The San Francisco call., 1897-01-24
ROB|NSON'S CREED
D|STURBS TACOMA.
Causes fractional Strife in
the First Baptist
Church.
Pastor Hartman Resigns and
Many of the Come. Cutters
Withdraw.
Doctrines cf the Visiting Ev ngelist
Not in Favor With the
Majority.

TACOMA, WASH, Jan. 23.-The trouble
which has been brewing among the mem
bers of the First Baptist Church since the
arrival of Rev. Peter Robinson from Cal
lfornia O week ago and the introduction of
his doctrine of sanctifcation eliminated
last evening in the announcement by the
pastor, Mr.. Hartman, that he would not
preach in the church until the demons
have been removed from the mem bers of
his congregation" A meeting of the
pulpit committee of the church was held
this morning in the office of Deacon
Cavender for the purpose of filling the
vacant pulpit of the church, and an in
vitation was extended to Rey. c. Spurgeon
Medhurst, who will occupy the pulpit to-
morrow.
The trouble which has now reached such
an acute stage was caused, it is said by
the most prominent members of the con-
gregation, by the doctrines which have
been advocated by the Rev. Mr.. Robin
SON. About a score of members have
taken kindly to the7new ideas, and among
them is the pastor. Mr.. Hartman, and
these have been holding nightly meetings
in the church.
AT the conclusion OF the regular services
last evening The pastor requested those
who did not concur in the new doctrines
to leave the church and allow the follow
ers of the Rev. Mr.. Robinson to hold their
regular after meeting undisturbed by the
presence of the unbelievers. AS the ma
joritv of the mem bers did not seem to
take kindly to the idea of being ordered
from their own church, the pastor made
the declaration that the meetings would
be continued in different place.
1t is thought by many that the pro-
longed strain of the recent meetings has
been too great for the pastor and that
mental trouble will ensue unless he takes
a rest. However his determination to
follow the teachings of the Rev. Mr.. Rob-
inson cannot be shaken, and if a new
church is organized by the "come-outers"
it is expected he Will minister to its spirit
uaI wants.
A number of prominent members ac-
cepted Rev. Mr.. Harriman's invitation
last night and left the church. After
this Mr.. Hartman turned his back to the
audience and kneeled at the pulpit In
this position he remained the entire
evening. When reporters entered church
long after midnight he was still in the
same position, his head bowed in silent
prayer, while down in the auditorium
were about twenty of the followers OF Rev.
Mr.. Robinson's creed laughing, crying
and praying at the same time.
The latter base their sanctification doc
trine upon two passages of scripture.
One of these, from Paul's letter to the
Ephesians is:
Be ye filled with the spirit
The other, from PauPs Epistle to the
Thessalorians, is:
For this is the will of God. ever your sancti-
fication, that ye should abs tain from fornica-
tion.
1t seems that Mr.. Hartman has been
somewhat in doubt what course he should
pursue, and for nearly two weeks he has
been fasting and praying. One week OF
this time he spent at his home, denying
himself to friends and to members of his
congregation until he should again re-
ceive the holy spirit. Several nights ag o
he again appeared at evening meeting s
and assisted the ''come-outers."
Rev MF. Robinson is here on his way to
the Chinese mission field, where he will
represent the California Christian Alli-
anCe SocIety