The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-13
AMERICANS NOT WANTED
BAN PUT on UNITED STATES CITI-
ZENS BY A BOSTON CHURCH.
Constitution Re;yur tIcd by Reformed
Presbyterinns as immoral I'm Not
recognizing God.

Boston Letter IN St Louis Post-Dispatch.
Because ne became a citizen Of the United
States and swo.e 10 uphold the Constitu-
lion OF his adopted country. James Jack
sen, Of 272 Broadway. Cambridge. has been
suspended from membership in the Second
Reformed Presbyterian Church OF Boston
by Rev. J. NJ Foster. the pastor. and the
New York Presbytery Of the church at its
fall meeting held in Boston last week con-
firmed the sentence, refusing TO sanction
the action of Rev S. G. Shaw. pastor OF the
First Reformed Presbyterian Church OF
Cambridge, in admitting Mr.. Jackson to
membership in his congregation after his
suspension.
Mr.. Jackson is a native of Scotland and
came 10 this country in 1890. He had al
ways been a member of the Reformed Pres
byterian Church and at once joined Mr..
Fosters flock. where he was considered a
member in good standing until January
last
at the beginning OF the year he was elect
ed an elder of the church. All elders are
obliged to undergo an examination as TO
their fitness for the honor and responsible
ties conferred upon them, and IL was while
he was being examined that the fact leaked
out that Mr.. Jackson had become a citizen
uphold its Constitution a year before.
Mr.. Jackson explained that his wife had
made a visit 10 her folks at home during
the year 1900 and that he had simply be-
come a citizen in order to avoid any ques-
ton that might arise as 10 her right TO land
here on her return, but TO no purpose. Mr..
jackson must acknowledge his wrong doing
and repent or leave the church. Mr.. Jack
son contended that he had done no wrong,
so he was suspended from membership. He
soon found refuge in a church OF the same
denomination in Cambridge and has since
been a regular attendant there.
But his troubles We're not to be got rid
of so easily. AS soon as Mr.. Foster learned
that the First Reformed Presbyterian
church OF Cambridge had admitted Mr..
Jackson to membership he drew up COM
plant to the presbytery of the church
After devoting a full day 70 discussion
and considera ton OF the cause the presby-
terry sustained the complaint and ordered
! the Cambridge church 10 reverse its ac-
! ton. thus placing Mr.. Jackson once more
unCer suspension.
When seen by a reporter Mr.. Jackson de-
| clined to discuss the case. J am sorry *
| has got into the papers," he said, but
am content TO let Mr.. Foster 90 the taxi
ing for the present. The matter IS by no
means ended. however. but do not care
to make public at this time the steps that
l shall take to preserve my rights.
The mere statement of the case as II
| stands puts ii in an altogether wrong
| light" explained Mr.. Foster, when the cor
! respondent called at his house. 1T Is true
that we look on the Constitution Of the
/ an insult TO the Almighty in that II makes
/ no mention whatever Of God and claims for
the people that sovereign power which be-
I'VE claim TO be just as good citizens as
any other people within it's borders and we
| are just as anxious for its prosperity
! anybody else, and in refusing 10 accept the
Constitution as ii stands we simply show
! our allegiance to the source of all power
! and good"
The question of acknowledging the Con-
/ stitution of the United States. Mr.. Foster
explained, has been a bone of contention in
the Reformed Presbyterian Church for.
great many years. AS early 1913 the de-
/ nomination was split in half by the re-
| fusal of thirty ministers and large per-
! centage of members to conform TO this
! rule, the Withdrawing members forming
what was known as the New Light Cow
Rev. Mr.. Foster says the antagonism OF
his church to the naturalization of citizens
| is not directed alone against the United
/ States government.
eve have missionaries in Turkey Syria
| and Cyprus" he says, and they hold the
same attitude toward those governments
that we do in this country We have
churches in Ireland Scotland and else
where, and our attitude is the same
Mr.. Foster was asked about the attitude
of the members Of his church in voting for
an amendment to the Constitution in case
such one as he faVOrs should be pro-
posed. He answered that somewhat sim
| liar question had come up in the synod of
1899. when a resolution was adopted de-
munion to vote for prohibition amendments
was not TO enter completely with the God
| less Constitution. He said that most men,
| bers vote on moral questions.
Speaking again Of the case Of Mr. Jack
! son, Rev. Mr.. Foster said: II didn't know
| that Mr.. Jackson had been naturalized un-
til in examining him last January, when he
was about to be ordained elder. The
| question put in the ordinary way, and.
| much to my surprise, he answered that he
had been naturalzed. He would not say
that he was sorry for having transgressed
the rules of the church, nor would he adj
NIT that he had done wrong.
What would have been required or him
to enable him to be ordained? Must he
have renowned his allegiance?"
"Oh no: not at all. The only thing re-
qured Of him would have been the admis-
| sion that he was sorry for having broken
the rules OF the church. He could not
| have renounced his allegiance, and we
| should not have asked him to-
Rev Mr.. Fosters action has stirred up
| considerable feeling between the congrega-
| ton Of his church and that OF the First
Reformed Church i'm Cambridge. and II
| NAV end in one of the bitterest Reformed
! Presbyterian contests that has been waged
since the split among the members of that
faith in 1888.