The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-10-03
Congregational Minister Of Mount
Pleasant Dropped From List
at Meeting Held Recent
~ at Denmark.
AFTERMATH IS COMING
Former Members Of His Church Are
Accused Of Being Back Of the
Action end Regular Polar
Controversy Promised.

At the Congregational meeting held
at Denmark recently, Rev. Benjamin
Staunton of Mt. Pleasant had his name
stricken from the rolls. 1t seems that
the action is likely to start contro-
versy greater than the one over the
North pole and that there is trouble
ahead for the Denmark Association
over the case. The Mt Pleasant News
starts the ball rolling as follows:
We had a talk with Rev. Benz
staunton yesterday relative to the ac-
ton of the Denmark Association in
striking his name from the rolls of
the association because he had not
proved to the officials of that body
that he was legally ordained minis
ter of the gospel. In reply to our
questions regarding the matter, Rev.
Staunton was very frank and stated
that the whole matter was railroaded
through by his enemies to embarrass
him in his work here, and he intimat-
ed that when the fuss was over his
friends would be more loyal than ever
and some of his enemies would be so
ashamed of the action of some of their
comrades in arms that they would,
out of self-respect, give up the fight.
Rev. Staunton stated that all talk
on his not being a regularly ordained
minister of the gospel was mere rot
His ordination papers are regularly
on file with the clerk of the court of
Dane county, Wis, as required by law.
and he has a certified copy in his pos
session to show to those who question
his right to assume ministerial duties.
His name has appeared unchallenged
for succession of years in the Con.
gregational Year Book, the official or
gan Of the church. and the present
charges were never heard of until
brought against him by former mem
bers of his church. If any one has the
slightest doubt as to his authority to
assume the duties of regularly or
dained minister of the gospel If any
OF those whom he has united in mar
riage have any uneasiness over their
matrimonial status, he will be only too
glad to furnish them with abundant
evidence of the foolishness of these
charges against him.
AS to his reasons why he declined
to meet the demands of the Denmark
Association he stated that the story
would be a tale of intrigue and of per-
secution that would be as ridiculous as
it was unchristian that the details
were perfectly familiar to the mem
bers of his congregation and that nc
good would come by calling names. He
stated however. that the action of the
Denmark Association was illegal and
would not stand before the next sen
sion of the association when the
whc'e matter will be inquired into
The action Of the association was TAX
en- at the very first session before
many of the delegates were present
and even before the delegate Of thu
church here arrived. None of thu
strong churches of the association
were present but they are being hear,
from in no uncertain language. Rev
Stanton states that he has not ad
vised with his church as to future &C
ton, but will let his own members an
the members of the association choos
their own course. From what can b
learned, however, it is evident tina
something will be doing shortly.
AS to the condition of the church
Rev. Staunton stated that there is If
tie to be desired Although with
smaller congregation there Is abs,
lutte harmony and splendid team worl
which counts in any church. The GU
rent expenses OF the church are PAL
with ease. and the benevolences Of tn