1t is a source of deep regret
and sorrow to me that dissatisfaction has
arisen. But this seems to be true. When
the board decided that I should resign,
1 sent my resignation to them and asked
them to accept it. I had hoped that that
would settle it. But they have seen fit
to submit the question to you. The right
thing to do is to follow the elders your
spiritual advisers. The reason given for
asking me to resign was that my health
had failed. At present my health is bet
ter than it has been for years. For the
future l cannot insure my health. If Ia
grippe should attack me this winter it
may pull down. But ask you this
as Christians: That if you are prompted
by any other than the Spirit of Christ,
do not deceive the board nor deceive your
selves. If you believe that you can la
Dor with me in the saving of souls say
SO by your voice. Speak what is in your
heart. I am at your disposal I am will
ing to go if you choose that shall. And
even if a respectable minority is against
my staying I shall not stay; I shall go.
I ask that you do what is right in the
matter and in the sight of Cod
As the minister finished and walked
back on the pulpit platform and left the
room, his face was flushed with emotion.
His audience was affected and dead Sic
lence followed, which was only broken by
Druggist r. B. Kelly stepping forward
and giving out hymn. After this Mr..
Kelly, who is president of the church
board, called the congregation to order
and stated that it now devolved upon
them to settle the question before the
church as regarded the retention or dis
missal of the pastor.
He said: 81 have here the resignation
of Mr.. Boyle, which is as follows: I
hereby tender my resignation to the
church board on account of failing health,
to take effect within 60 days or sooner if
my successor can be named
81 have the unpleasant duty of acting
under the rules of this board and
Quoting this meeting. I will give a short
history of the case. August 20 the board
met to discuss the matter. A secret bal
lot was taken which resulted in eleven
voting for a change and five against it.
A committee appointed which noti-
fed the pastor. The latter sent his res
ignation September s. September Is at
a special meeting of the board twelve
members were present. Six voted to re-
ject the resignation and five to accept it,
the chairman pro tenn. not voting. Now
that is the status of the case. Twelve
board members voted, while nine were
not present. I was not present and I can
speak only for myself. I would like to
know if you now wish to take action on
this or to refer it back to the board with
power to act
Another silence prevailed and then the
chairman said: "All in favor of rejecting
the resignation of the pastor will please
rise
One hundred and twenty-three men and
women stood up, including the members
OF the choir. Then the vote to accept
the resignation was called for and forty
one people arose This prompted Chair
man Kelly to say: Now, everyone ought
to vote on this. We can't make you vote.
but it is your duty"
The vote was announced by the clerk of
the church as 123 for and Al against re-
jecting the resignation The action had
been taken and Chairman Kelly said;
Let us sing Praise God From Whom
All Blessings Flow" The hymn was
sung and a prayer offered. and the con-
gregation of the First Christian church
fled out. Rev. Mr.. Boyle had been vim
dicated by a to 1 vote, but it is prob
able that he will consider the one-fourth
a respectable minority The pastor is