The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-06-29

many him that his statement settles
the matter. but he overloOks all facts
in the case. FIRST Of all. by arrange
ment of Rev. Smithson's followers. the
meeting was called to order by Glenn
Smith. who is not and has not been
chairman OF any board. In the Chris
tan church in Hammond all general
meetings are called to order and pre-
sided over by the regularly elected
chairman Of the general board. In
his absence a chairman pro tea may
be chosen This regular procedure
was Totally violated.
second. the meeting on Monday
evening was not d regular board meet
ing nor a regular conversational meet
ing, but was a special meeting OF the
congregation called for a special par-
pose a, the request Of the board Of
arbitration with the dehntte under
standing that with the consent ~ the
regular chairman and C.. NJ %Smithsons
this meeting was to be in charge Of
two members OF the arbitration board.
Kindred and cellar. The meeting was
requested by the arbitration board for
the purpose Of presenting the line Of
action which had been agreed upon BY
Rev Smithson. the arbitration board
and the leaders Of those who are ap-
posing Rev. smithson. This under
standing was violated when both the
arbitration board and the regular
chairman were disregarded in the mat
ter Of the call 70 order and the pre-
siding in the meeting.
Third. this meeting being a special
meeting called for a special purpose.
could MOI ~1rEar "r4hr~ HfYrfrAxz tina
matter Of voting out Of office a mum
Der Of church officers at this meeting
was. therefore. entirely Illegal. Tais
action was also illegal because these
officers were regularly elected in the
regular annual business meeting the
hrst Thursday in February With a res
olution clearly stating that they are to
serve for one year and for one year
only. They cannot possibly be thus
summarilv thrown out Of office without
definite charges Of incompetency. OF
immortality. or neglected duty. This
action was. therefore. totally Illegal
The statement that the action taker
against Rev. smithson by myself anc
Others is engendered By spite and hate
VIII scarcely be believed by anyone
w is personally acquainted witr
those VINO nave ttal IN lhle opposition
It IS certainly plain to everybody thai
no one would undergo the thing.
which we have had 10 endur unles:
there was principle at stake. In
Christian church-and among tn
Christian churches there is no author
tty other than the local officers Of tn,
local church. In spiritual matters tn
elders Of the church are the soc an
only authority in matters Of this kind
As elders it IS not only our privilege
but our duty. and first duty. to SAT-
guard the church in a matter or thu.
kind.
There is this unanswered question
Since 1T must be very clear to every
one that three as eminent men as KIN
dred. GRAFTON and cellar would no
dare - present an adverse decision il
a matter Of this kind unless they wer
absolutely forced to do 30 bv the evi
dence presented. why then shoul,
smithson's followers BE- so anxious I
De rid Of the arbitration board com
posed Of such men before a decision
ba 81 on the evidence. ar be rend
cred?
A DICKINSON,
Chairman Of General BOARD