CORRESPONDENCE OF REVEREND EZRA FISHER
Edited by Sarah Fisher Henderson, Nellie Edith Latourette, Kenneth Scott Latourette
(Continued from Page 372 in Quarterly for December, 1918)
Rev. Benjamin M. Hill,
Cor. Sec. Am. Bapt. Home Mission Soc.
Dear Brother:
Yours of Sept. 18th containing your account with me, also a bill of goods sent me by the Am. Bapt. Home Mission Society Sept. 6th, amounting to $466.66, with a bill of lading for six boxes and two barrels of merchandise, were received by the last mail. Was very glad to learn that they are on the way. Since I last wrote I have visited West Tualatin Church and spent nearly a week with the Shilo Church on a council called on account of difficulties existing between Elder and the majority of the church on one hand and the minority of the church on the other. Br. had been quite imprudent and serious charges were preferred against him, but with not sufficient proof to induce the council to recommend his being deposed from the ministry.[1] After three days' and two nights' hard labor, the council gave their advice to the church and all the parties concerned, which resulted in an amicable adjustment of all difficulties. We have felt the necessity of our church members understanding and practicing gospel discipline in case of difficulties before they come before the church. Our Divine Master has condescended to give us the most simple and yet the most perfect rules for discipline either in private trespasses or public immorality.
Yours with sentiments of Christian affection.
Received Dec. 26.
- ↑ This was Rev. William M. Davis. Shortly after the first council here mentioned, a second council was called, which urged drastic action, and the church entirely repudiated him.—Mattoon, Bap. An. of Ore., I:10.
