Richmond planet., 1901-08-10

whether he was called to the bhurch as
John Mitchell, Jr., the member, or as
John Mitchell, Jr., the publisher. The
chair responded that he was c$lled there
as a member.
Then" responded Brother Mitchell,
"I enter general denial to the charge"
BROTHER MITCHELL AND THE FIRST STEP.
He arose and stated that he would
read the law called for by Brother II. f.
Jonathan and which the Moderator
Tom Briggs would not permit the clerk
to read. It could be found ON page 1876,
section lst and 2d and was as follows:
THE FIRST STEP.
1. The first member who has
N Dwledge of the offense should, the
same as in private cases, seek the of.
fender and, if possible, remove the diff
Guilty
True, he is under no special obliga-
ton TO do this simply because he chanc-
ed to be the first to learn the facts.
But if he can win a brother from his
evil way, and remove a reproach from
the Church, such would be work of
faith and a labor of love, with which
any Christian might feel greatly salts
fed.
THE REASONS GIVEN.
This personal labor should be under
taken because each member of the body
suffers in any wrong inflicted on the
body, and because such personal efforts
are often the most effectual should there
be many individual efforts, by many
members at the same time, aiming at
the same end; so much the more effec-
tual would it be.
pt,f ~ no ono ror1 or will r,a,vc,,a tl,,,
course of personal private labor. or if
such course should prove Unsuccessful
then should the one who has knowledge
of il consult the pastor and deacons-or
il as in some churches, thers be a pru-
Dental committee for such purposes, re-
fer it to them, and leave it 70 their judg-
ment as to what further course should
be taken.
THE LAST RESORT.
II they viii not notice the tlas4ter this
brother could bring It up at INC next
business Church meeting. Bat even
then it would be well not TO give names
and facts, but say a case deserved atten-
| ton, and ask that committee be ap-
pointed TO which facts would be refer.
red.
All such cases should be kept out of
the church and managed privately so
long as there seems hope of an effectual
settlement by that means"
Brother Mitchell stated that this course
had not been pursued. No one had visi-
ted him. He had only received the writ
ten communication referred TO-
DEACON PowELL's PLEA.
Deacon John S. Powell, one of the
most conservative members in the.church
arose and asked Brother Mitchell TO Weld
| for a motion. He consented TO do this.
He then announced that it was plain
| to him that the church had erred. The
whole proceedings was out of order.
He moved to dismiss the case. 1t
was seconded. Moderator Tom H Briggs
refused TO put the motion, declaring it
out of .srder. He would not hear any mo-
| ton.
Then pande monium reigned Brother
| II. +. Jonathan denounced the action
of the chair while Deacon j. @. Farley
was equally emphstic. Brother w. S.
Selden declared the chair to be biased
and its actions disgrace TO the church
BROTHER BRIGGS ANGRY
This angered Moderator Thomas H.
| Briggs, who looking over his spectacles
declared he would call on the church to
discipline Brother Selden.
Brother William Henry Davis, whose
conduct disgraced the meeting moved
that Brother Selden be silenced.
This was declared carried although
the chair had but moment before an
nounced 60 Deacon ]. S. Powell that he
| would recognize no motion.
In the meantime Brother John Mitch.
| ell, Jr., waited for order. He offered to
Il rot 70 H. IL
en- five minutes
TRYING TO DISCUSS THE QUESTION.
Othe members attempted to get the
| floor, including Bro. Edmund Warner.
| Sister Young In a loud voice declared
the meeting to be shameful. She insist
ed that Brother Mitchell be allowed to
proceed.
Bro. William Henry Davis, Brother
Moderator, / move that she be silenced. -
He wanted to silence Brother Harrison
Smith and Brother Jonathan. The lat
ter replied that he was already silenced
when his rights were taken from him.
Brother w. II. Anderson protested
against the actions of the chu-ch.
At this point the meeting wasIa veIi
table mob.
Then quiet was in a measure obtained
and Brother Mitchell read from Church
polity, page 1853, section 3.
UPON WHAT IT DEPENDS.
The justification and the effectiveness
of discipline depend not little on the
spirit with which it is exercised.
1t must not be exercised in a spirit of
arrogance, nor of dictation, nor of as
sumed superiority, much less of vindic-
tiveness, but of fraternal solicitude of
gentleness and love. If the impression
be given the offender that there is a dis
position to condemn and punish, the
whole purpose is frustrated.
THE MODERATOR coRNRRED.
He asked Moderator Tom H. Briggs
whether the letter of Rev. w. T. John
son was an official document to the
church. He replied that it was official.
Then remarked Brother Mitchell, it
was public letter and not private one
Even had it been private, when it was