Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-19
South Ottumwa Baptists Will Not
Expel "Dissenters."
ADOPT DEACONS' RECOMMENDATION
Claimed That Result of Last Nights
Business Session Will Cause Re.
hearing of Case for Retention of
Pastor-Deacons Investigate.
From Tuesdays Daily.

Upon the recommendation of the
deacons the members of the South OF
tumwa Baptist church took action at
business meeting held last evening
withdrawing the motion for the eX-
pulsion OF the fourteen members who
refused to concur in the decision of
the majority of the congregation for
the retention of the pastor, Rev. John
HASTE. This action was the result of
an investigation by the deacons of the
church concerning the rights OF the
congregation to expel any OF its mem
bers because they hold different views
in regard to the church policy.
1t is stated by one of the members
of the church that owing to misun-
derstanding motion made last eve
ming to have rehearing of the case
for the retention of the pastor, was
lost, but it is expected that an en-
deavor will be made to bring the ques.
ton up for consideration at the regu-
lar business meeting of the congrega-
ton March 2.
The question considered last evening
was the result of the attempt made
two weeks ago to secure the resigna
ton of the pastor. Rev. John HASTE
when the members with the exception
OF fourteen voted for his retention An
attempt was made at the time to make
the vote unanimous and owing to the
persistent opposition Of the fourteen
members could not be accomplished
and resulted in the action being taken
to secure the expulsion of the fourteen
"diSSenters."
Deacons Investigate.
As a result of the action the deacons
of the church were instructed to look
into the question of the authority of
the church for the expulsion of a men,
Der. The fourteen members against
whom this action was attempted pre-
pared statement of their case which
was submitted to the deacons. The
| statement is as follows:
"Ottumwa. Iowa, February 16 1903.
! SIC the deacors of the South Ottumwa
| Baptist church.
I'VE, the undersigned members OF Iour
| church, have taken he action Of the
church on last Monday evening of cxpell
| ing us from the church for not voting to
make the vote unanimous to retain Rev.
| HASTE as pastor of our church. under ad-
| visemcnt. The matter was finally refer
red to you for two weeks for investigation
to be taken up Monday evening February
| 16, 1908.
'Now. we wish to set out our reasons
in taking the steps we did in reference to
a change of pastors. We sincerely he!iev-
| ed on account of the dissatisfaction in the
| church that change of pastors would
he uniting feature in bringing the church
| together. No one will deny the fact that
thcic was considerable dissatisfaction and
discomfort among the members Of the
phltrab which NJ; syip tod m n,p Of n
diffe renee of opinion, some time past us
! to n change.
ut has been stated that those who ex
] pressed themselves at that time in favor
of a change did so through personal enmi
| ty and were not working through motives
which were for the good of the church and
4 that it was only through Il personal grCv
ance against Mr.. Hastie. Let us say that
we do not sanction one word of the above
statement
"Our reasons for believing that a change
of pastors Mt this time would he beneficial
to the church is that we believe that II
would alleviate The unsettled state of thu
church and that it would bring about
cooperation of he two factions Which I,
now exist. In 50 much as a change o.
pastors is the sole cause for the contel,
ticr. we sincerely believed that it woulC
be he Only means of bringing the chrrcl
together IS q body. Evidently this bein.
our candid opinion and having taken i
to the proper executives of the church i
is entirely right and fair, This is VIVA
has prompted us to proceed as we have.
Now it has been the sentiment of thu
church to accuse of assailing Mr.. HASTE
personally and To be working against tn
advancement of the church and cause, an;
not only this but trying to undermine NJ
that is good within the church and tina
we ara actuatcd by hypocritical motives
You may say that it is not the church
intention to leave such an impression. Ii
this event why it is that there should ~
any such a spirit manifested as prcyaile,
in the meeting last Monday evening w
are speaking now of the church which yo,
are expecting lis to endorse by voting t.
make the above mentioned vote unanimous
Remember now that it is TIL
church of Christ whose laws yo,
are executing. Do not lot selfsl
supremacy drive Won to make laws and cx
, ccute them for his church. We honestl
; believe that that it is not the good o
the church or Mr.. HASTE that numbe
of those in favor of this action are irwin
to defend. but their own personal spleen
All we are asking in this matter is wha
we believe to be right before God and
/ the deacons of this church will make
, clear before our minds where the Shirt G
! Christ prevailed in the hearts of the pee
, pie who have called us to account an
a VINO are Ill HIrlllOHN WIFI the -cnufcn q
Christ, the South ottumwa Baptist church
on Monday night Feb. .. we are each an
all ready and willing to acknowledge oul
selves In contempt to the church an
wrong in the sight of God.
T I'VE do respectfully ask that the Dcs
cons cite us their authority within TIL
q laws of the Baptist church where il
legal for the church 20 compel membc
, to vote n certain way or vote to make
vote unanimous which is the only charg
\ you make against us. We are perfect
willing to concede this fact if the prope
authority is cited.
LAS to the covenant of the church W
7. will say that we are perfectly willing I
abide by it and we do not believe that W
r are violating our covenant when we refus
to submit to that which we believe, to |,
void of the spirit of Christ and to L
j. wrong.
" I'VE do not consider that we have ha
G Il fair hearing before the church. III
= prevailing and suppressing attitude whic
: was taken at the meeting last Mondn
o evening by the majority of the church. il
II 6uenced by the premeditated plans an
r schemes of few, made 1t impossible fl
d us to explain our position to the churc
c We would respectfully ask of the deacon
= of this church that we be granted n hea
ing before the church that we may ha,
a a chance to set forth the facts which i
Il duced us to take the stand we have The