Minutes of the June 17, 1881 Foreign Mission Board Meeting

The Board met at the call of the President on friday June 17th. at 4 1/2 oclock P.M. Present. Brn: Curry, Tupper, McDonald, Wortham, Jones, Hawthorne, Watkins, Hutson, Hatcher, Harris, Pollard, Goddin, Clopton & Gwathmey. Prayer by Bro. Hutson. The Committee appointed at the last meeting presented a report. Bro. McDonald also made a minority report in behalf of himself and Bro. C. H. Winston. After protracted discussion, (pending which Brn: Clopton and Wortham were granted leave of absence) at the request of the President, Bro. Pollard offered special prayer and on motion, the following was adopted as a substitute, being the paper of Dr. Tupper, which was referred to the Committee at the last meeting of the Board. Whereas Rev. John Stout has candidly and courteously presented to the Board of Foreign Missions his views on Inspiration; and whereas his views do not seem to the Board to be in accord with the views commonly held by the constituency of the Southern Baptist Convention; and whereas, Brother Stout reduces the question between himself and the Board to the simple point, whether the Board will give him their consent to teach or print if thought advisable by him, these views, as a Missionary of our Board, therefore 1. Resolved that while the Board distinctly and emphatically disclaim the least right over the conscience or christian liberty of any man, they have no right to consent to any missionary teaching or printing anything regarded by them as contrary to the commonly received doctrinal views of the constituency of the Southern Baptist Convention. 2. Resolved, that while the discovery of this difference in views fills the Board with unfeigned regrets, they rejoice at the fraternal spirit manifested by our Brother Stout, in the assurance that whatever be the issue of this difference, he shall ever by a fellow helper with the Board in giving the gospel to the heathen world. 3. Resolved that the Board having answered the inquiry of Bro. Stout in the same candor and christian love