The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-21
UGLY CHURCH QUARREL
FORMAL CHARGES AGAINST REV. +.
G. PARISH DRAWN UP.
Minister'S Domestic Troubles Involved
Factions i'm sOuth-street Bap-
fist Congregation.

tASI OOnS hAOA
The ~South-street Baptist Church is in the
throes Of an ugly church quarrel that has
resulted in one faction of the congregation
asking for a church council to consider
formal charges made against the pastor,
Rev. Frederick G.. Parish. Whether or not
the council will convene Wednesday, Feb.
%, as requested, remains to be seen. The
opposition to the pastor is confident that
the charges will be sustained, while he and
his friends appear to be equally confident
that the council win not meet at all. The
trouble has been brewing several weeks and
seems to be the result largely Of the pastors
domestic troubles His wife has seen fit to
separate from him, it is said, and he is
boarding in a private family on Fletcher
avenue Last night there was a meeting
attended by about fifty members of the
church, at which Deacons Law, Gardner
and Bryant recommended that formal
charges be placed before the council against
the pastor as follows:
Charge l.. Unehristian conduct toward
Mrs. Parish, his wife.
Charge 2. Other conduct very unbecom-
ing in a minister of the gospel"
The charges were adopted by a vote Of all
those present save the clerk of the church,
Mr.. Sherwood, who protested on behalf Of
himself and the faction that disbelieves the
charges against the pastor. After the meet
ing, which was prolonged until a late hour,
Rev. Mr.. Parish was seen at his boarding
house, whittier he went from a meeting Of
the Bible class that was being held in an
other part of the church while his opponents
were calmly discussing his fate. Mr.. Par
ish, when appraised of the action that was
taken and after the formal charges that
had been made against him were read to
him, said that he did not care to discuss the
unfortunate conditions for publication. He
simply said that he felt sure that the coun-
Gil which had been asked for would not
convene at all, and that he would be COM
pletely indicated in time. In his estima-
tion the whole trouble grows out Of a per-
sonal dislike for him and out of the fact
that there has been trouble in his domestic
relations, which he did not care to discuss.
My wife," said he, has seen fit to with
draw from me temporarily, at least, and my
enemies nav taken advantage of that fact.
The meeting tonight represented only an
insignificant portion of the church. Its pro-
ceedings are illegal, and l do not believe
that it's action will be recognized. Under
the usage of the Baptist Church, which is
very democratic, a majority is supposed to
rule. Three times l have resigned. but my
resignation was rejected by a large major
ity of the church. There is a faction, as
you have doubtless observed Tonight, that
is against me. AS you have learned, a
meeting was held Feb. 2 at which the first
discussion came up. Both that meeting and
the one of last night were illegal, as a weeks
notice of any business meeting is required
After prayer meeting two weeks ago,
without any previous notice, the first. action
was taken, to the surprise OF all my friends.
Yesterday Sunday a majority of the dea-
cons called another meeting for last night
without the required weeks notice. There
10 70 no annfhnF Meeting Thursday night
that was called by seven members over a
week ago, as is required. AT that meeting,
1 presume, q committee that was appointed
in accordance with our laws to consider the
trouble several weeks ago Will make a re-
port. Until that committee has made its re-
port no legal call for a council could DO
made. If that committee finds that the
charges against me need to be further in
v~estigated then it will be proper for the
Mr.. Parish seemed to believe that the COM
mittee appointed some weeks ago would ex-
onerate him from all blame, ana that as a
result of its finding the council would re-
fuse to hear the charges made against him,
He said hat as a matter of fact a large
number Of those present at the meeting last
night were themselves under charges, some
of them Of a serious character, and that
while those charges were pending those
members had no right to vote.
The meeting last night was entirely one
sided. Mr.. Nichols acted as moderator pro
tenn. in the absence ofNthe pastor. Mr.. Sher-
wood protested against the legality of the
meeting held Feb. 2, and on motion the min
utes of hat meeting, calling for a council
to investigate the 'rumors" against Mr..
Parish. were read by Moderator Nichols.
Then followed a report from the deacons
who had first asked for the council, rec
ommending that the word "rumors" be
changed to charges" as formally set
out above. To all this Mr.. Sherwood OBJ
jected, and on motion of Mr.. Bonham, a
secretary pro tenn. was appointed, who, on
q suspension of the rules, was directed TO
make up the minutes of last nights meet
ing to file with the council. On Mr.. Bon
hams motion the meeting last night rati-
fed all the action taken at the first meet
ing. 1t was commended that last nights
meeting had been regularly called and the
constitution was read, emphasis being laid
on the section governing business meetings,
which provides for four each year, and says
that special meetings may be held on the
call of the deacons or trustees, no refer
ence being made to a weeks notice being
required. Inquiries were made last night
as TO whether those present ought to attend
the meeting Thursday night and vote. It
was advised for every one to come himself
and bring another member, but TO refrain
from voting, as voting would be "a virtual
admission of the legality of the meeting,
which is denied on the ground that the con-.
stitution does not provide that seven or
more" members Of the church can call
special business meetings. There was con
siderable CONSERVATION after the meeting
adjourned and il was discovered that a. re-
porter was present, and a number OF the
ladies present were real indignant at the
knowledge that the quarrel could not be
suppressed.
After the meeting II was admitted by
members Of the a~nti-pastor faction that DR..
Parish had resigned twice and that his
resignation had been voted down by a ma
jority present, but it was asserted that no
formal notice that such action was to be
taken had been given, else the result would
have been different. 1t was also asserted
that he had sent a third written resigna-
ton, in which he asserted that his action
was final, and that he not only withdrew
from the pastorate and membership in the
church, but also from the denomination. 1t
WAS said that he Kent a promise 10 1ur0lSn
a supply" one Sunday and that he was then
seeking to hire a hall from which TO preach.
His third letter OF resignation, II was said,
he had himself Withdrawn, after 1t had been
spread Of record. without authority Of the
church,