The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-02-18

those in the community who take an
interest in the matter, may know the
circumstances leading up to the
action Of the church in turning out
of church myself, my wife and two
daughters. Mrs. Prather and her
daughter, and to enable them TO form
an opinion in the matter, give be-
low the statement read by me 10 the
church the night on which their &C
tion was taken. After the reading
Of this. with my family left the
church, in order to leave the mem
bers free to deliberate over the mat
ter
Their deliberations (7) took but a
few minutes, as, except on the part
of Bro. J. W. Roney, not word was
said by any other member against
the proposed action.
When these facts are considered I;
that my wife and l are among the
Oldest members Of Hickman Bap-
fist Church, there being not more
than a half dozen who we're in the
church when my wife became men,
Der; that We have done as much, or
more in time, and work, and money
for the church as any member in il I;
that Hickman Baptist Church has NO
RULES OF DEcoRUM OR DISCIPLINE,
and NEVER HAD ANY: that we had
given notice Of our intention to with.
draw from the church and had asked
for letters Of withdrawal, which had
been refused that just as much
coed. or more, would have been ac-
complished by the church in granting
our letters as by excluding US as
they did; that no formal charges
we're brought against US, and no evil
dence taken; that the motion 10 turn
us out on which they voted Wednes-
day night, was made and seconded
a week before, carried over with
out action as unfinished business,
and no invitation whatever extended
US to come and be heard in our de-
tense. And while we went there to
make a statement to the church, il
was not until the matter had been
brought up that we knew that mo-
tion to turn us out was before the
church.
| say, that when these facts are
considered. it will readily be seen
what a gross injustice has been done
US. But, so far as we are concerned,
the matter is now a closed incident.
The case has gone to higher court,
before just judge. "who knoweth all
hearts, and doeth all things we'll"
and whose guiding principle in all
his actions is love, the Spirit Of
Christ, and we await the final ver-
dict in the matter with the calm as
surance that it will be rendered in
that same spirit of love, which led
Jesus, when nailed to the cross, and
suffering untold agony, both IN body
and spirit. to say Father, forgive
them for they know not what they
do"
The statement read to the church
follows;
/ am not here tonight, to confess
my sins to this church. When
have committed an offense against
God. / know 10 whom to 60 for for
giveness with the conscious assurance
that loving Father will grant it, and
that vi der NO circumstances will HE
turn me out OF HIS church. Neither
am | here tonight to justify my ac'
tons. It will be time enough fol
that in case the church should take
such action as to turn US out, aud in
that case. | should, in justice to my
self and family. and in order thai
our friends outside the church and the
community generally should under
stand the matter fully, feel constrain'
ed to publish this statement which
am giving to you tonight. For. my
friends. to be turned out Of church il
no light matter.
But am here tonight as a mem
Der of Hickman Baptist Church