Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 28 Sep 1861 - Smith County, TX Contributed by Vicki Betts 5 August 2002 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************************** TENNESSEE BAPTIST, December 14, 1861, p. 4, c. 2 Mount Zion Church. Smith County, Texas,} September 28th, 1861.} Church met in conference after singing and prayer. Bro. E. M. Carter, Moderator, pro tem. Visiting brethren invited to seats during Conference; references called for. The case of Bro. Isaac Taylor was taken up, concerning resolutions and editorial comments published in the Tyler Reporter, on June 20, 1861, and States' Right Sentinel, on June 21, 1861, in Tyler, Smith county, Texas. Said resolutions being drawn, introduced and passed by a home guard company in Dr. L. W. Smith's neighborhood, charging Bro. Taylor with being a liar, and a hypocritical and treacherous man, and also untrue to his country. The editorial comment, accusing him of being a traitor to his country. By a request of the church the following visiting brethren were present, viz: From Tyler church, brethren W. S. Bayley and Samuel Dean. From Salem church, brethren Willis, Bass, and O. Prestrage. From Harmony church, Wm. Maxfield and Wm. Acker. From Ebenezer, N. F. Chaimbers. On motion, the following brethren (being present) were added to their respective committees, viz: Tyler church, Bro. Matthew Wood, Salem church, William Robertson. Harmony church Andrew Pinkerton. The resolutions and editorial comments were then read. Evidence relative to the statements set forth in said resolutions and comments was then heard. The church then decided that the statements were false, and that Bro. Taylor was honorably acquitted of the charges preferred against him. The church then introduced Bro. Taylor's nearest neighbors, (members of the Baptist church), to give evidence relative to his moral and religious character, which was proved to be unsullied. Bro. Samuel Dean was then interrogated as to a report in circulation that Bro. Taylor had killed his wife while living in Alabama. Bro. Dean said in substance as follows: while he lived in Alabama he was intimately acquainted with a Mr. Isaac Taylor, whose wife left him, and came to Texas, and that he never knew Bro. Taylor, now of this county, until a short time since, though he was satisfied that the Isaac Taylor that lived in Alabama never killed his wife, and, also, that this Isaac Taylor, of Smith county, Texas, is not the same he knew in A labama. On motion, the church appointed a committee to draft resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the meeting, and brethren, present, relative to Bro. Taylor. The committee then made the following report, which was read and unanimously adopted: To the Moderator and members composing the Conference of Mount Zion church: WE, your committee, beg leave to make the following report, viz.: THAT, whereas, certain reports have been circulated injurious to the character of Elder Isaac Taylor, Resolved, 1st, That after a patient and thorough investigation it is found that said reports are without foundation. Resolved, 2nd, That we most respectfully recommend Elder Isaac Taylor to the care and confidence of all Baptist churches wherever God, in His providence, may cast his lot. Resolved, 3d, That a copy of these resolutions, and the Minutes of the church be presented to the editors of the Tyler Reporter, and the Tennessee Baptist, and that they be requested to publish the same, Signed, Matthew Wood, Chairman. W. S. Baley, } Sm'l. Dean, } Com. O. Prestrage, } Saml. Heidleberg,} I do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Minutes of the Conference, held at Mount Zion church, Smith county, Texas, on Saturday, September 28, 1861. Samuel Heidleberg, Sec.