The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-12-04

sricktown Baptist church and pastor,
Ind realizing the impossibllity of learn
ng the truth from the published state
nents Of the prosecutors, we, the un-
iersigne6 committee, desire to make
he following statement of facts
On Nov. 19, 1914, Rev. II. l.. Chaplin
received letter from Mr., w. c. Rock.
we'll, successor to j. M Howard as
of the Mt. Vernon Baptist
informing him of the fact
that on the request of ia number of
pastors of the association" he had
called meeting to be held in his Of
fee in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Nov. oath, at
/ D. M, to confer concerning matters
to "his ministerial stand
ing to-wit: Certain matters, state
and attitudes" He was not in
formed that any other meeting would
be held. Rev. Chaplin Immediately re-
piled to Mr.. Rockwell's letter asking
just what the charges were, and who
the Certain pastors" were. In re-
sponse Mr.. Rockwell wrote that he
knew nothing about what was ito be
brought out in said conference what
ever" and that he did not feel at lib
erty to disclose the names of the pas
tors" In reply Rev. Chaplin informed
Mr.. Rockwell of his surprise that he
could be prevailed upon to apprise a
man of the fact that his standing had
been called in question:" that he was
expected to appear at the said time for
the conference, and yet he, the caller,
and therfore, the chairman Of the
meeting, did not know what was to be
brought out in said meeting, nor was
he able to give the names of the "cer-
tain pastors" making the charge.
Rev Chaplin heard nothing more
from Mr.. Rockwell until Nov. "a, at
11:3 a. M, after the last train for Mt.
Vernon had gone, and only one hour
and thirty minutes before the time for
the aforesaid conference to convene, at
which time he received phone call
from. Mr.. Rockwell, informing him of
the fact that an unannounced confer
ence was already in session. He also
read over the phone the charges that
this observation-disclosures had
formulated against Rev. Chaplin, gave
=.
the names Of some Of the men present
in this secret conference, informed
Rev. Chaplin that he was at liberty to
bring any Of the officers of the Freder-
icktown Baptist chruch to attend the 1
o'clock conference, and insisted that
Rev. Chaplin bring his ministerial cre-
dentials which had been duly passed
on at the first annual meeting of the
association after Rev. Chaplin had en-
tered same. The following members
of the Fredericktown Baptist church
accepted this eleventh-hour invitation
and Immediately went to Mt. Vernon:
Mr.. and Mrs. VIM Wagner, Mr.. and
Mrs. L. c. Crowell, Hoy SHETLAND and
Rev. Chaplin. The certain pastors of
this association" who greeted them
were the following: G. j. Rose, c. H.
Stull, H. H. Hurley. E. S. Hartpence,
j M. Howard and DR.. Carlton H..
Wright (none of whom are pastors in
this association), j. w. Craig, s. J..
Weed, Isaac Bennett, G. r. Dye, G. R.
Wood, A. l.. Wiseman and the moder-
ator of the association, w. G. Rock
well.
At one o'clock, the appointed time
for the conference Mr.. Rockwell asked
the Fredericktown brethren to retire
to an unfurnished room across the hall
which they did without question.
Later he emerged from his office and
finding some of the brethren walking
in the hall ordered them to re-enter
the unfurnished room and close the
door, undoubtedly for the purpose of
having absolute secrecy for arranging
their program that was interfered with
by the unexpected appearance Of tho
members from the Fredericktown Bap-
Aist church, and for the possibility OF
admitting DR.. G H. Wright, who had
not yet been able to enter the confer.
ence unobserved. This secret meet
ing continued thirty minutes, and un-
til the insulted delegation from Fred
ericktown demanded admittance. Mr.
Rockwell refused to grant them admit
tance saying, "If you will be patient
you may be admitted one at time in
a few minutes" This offer was reject.
ed, and after several minutes Of fruit
less reasoning with w. c., Rockwell
and Rev. G. R. Dye, the Fredericktown
brethren left the building in utter dis
gust at such discourteous, ungentle
manly and unchristian treatment. Al
the foot OF the stair they paused for few
moments to inform Mrs. Crowell and
Mrs. Wagner of the shameful treat
ment they had received. Ina few mo