Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-04-18
SESSION PIEDMONT PRESBY-
Terry HELD LAST WEEK

Confession of Faith put on trial. The
prosecuting minister asked the
speaker If his eXegesis of the Scrip
lures were at variance with the Con-
fession of Faith in any particular,
and when Mr.. Dodge Informed him
that 1t was, he objected to the speak
er being permitted to continue his
remarks along that line. Mr.. Dodge
SPOKE further, giving his conception
| OF what the church Is or was intended
to be; his conception of God, and of
various teachings of the Bible.
Deposed from Ministry.
There being no comments on the
question from members of the Pres
Dytery, the matter of passing upon
the guilt or innocence Of the accused
was taken up, resulting in a unani-
nous vote that he stood guilty as in
DR.. Frazer moved that a commit
tee be appointed to confer with Mr..
Dodge to see If he would not recon-
sloer' the committee reporting later
as stated.
Considerable time was consumed
IN the discussion of the nature Of the
punishment that should be inflicted.
The Book Of Church Order proscribes
four forms Of punishment In such
cases, one being admonition, another
definite suspension, the fourth and
extreme penalty being deposition.
When 1T was reported that Mr.. Dodge
was not amenable to a reconsidera-
tion of the stand he had taken, Rev.
Mr.. waller, who had previously pro-
posed deposition, called for a vote
on his resolution, the measure being
adopted with but two dissenting
votes, these being cast by Rev. w.
II. Mills and Rev. d. P. Junkin.
Will BE Heard Again.
1t is understood that Rev. Mr..
Dodge contemplates taking his case
through all the channels prescribed
by the rules Of the Presbyterian
church In such cases, thus ayailing
himself of the opportunity to air his
views in the highest Of the Presbyte-
rian tribunals.
The trial here was conducted along
lines that gave evidence Of a stern
adherence to church discipline and
law. yet bringing to the surface
marked degree Of Christian and bro
therly personal interest and forbear-
ance. The earnest hope of the prose-
cution was that Rev. Mr.. Dodge
would "see the error of his way" for
sake his present teachings, which are
felt in many quarters to border uDon
and really embrace not little Of the
teachings of Romanism; but he re-
mained firm In his adherence to his
views and his refusal to conform to
the teachings of the PRESBYTERIAN
church. In view of these facts he
was deposed from the ministry of the
Presbyterian church. the extreme
penalty prescribed b. his departure
from its teachings.
Presbytely Adjourned
late Thursday night. The meeting
was one Of the most momentous in
the history Of Piedmont Presbytery
Much business OF a routine nature
was transacted, though the Dodge
hearing occupied the major portion
Of the session.
Missionary Evangelist q. ,sen.
Rev. T. C. Croker. of Newberry
county, pastor of Old Smyrna church,
bytery in the capacity Of missionary
evangelist. Rev. Croker's present
work is within the bounds Of the
South Caroline Presbytery, but it Is
felt that there is no doubt as to his
release and transfer to Piedmont
Presbytery for the taking up of this
new and important work. The mis-
sionary evangelist will look after the
interests Of the churches in the coun-
try and will have all important part
in the Sunday school work of the
Presbytery. 1t is thought that his
transfer will be consummated within
a month. It Is probable that the mis-
sionary evangelist will be located at
Seneca as the most central point from
which to conduct his labors.
Rev. ]. e. Wallace and T. p. An
derson, of Westminster, and DR.. W.
A. Sheldon, of Liberty, were elected
to the board of trustees Of Clinton
College.
DR.. w. II. Frazer, OF Anderson, and
Elder M. A. Boggs, of Liberty. were
elected as Commissioners to the Gen
eral Assembly Of the Presbyterian
church. which will convene in 'Bir-
mingham, Ala, in May
Adjourned Meeting May 9Th.
An adjourned meeting Of Presby-
terry was fixed for Tuesday, May 9Th.
This meeting will be held at Seneca.
The next regular meeting Of Pres
bytery will be held with the West
Minister church on the third Tuesday
In September, the 18th.
Mr.. Dodge Mt Home