New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-13
FIND PASTOR GUILTLESS.
Conspiracy against the ReU. n. b.
MacLaurin, Sag Investigators.

The Rev. Archibald B. MacLaurin, pastor Of the
Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. was vindicated
yesterday OF the charges brought against him by
members Of his congregation in a report of the
permanent council of the Baptist Church. This
report was read before the Baptist Ministers Con-
ference at the Madison Avenue Baptist Church yes
terday.
About three months ago Mrs. Murdoch McPher-
son. Miss Kate Woodruff, Miss Emma Blakely,
James r. Smith Miss Fannie Lord and several
other members of the Rev Mr.. MacLaurin's church
brought various charges against their pastor. He
charged with intoXication and actions IN
becoming a minister"
At a meeting of the board of deacons of the
church some weeks later testimony was heard
from both factions. and the minister was eX-
onerated by a vote of to 2 The persons who had
brought the charges expelled from member
ship at a business meeting of the church later.
Not content with the findings of the board of
deacons, the expelled members brought the charges
before the members Of the Permanent Council Of
the Baptist Church. and the Rev. DR. Robert
Stuart Macarthur, DIT. D. G. Hughes, DR.. A. Lin
coin Moore and DR.. w. J. Swafleld were appointed
a committee to make investigation The report
yesterday the result OF their investigation
Of the charges
They find first that the supporters of the pastor
contrary TO what the committee had been led to
suppose comprise the strongest members of the
church socially. intellectually, financially and
ligiously' It continues:
There Is no desire whatever to reflect the
those particgars but II IS quite certain that the
most critical comparison is made between them and
the opposers OF the pastor and the church. Those
a gratifying degree They created most favora-
bic impression on the minds of your committee
! There WAS 40 asperity in their testimony and no
/ bitterness in their manner. Unfortunately, the
| other side at times acrlnony was as conspicuous
| religious work Of the church is constantly going
| forward.
| The committee hnd that the charge of iutoxca-
/ ton against the pastor is sustained It says:
| Direct testimony IN support of the charge was.
incOnclusiNe. Part Of this testimony might be
! characterized as ludcrously puerile.
According TO the report the charge of SANDER is
\ not sustained There was much talking, too
| much indeed" by both sides of the church. Much
OF this speech was pungent and mordant a
grettable degree" the report continues. 1T is
quite certain that much Of the language often used
| between these church members was seasoned with
| decidedly secular sauces rather than with the
| The charge of unbecoming language which hap
! pened at the home of one OF the church families
| was also found 10 be unsustained. The testimony
| some facts IN the possession OF the committee
show The record OF some of the pastors opponents
| 10 be 'unsayory." The anti MacI.aurin members
! are harshly criticised for employing a lawyer.
sleclhcauon was sustained; that DIR. MacLaurin
was treated with unkindness and injustice by
member a, least carried his photograph from
| saloon to saloon in the hope that some barkeeper
been drinking at hts bar; that apparently a con-
| splIacy was formed different persons acting as
tatoR."
When seen at her home last night Mrs Murdoch
| Mcpherson said:
| / am surprised in "A way but then am not The
result surely did Justify grounds. DIT Mac
decide in s favor Al the ad o GeTaay
sons favorable To the minister allowed 10 tes-
Kate woodruff will take Up The mater IN The oart
ana then. think. justice will DO obtained.