The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-07-04

dll dlleSeu llDeliOuS SldteIleHt WHICH thC
defendant is charged with writing and
circulating.
Rev. William F. Davies was some
years ago the pastor of the First Welsh
Baptist church, but there came a dis
sension in the congregation and the
party that was with the pastor founded
the Memorial Baptist and took the
membership of the old church in the
Welsh Baptist Association of North
eastern Pennsylvania. The old church
secured membership in the Abingdon
Baptist association.
In September. 1901, Rev. J. Vaughan
Davies, who had for several years been
doing ministerial work in the Indian
territory, was secured as pastor of the
First Baptist church and was subse-
quently installed. He alleges that since
he became pastor, Rev. William F. Da-
vies has shown an unfriendly DISPOSE
tion toward him. The statement in the
case filed yesterday by Attorney John
F. Scragg, who represents the plaintiff,
follows:
THE STATEMENT.
j. Vaughan Davies, being duly sworn
according to law, deposes and says that
at the time of the committing by Will
liam l.. Davies of the grievances herein
after mentioned. the afiiant was and for
twenty-five years prior therto had been a
clergyman according to the rules and re-
since Sept. s. 1901, had been pastor of the
West Market Street Welsh Baptist
church of the city of Scranton, Lacka-
wanan county, Pa.
That during this period the affiant has
enjoyed the confidence, esteem and re-
spect of his parishioners. fellow clergy
men and of the community in general.
That the aftiant has proper credentials
from the church of which he was pastor
before being called to the pastorate of
the First Welsh Baptist church afore-
said, and was regularly and legally in
stalled as pastor of the said church. That
his credentials We're at all times ready
for the inspection of any person desiring
to see the same. and were produced at
the installation ceremonies. when your af-
fiant was installed pastor. including
mention of presentation Of said creden-
tials, and your affiant believes that Will
liam +. Davies had knowledge thereof,
and were always ready to be submitted
to anyone If requiring an inspection of
the same.
Said atfiant has certificate from the
Welsh Baptist Association of Northeast
ern Pennsylvania of which association
the said Welsh Baptist church of Ma
hanoy City was a member, to the Bap-
lists of Indian Territory, certifying that
the aiiiant has been member of the
said Welsh Baptist Association of Penn
sylvania for some years and that he has
moved to Indian Territory to engage in
ministerial work. ''We desire to recon-
menr him to the Baptists of that sec
tion as a minister of Jesus Christ and
BROTHER in full fellowship with us"
A ID III
This certificate is signed on behalf OF
said Welsh Baptist Association of North
eastern Pennsylvania by f. Edwards,
moderator. and by the defendant in this
suit. William +. Davies as clerk. And
in every respect affiant has fully COM
piled with all the requirements necessary
to constitute him a regular pastor of the
said First Welsh Baptist church Of
Scranton. In accordance with the rules
and regulations of the denominations in
which he was ordained.
Affiant further saith that William +.
Davies resides at 1905 Summit avenue,
Scranton. Pa, well knowing the premises
and intending to iniure affiant and to
deprive ainant of his good name in his
official position as pastor of the church
aforesaid, and further wickco'y intending
to cause the affiant to be removed from
his said office as clergyman of the said
stsEdlng in the community and to bring
him into disgrace and reproach to the
Welsh Baptist church of MahanOy City,
Pa, and to atlantis fellow clergymen.
and members of said denomination and
the general public, on tho 18th day Of
March last past, and in the city of Scran-
ton, I.ackawanna county, Pa. and at
divers other times, did falsely. malicious
ly and illegally make and publish of and
concerning the afliant as a Clergyman and
pastor of the Welsh Baptist church a fore
said, the following false. scandalous, ille-
gal, defamatory and malicious writing
and libel. In substance as follows:
THE LETTER,
John " Davies (affiant named) has no
standing In. and is not recognized by the
association to which your church and
ours belong. Every one must produce cer-
dentials when coming 10 our churches
from anywhere outside of this associa-
tion. John v. Davies has not done this.
You may be ignorant of this fact So
now deal with him as II seemeth best to
you. The responsibility and consequences,
whatever they may be, will be yours as u
church." meaning by the said libel or
charge that the afiiant was an imposter
and not legally qualified by the rules and
regulations of the Baptist church as a
pastor, and was fraudulently, wickedly
and with evil design imposing upon and
holding himself forth as a pastor regu-
larly ordained by the West Market street
church. known as the First Welsh Baptist
church and to the public generally.
And affiant further saith that the said
libel was published I'm a letter to the
Mahanoy City Welsh Baptist church.
and that said charge In said writing con-
tanned against affiant is false and that
afhant is i'm good standing as a Baptist
m M ial AaI