Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-14
heNineteenth Street Baptist Church
Trouble.

Trouble.
Adjourned Heetino Of TIE Church coupeil-Ckaroe,
and Counter Char0es-No Cancellation Arrss ed at.
The council Of pastors and delegates of seve-
raj of the Baptist churches, which was orga-
mixed on the 5th instant, to advise with Eessrs.
z. Clark and A. Burke, who were excluded
from deacon's positions, and g. H. Lemos and
Mrs. Harriet Baker from membership in the
First Colored Baptist Church REV. %. w.
Anderson,) held an adjourned session IN the
'ecture room OF the 18th street Baptist Church
REV. DR.. Cuthbert's) yesterday, Rev. G. G.
Mesdor, Of the Island Chlrch, presided rs nod
orator, and opened the session with prayer. and
MI. w. q: Force acted as clerk. Mr.. David
Warner, clerk Of the 19tk street Church, pre-
sented
THE ANSWER or THE CHURCH.
IL commences by saying to the council Beliex-
and proceeds to state that the parties named
above, Clark and Burke, never were deacons az
alleged, bat only acting - such; that Clark VA
and endeavoring 70 create : division In the
churchs Burke on similar charges; Lemos for
endeavoripg to incite riot In the church;
but elk excluded in ali, and two of these. p,
holland and j. w. Clark have returned to the
church; that these parties who have called the
council are epdeavoring 30 make it q shield to
screen them, and asks as matter CT justice that
the letter be published.
Mr.. walker asked if the parties we're given an
opportunity b defend themselves in the church
6efore expulsion, to which Warner answered in
Mr.. Lemos assered that no opportunity va,
given him to defend himself, and he IVES Willing
10 make affidavit to that effect.
Mr.. Clark charged thae
THE ANSWER WAS FALSE
from beginning to end, and asserted that the
pastor prepared 1t and had the clerk copy it.
we're against him, the pastor said there we're
CT lines charged against him 50 heinous th ct IL
made public they Eould disgrace him, and they
then an honest investigation, which was denied
him. As for John Clark, he ran back into the
church with O falsehood in his mcuth.
=, John Dillon asked ifClark was not present at
the male members meeting when 1t was st ited
that those who sent a protest against the recep-
ton OF the letter Of the church in the Philadei-
phia Association, would be dealt with at the
Clark replied that he vas, and heard the
statement, but according to usage, whom charges
are made in the male menbers meeting they
60 over to the next church meeting, and bis
case as acted on at an extra church meeting,
before the time for the regular meeting.
his case.
Mr.. jefferson said the hest counsel he con,d
give was for the excluded party to 90 to PRAYER
and return to the church asking forgiveness
Mr.. Burke replied that no charges had been
brought against him, but the pastor had said he
was charged with heinous crime. He did NOT
knew why they should ask pardon when they
had done no wrong.
Inc ulscusslOn was continued FOR some time,
members taking part in it, and during the de-
bate 1t was asked whether the council would
take the statements Of the excluded to be as
truthful as the letter Of the church, numbering
was &c MT by the 800 members or the pastor.
Mr.. Warner stated that the letter was drawn
up by the deacons, read to the church on Sun
day morning, and adopted.
no attention to the letter Of the excluded pastor
asking them to unite in calling council; to
which Mr.. Warren replied that the letter was
signed by but one, and the church did not see
1T TO recognize the excluded members.
Mr.. G. 9. Stewart explained that the deacons
thought 1t best to send the letter, and while
they recognized the council they could not re-
cognize the excluded members.
Rev. Mr.. Wright asked how long, according
to the usage Of that church, must acting dea-
NJ. Stewart replied that they heretofore have
had no specified time; but by the recent action
two years, and there are two ordained deacons.
Mr.. Wright asked how it Is, at this late day,
that regular time has been fixed?
Mr.. Stewart replied warmly that he was not
there to answer questions, and charged that
THE COUNCIL WE'RE PROCHKDING Rx PARrR.
Mr.. Stewart took up his coat and starte for
the door, followed by Warner and others.
Mr.. Wright asked that they should not all
leave, and inquired if Clark and Burk had not
been acting as deacons for fifteen years or more.
Warner replied that he had performed his
had been acting deacoDs for a number OF
years, but were not ordained.
MIR. Walker" An acting deacon on trial
twenty yearsi"
The Moderator stated that il was a mistake
that the council we're acting er parte, and that
the imp resson that the case was FULLY considered
at the hrst meeting was erroneous, and called
attention to the fact that the state ment. of the
aggrieved parties were handed in, and to give
the church an opportunity to answer, an ad-
journment was had.
Mr.. Walker said the latter charged that the
statements were false as read in the first meet
ing, and said of Mrs. Baker that he had known
her from glrlhood, and always regarded her as
truthful.
At this point an adjournment took place.