The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-11
TO TRY A CLERGYMAN
The Minneapolis Presbytery Takes
Up the Richter Case.
CHARGES TO BE BROUGHT
Mr.. Richter Will Be Accused of
Accepting Pay From
H. Brewers. '-r

Steps toward placing Rev. Louis Rich
ter on trial were taken at meeting OF
the Minneapolis presbytery at Westmin-
ster church yesterday. Mr.. Richter
was recently dropped from the rolls of
the Presbyterian Ministers Association
owing to his admitted connection with a
local brewery. Pending the concuslion
of the trial. Mr.. Richter has been sus-
pended from the exercise of ministerial
functions and from the right to partici-
pate in the deliberations of the presby-
terry.
A committee of five was appointed by
the chair to carry the prosecution to its
final issue. This committee will formu-
late and report charges at an adjourned
meeting next Monday at 10 a. m. This
will give the defense about ten days be-
fore the regular April meeting in which
to prepare an answer.
The prosecuting is made up thus: Rev.
Stanley B. Roberts, chairman; Rev. John
e. Bushnell, Rev. John B. Helwig, Charles
T. Thompson, R. D. Cone.
The resolution which brought the long
discussed matter to a head was passed as
follows:
Whereas. Louis Richter, a minister Of the
gospel of the Presbyterian church, in the
United States of America, and member of
this presbytery, has been accused by COM
mon fame of doctrine and practice in rea-
ton to the saloon and the use of intoxicating
liquors which doctrine and practice, it is
claimed, are contrary to the deliverance of the
general assembly on the subject; and 1t is
also claimed that this doctrine, and practice
tempts others to sin and mar their spiritual
edifcation; and.
Whereas, said Richter has also been accused
by common fame of violating his ordination
old c,,hin 10 in
the Lord and to maintain the peace and purity
Of the church, by persisting in such doctrine
and practice after having been repeatedly
urged by his brethren to desist therefrom, and
after having been warned that such doctrine
and practice were disturbing the purity and
peace of the truth church; and,
Whereas this judicatory believes it to: be
necessary for the ends of discipline to in
yestigate these alleged offences; belt
Resolved q That the prosecution OF said
Louis Richter for such ofenses be initiated
by this presbytery in the name OF the Presby-
terrain Church in the United States OF Amer
lea; and that q committee OF five from the
members Of this body be appointed to conduct
the prosecution in all its stages in what
ever iudicatory, until the final Issue be
reached.
Mr.. Richter will undoubtedly be his own
counsel. He may have as counsel no
one except member Of the presbytery
to represent him in the ecclesiastical
trial. In case of appeal the matter Is TAX
en- to the state synod, and in turn to the
general assembly, the present court OF
last appeal.
vote ON Overtures.
The presbytery voted afirmatlyely on
eight overtures handed down by the gen.
eral assembly: These refer to the in
stitution Of permanent judicial COM
mission Of the general assembly as a
final court of appeal, instead of the as
sembly itself, as at present; to the bring,
ing of all organizations of particular
church under the direct supervision of the
session. and to the supervision of all
offerings of the Sunday school, societies
and agencies Of the church by the session,
also OF the giving for objects other than
those of the Presbyterian church.
Rev w. J. Palm, who is working at
Grand Rapids, Mimi, was dismissed to
the presbytery Of Duluth.s
Charles T. Thompson announced that
preparations were being made to 1ncor-
porate the Minneapolis presbytery in or
der that under the laws Of the state it
might hold property The property Of
three churches which it has been decided
to disband because no services have been
held for years, must be taken over by
some body These churches are the First
Norwegian the First Swedish and the
Emmanuel Swedish at Camden Place.
/ - = . i 7.