Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1916-01-17

cuniary support of the body, accord
ing to his ability. If III either of these
respects he fails and refuses. he be-
comes a covenant breaker and is sub
ject to the discipline OF the body. On
this point they are not even eligible
to vote.
The trustees and the deacons have
no right to meet together. They are
separate bodies. They have no right,
no power to close the church against
the worshipper or interfere with the
time of service. They cannot legally
change or fix, tear down, enlarge or
build anew without instructions from
the body that elected them for so do
ing. So the locking Of the church on
Sunday, according to the Baptist law,
is a violation Of the law of both
church and state.
So far as the pulpit being declared
vacant. no vote to that effect was tax
en- Friday night. There are only
forty-one people in all instead OF fifty
six and / can give the names if nee
essary. The figures given out by the
clerk Were simply suggestions. She
took no minutes of anything that
she left the church. ] investigated
her books before she left. Therefore,
the statement was a falsehood. So
far as the board declaring the pulpit
vacant, ! am pastor OF not only the
board but the church as well. Bus
to d1iscox's manual, page 16, note Z:
The relations betwene pastor and
church may be dissolved at the OPP
ton of either. by giving three
months notice or otherwise by mutu-
al consent.
With reference to charges the man
ual says, page IS, note 81:
Any person tried by the church has
a right to receive copies of the charg-
es against him, the name of his ac-
cusers and the witnesses. both of
whom he shall have the privilege of
meeting. face to face, hearing their
statements, bringing witnesses on his
side, to answer for himself before the
body. This has never been done and
yet they endeavored ignorantly. not
1t, to make this charge, and upon this
declared the pulpit vacant.
All they have done thus far is not
only illegal but answerable to the
church. The manual further states
that church is better off without
the progress of the work. Further
more. this they have surely done by
not only deserving their posts but by
holding others away from the church,
and II any one can bring a charge
against me for one point of violation
his pardon, and abide by the results. 1
challenge any Of them to do it. If
those who have opposed me had re-
manned at their posts and tried in the
spirit OF righteousness to adjust mat
tiers. the church would have been in
a prosperous condition. 1t is not the
one man rule but the law of God and
the government of the church, that /
am executing and that they must hear
now or at some other time before
they'll ever be successful And too.
these men who are the pillars of the
church, have allowed members who
have not even visited the church for
over a year and members who are ST.
fenced and even minors to- particf-
pate in these illegal meetings. Also
they allowed language to be used toe
awful to print to the pastor in their
presence in these meetings. No sane
person can dispute my contentious fol
the right. The matter has been taken
outside the church doors and ever
street corner meetings and even al
the works the affairs of Rev. Mr.
Dennis have been discussed. 1t seems
to be their object to poison the city
against the good have done. This
started the week after the mortgage
! burning, August 5 which is common
| among our people to get rid of a mar
after he has done good work The
| whole thing is a matter Of conspiracy
pred1cated upon a rumor.
There are others who could testff,
as to the facts of the meeting.