Richmond planet., 1901-08-10

came public document and as a mart of |
the church as much my property as any
other members property.
Brother Mitchell read from Church
Polity Page l7S, Note T. If a member
attempts TO bring before the church, or
In any other way make public, any mat |
ter OF private grief or offense, before he
mas tully pursued the above course, &C
cordlng TO the Gospel rule, he makes
hlmsen . an offender thereby-subject to
labor and disciplined
DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR ANY LAW.
Brother Mitchell WIS here interrupt
ed by the moderator, Tom H. Briggs,
who said
Brother Mitchell, this church doesn't
want to hear any more of that church
polity. That aint the part they want
to hear. You read this. I rule that
you can't read any more of il here.
Then followed the greatest confusion.
Deacon Harrison Smith declared the
course of the chair to be scandalous.
Brother William Henry Davisl. ii
move that Brother Smith be si'enced.
WAITED FOR ORDER
Brother Mitchell waited for order.
guard at the penitentiary during the Re-
adjuster rule was recognized, over all of
the others and in a sing-song voice said:
Brother Mitchell had published the
proceedings of this church in his paper
from Maine TO Mexico and l move that
he be made TO come forward and ask
pardon of this church"
Brother John Mitchell, Jr., called the
attention of Brother Tom II. Briggs that
by a vote of the church he had the floor
in his own defense, he had not been
able to take up his case, in fact, had not
spoken fifteen minutes, all told, being
interrupted either by the chair or the
brethren on the floor.
RESTED IT ON THE BIBLE.
He rested his case OH the Holy Bible.
Every parliamentarian knew, according
20 Hlscock's guide, motion could not
be made while he held the floor. Broth
er mitchell never lost his temper, but
was quiet and respectful throughout.
Sister Mildred A. Cross, who had been
an interested spectator, denounced the
proceedings as the most disgraceful she
had ever seen.
''It was" she declared, "worse than a
minstrel show. Brother Mitchell had
not been treated properly and all knew
it,
BROTHER CROSS ANGRY.
She was interrupted by Brother Will
iam Henry Davis, who moved that she
be silenced. He acted in a measure like
madman, until Brother David r.
Cross, her husband moved in that direc-
tlon with an evident intention of pro-
tectlng his wife. Then she was permit
ted TO proceed. Her ringing utterances
produced profound sensation.
The chair refused TO recognized a mo-
ton TO adjourn and put the question de-
claring il carried.
WANTED HIM TO ASK PARDON.
Moderator Briggs, "Nothinp is i'm or
der but for Brother Mitchell TO come
forward and ask pardon"
Brother Briggs waited, finally looking
in the direction of Brother Mitchell urg-
ed him to come forward
Brother II. +. Jonathan fastened TO
the side of Brother Mitchell.
Then Brother Mitchell stated that he
would come forward if the chair desired
There was silence at once and Broth
er Mitchell announced that he came
for ward to continue his defense. He
had not committed any crime and was
not guilty of any public offense.
The church had voted TO hear him
and had not done so. He did not recog-
nize the motion to ask pardon. 1t was
ont of order.
CALL To EXCLUDE
Brother Briggs, Brethren, he will not
ask pardon and the church must exer-
else its authority.
Brother Nelson Williams, Ir., who
forged the names TO the application for
the meeting said, ''I move that the right
hand of fellowship be withdrawn from
Brother Mitchell" 1t was seconded
The question was put.
Then followed a scene long to be re-
membered. Deacon J. Q. Farley. Broth
er III. F. Jonathan, Deacon Harrison
Smith, Deacon r. ], Bass, Brother Rd-
mund Warner Deacon Jas. Wilder arose
and in impassioned language warned
the church against such step.
NEVER SAW SUCH A PROTEST.
The oldest member had never seen
such an emphatic protest.
Finally Deacon James Wilder was
recognized and with voice choked with
emotion he declared that the church
would not in five years recover from
such a step.
This young man has not committed
murder. He is guilty of no heinous
crime and to exclude him would be
wrong.
A REMARKABLE SCENE.
Then came cries of sit down. Votel
Question: Question: And stin Deacon
Wilder pleaded. He had been on the
other side, but he claimed that such a
step would injure the church. "Oh
yes, he said sadly, "like the Jews, you
cry, Cruelty him."
Then followed Deacon Benjamin Har-
ris, one of the Oldest Deacons In the
church. Don't do that, brethrenl Stop
and consider, the church is in error.
You have not heard Brother Mitchell.
warn You against such action. In vain
he pleaded.
Brother Richard Carter pleaded with
uplifted hands.
Then followed Brother W. H. Ander-
son, who declared that Brother Mitchell