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

dence In the case. They testified to
what they saw, and their testimony
is not disputed, for there 10 not cor
roborative testimony on the other
side.
6. That the action Of the church In
exclusion "by irregular and unjust
methods Of procedure In discipline. as
well az for insufncient cause In exclu.
sion invalidates the action itself by
Hiscox's new directory for Baptist
churches page 202, and that therefore
the parties above mentioned are not
actually excluded from membership In
the Seventh street Baptist church.
Z. That while we most heartily .e-
plore the disturbance that occurred In
the Seventh street church on the
night OF July 2, we do not find evil
dence that Rev. Burton attempted to
assault Rev. Venerable In any man.
ner, nor that he precipitated riot.
| nor that there was riot; but that the
disturbance which happened was the
result of Rev. Venerables remark,
which, although doubtless misunder-
stood was taken to heart by those
who voted against the exclusion Of
The deacon, and directly by Mr.. John
Thomas, who innocently In our judy
ment took hold Of Rev. Burton
8. That while Rev Burton has
shown irritation toward Rev. Veneer
able 1t was not without very unfortu-
nate provocation.
9. That the serious internal diff.
culties in the Seventh street church
are due to Rev. Venerable's methods
which appear to US to be arbitrary,
yindictive and hasty; that he should
use his offices to restore those who
were excluded on the night of July 80
to their good standing in the church,
and that he should offer apology to
Rev. Burton for prosecuting him in
the criminal court
10. That so far as his standing in
the Negro Baptist ministry OF Iowa
and Nebraska is concerned the accept
ance Of the suggestions made in the
the above paragraph Is the condition
upon which his fellowship with us de.
ponds.
Note: Rev. Venerable was notified
OF this decision by Rev. Holmes and
requested to meet this board. Rev.
Venerable declined to appear before
us.
Two others, Revs. Boles and Boil
ing were sent to request his coming.
They made three trips in search of
him. Rev. Venerable came and re-
fused to accept the proposition made
by the board.
1t becomes therefore the painful
task of this board to withdraw from
him the hand of fellowship and to
notify our churches in the state OF
this action.
Recommendations.
We make the following recommends
ations:
/. We recommend that the Seventh
street church accept the conclusion
of this board that their action OF
July 80 is invalidate or that 1t grace
fully rescind its former action and re-
store these parties to full fellowship
in the church. LIZ r..
2. That in the future the church
refuse to exclude members by hasty
action and without due notice to par
ties under discipline.
8. We recommend to the parties
who were excluded:
\dJ udL IL tuC CAul SIA ouAAASo AeS
former action invalidate or rescinds
it that they return to their home with
a forgiving spirit and without boast
full spirit because of this boards de.
cision.
(b) That if neither OF the above
courses is pursued by the church, that
they apply for membership IN some
other Baptist church but that they
withhold such action until the church
has had time to act in accordance
with the above suggestions.
(c) That Rev. Burton seek church
membership in some church at his
earliest convenience on account of his
position and relation to the work, and
we recommend him to the fellowship
of any church to which he may apply
for membership.
REV. s. BATES.
Moderator.
C. w. RODGERS,
Clerk.
r. REV. ID. A. HOLMES,
Cor. Sec.
REV. F. c. BOILING,
l. Treas. s.
REV. T. l.. GRIFFITH,
REV. JAS. BOWLES.
.4s"