A case of – what shall we call it – stubborn selfishness (?) occurred last Sabbath not far from this place. A church was solicited by parties who had paid liberally towards its erection, as a Union church, for preaching in it by our lady minister, Mrs. Gibb. The idea was hooted at and members of the congregation who were in favor of it were not allowed to speak. Certainly there could have been no gallantry among the gentlemen of the congregation or they would not have so violently opposed the lady’s speaking. Query: Is their action based on the principles of Christianity.¹

As it happened, that question was answered soon after:

In our last letter (of March 19) we raised the Query, “Is their action based on the principles of Christianity?” We now have an answer, but that the reader may better understand the whole matter we will endeavor to explain:

When the “Union” church was erected at West Serena, the Universalists and people of no church, contributed liberally with the expressed promise that when not in use by the Methodist Episcopal people, the church should be free to any other Christian denomination or people, (the Mormons, I believe, excepted.) Up to this date no denomination but the M. E. has had any control or use of the house.

The Universalist denomination have been holding meetings at the school-house in Wedron during the past winter, but the United Brethren of that place wishing to hold a quarterly meeting at the regular appointment, Rev. Mrs. Gibb, pastor of the Universalist church at Sheridan, and congregations at Wedron and Dayton, very properly, in the true Christian spirit, gave way to accommodate them. It then became necessary to find another place to hold their meetings, and it was suggested that the West Serena church would be the place provided it could be obtained for a single service. Messrs. Debolt and Henderson made the request, but were flatly denied by the minister and people generally and the minister took occasion to use very harsh and unbecoming language toward Rev. Mrs. Gibb.

Messrs. Brower, Hess and others having contributed very liberally to the building, with the above named stipulation as to the use of the same, after being refused applied in writing to the Trustees for a compliance with the agreement or a return of the money which they had contributed under the agreement.

To this the Trustees, Messrs. Peter Jacobs, James Hall and Wm. A. Greenlees, replied over their own signatures: “We, as Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church of West Serena, feel that we cannot conscientiously comply with your request.”

So it is altogether a matter of conscience. A case of official conscience! These men of very tender conscience found no difficulty in deceiving their neighbors when money was wanted for the church, but find this meddler conscience, which Shakespeare says “makes cowards of us all,” an impediment to common honesty when there is an opportunity to redeem a promise.

No their action is not based on Christianity, but is of that character of pious fraud that is giving strength to infidelity by exhibiting the hypocrisy of so much that professes to be so pure and Christlike. No use for skeptics to invite Ingersoll to West Serena. These trustees and their minister will drive men further from the cause they so luminously misrepresent, than Bob can persuade them.²

As you might expect, this response did not go unnoticed. Tune in next week for the next installment.

1. Ottawa Free Trader, March 29, 1879, p. 2, col. 4
2. Ottawa Free Trader, April 5, 1879, p. 4, col. 6