The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-02-21
FINDING OF THE COUNCIL
IN THE CASE OF REV. c. M. ARTH UR
 OF WESTON,


 to Withdraw from the Ministry.
 Following is the finding in full of the ecclesiastical council called by mem bers of the Northfield Congregational church to have charge against Rev. c. M. Arthur, pastor of that church. The council first places itself on record that it was with sincere regret that it was compelled to find these conclu- sions concerning pastor of the Chris tian church. and states that, after a full and free discussion, the following result was unanimously adopted:
 We find that on the 9th of July, 1887, a divorce from c. M. Arthur was se- cured by his first wife, Emma J. Ar thur, on the grounds of "cruel and in human treatment
 We find that after a term of service in the ministry of the Methodist Epis- copal church, he left the Methodist Episcopal church without credentials.
 We find that on December 30, 1889, he was ordained as pastor of the Con- gregational church at Harbine, Ne braska; that during the succeeding seven years he served as minister of the following Congregational church. es: Harbine, Neb.; WestCedar Valley, Neb.; Park, Neb.; Nashville, Mich; Leslie, Mich; First, Leslie, Mich,; Sec ond, Bremen, Ind; Mattison, Mich, and that in nearly every one of these churches there was division and dis cord, which was largely due to MT. Ar thurs conduct of affairs and bearing towards members of the church.
 We find that on April 24-25, 1894, Mr. Arthur was disfellowshipped from the Olivet Mich, association. N
 We find that about May 1, 1896, MT. Arthur began his ministry in Weston, which has continued until the present time. During this period he has been guilty of the following offenses:
 1. Untruthfulness and deceit.
 2. Obscenity.
 3. Fomenting trouble In the church.
 4. Slanderous misrepresentation of present and former parishioners.
 5. Intimidating members of the church by threats of civil and criminal prosecution.
 We recognize a possibility that MT. Arthur is suffering at present and may have been for some years suffering, from nervous disorders which may have impaired his judgment and self tn I,ot h; duct should be considered in the light of this infirmity. This council feels that, while all possible allowances ought to be made for any such infirmi- ty, nevertheless, it is forced to record it's conviction that, in any view of the case, MT. Arthur. whether by reason of moral or mental defect, or both, is manifestly disqualified for the Chris tian ministry.
 We find that the conduct of affairs of the Weston church under MT. Ar thurs pastorate has been contrary to Congregational usage, particularly in:
 1. The intimidation of members and their unjust and illegal exclusion from their right to speak and vote in church meetings.
 2 The summary and unjustifiable disfellowship of Mrs. J. $. Lane, with out granting her warning, hearing, tri- al or appeal
 B. The irregular method employed in the adoption of the so-called "Consti- tuition" Dec 8, 1897, and in some of its provisions.
 We find that, in view of the forego- 4,.+ ex-parte council, and their associates, have not been unreasonably disturbing the church; but that, on the contrary, they have exercised a proper regard for the maintenance of their rights, and the prosperity of the church.
 In view of these findings this council advises:
 l. That Mir Arthur immediately re- sign his pastorate in Weston, and that he, at once and permanently, withdraw from the Christian ministry, and that his name should not appear in the list of Congregational ministers.
 }. That in case MT. Arthur promptly resigns his pastoral office the church make such financial arrangements with. him as are just and equitable.
 3. That the church amend its stand ing rules so far as to make them con- form to the statutes of Connecticut and approve Congregational usage.
 4. That in the future the church en- gage no one as it's pastor without first making diligent inquiry as to his min- isterial standing and past record.
 5. That the church restore to fellow ship Mrs. J. s. Lane.
 6.That the church secure as soon as practicable an approved Christian minister; and that all the members lay aside all bitterness and strife, and seek, from this time on, to live in all charity and mutual helpfulness, as be- comes the gospel of Christ.
 Council be sent to the parties in the case. and that a copy of the result be deposited in Memorial Hall, Hartford.
 It was voted that thanks be extend ed to the officers of the council and to the Congregational church of South Norwalk for the use of their church for meetings of the council
 The following churches were called in council:
 Bridgeport 1st, Stamford, New Ca naan, Round Hill Georgetown, Green field Hill, Darien. Norwa1k 1st, Greens Farms. Sound Beach, Pilgrim, Ridge field, Black Rock, Danbury 1st, Bridge port 2d. Brookf1eld Center, Wilton, Westport, Southport, South Norwalk, Bedding, Greenwich 1st, Bridgeport West End Bethel FairfeId