Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1909-08-27

positive a. to his own statement o
the matter.
| III MIR. John Thomas who inter
cepted Rev. Burton testified that Rev
Burton had no chair at the time hi
intercepted him.
+ (c) Fully twelve persons testifieC
that Rev. Burton did not have any
chair ~ al.
s. That after the business meeting
on the night OF July End. Rev, vener
able nied information against Rev
Burton and wife, as the result Of
which trial was held in the Superior
cour. OF Keokuk.
Note: At this time decision In this
case has not yet been rendered.
Z. That after this trial, number
OF people, members Of the Seventh
street Baptist church were notified
by letters in the handwriting of Rev
Venerable with names of pastor and
clerk OF the church attached In the
same handwriting, TO appear before
the church on the evening of July 80,
to answer the charge OF false swear
ing, this charge having been prefer
red because they had testified In the
court that Rev. Burton did not come
toward Rev. Venerable with the chair
in the church business meeting, July
End.
g. That on the night of July 80, an.
other business meeting OF the church
was held attended by about twenty.
Ave (25) persons.
9. That on this night Rev. Burton
was excluded, and also Rev W. F.
Coline,. Mr.. ID. J, Dean Mr.. Athel
Smith AIR. O. D. Smith Mr.. George
Hinch Mrs. NJ. J. Burton and Mrs.
Mary Smith were excluded. Rev. Bur-
ton had not received personal notice
OF any new charges and the others
were excluded upon the charge OF
false swearing as above referred TO,
with some additional charges in in.
dividual cases.
10. That the letter sent to the cor
secretary Of this board no.
tifying him that this meeting could
not be had in the Seventh street
church was not signed or authorized
by all the parties whose names are
subscribed to 1t.
That in the actions herein refer
red to the church has acted upon the
advice of the pastor Rev. w. D. Ven
cradle.
II. That the records of the church
and the testimony of witnesses do not
agree with the statements furnished
the moderator and clerk of the asso.
citation as to the charges upon which
Rev. Burton was excluded.
10. That the charges filed with this
board as those upon which Rev. Bur
ton was excluded do not appear in the
records of the church.
IA. That the following is the record
Of the action of the church in the
case of Rev. Burton:
(a) The report of the board of dea-
cons as given in paragraph 8 of these
findings:
Further as to this the record is: /,
(a) The case of Bro. NJ. J. Burton
was next taken up July S0th.
(b) Concerning the discipline of NJ
j. Burton for starting church riot.
Note: The above item was adopted
in the motion to adopt the boards re-
port.
Conclusions.
We make the following conclusions:
l. That If Rev. NJ. j. Burton COM
mitted any offense in preaching for
The new mission in keokuk 1t was GER
tainly not one that demanded discip-
line from the church. And II Rev. Ven
cradle deemed this action of the mis-
sionary reprehensible to this degree.
he should have invited this board
which has the management of Rev.
Burton's work to investigate the mat
Ter of1icially.
q That the evidence presented to
his board is not sufficient to prove
single one Of the charges which we're
to this board.
8. That in taking Rev. Burton and
wife into the criminal court, Rev.
took action ul1warranted so
ar as any evidence presented to this
BOARD is concerned and this action
vas fragrant violation of rules and
customs of Baptist churches gener
lily. @
4. That Rev. Burton was excluded
n manner wholly foreign to the
Jules of Baptist churches. Had his
conduct demanded that he be discip-
ined council of elders should have
,een called to consider the case.
5. That Rev. w. F. Collins. Mr.. L.
!. Dean, Mr.. Athel Smith, Mr.. O. D.
smith, Mr.. George Hinch. Mrs. NJ. !
+. Burton and Mrs. Mary Smith who
estified in the court in behalf OF Rev.
burton and were excluded for false |!
wearing, were deprived of their /
membership by unjust methods, with. |
,ut a trial and upon charge which .
ould not be sustained BY the eYi-