The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-12
A Jury OF Fifteen Hundred Col0red
Persons Holding an Inquest on
Eleven Church Trustees.
ECCLESIASTICAL AND EBONY EQUITY.
The Rich Scene in the African Bethel
Church in Sullivan Street.
Ohauncey Shafer VS.. Charley Spencer
What Became of the $l2,000?-Was
It Pokomoke or Delaware :?

One Of the most extraordinary scenes that has
ever been witnessed inside of the four walls OF q
church took place last evening under the roof of
the African Methodist
EPISCOPAL BETHEL CHURCH,
situated In Sullivan street, between Amity ana
Blocker. In this church, last evening" was con-
vened an Ecclesiastical Court, some thing similar
to the 'COurt of Arches" or Doctors Commons, In
England, for the trial of those who in the member
ship or pastOrate OF a church, offend against its
discipline canon law. The persons to be tried
by this
HIGH COURT OF SULLIVAN STREET
were members and trustees OF the congregation
and are well known among the colored people Of
the parish. Bethel church Is OF the oldest
colored Methodist churches in New York city, and
is quite wealthy, being attended by very
SOLID AND SUBSTANTIAL CLASS
OF people. The names OF the accused, who are
trustees OF Bethel church, are as follows -Lemuel
Copeland quite an old mani, George Smith, Smith
Green, John Anthony, Theodore Anthony. David
Trims, John @. Gambler, Isaiah Barnett, Jacob
Stewart, J. J. NJ Hodge and Caleb Mason. The TWO
last named were excused on account of their resg-
nation, and, BESIDES they had
FURNISHED INFORMATION
against their colleagues, Hodge appearing last
evening witness for the prosecution. 1t ia
also stated that Gambler furnished evidence
against his partners, andhe was purposely not re-
moved last evening.
The Bethel church ia plain-OOking, substantial
building. and is decentiy but not gorgeously fur
nished In the interior, is the fashion with Metho-
dist churches
HAVING SIDE GALLERIES
and good organ over the entrance Last even
Ing every inch OF sitting and standing room was
filed; the aisles were crowded with people stand
ing up, the organ loft was chOked with girls, the
reading desk was covered with colored ministers,
who were all eager to listen to the testimony, and
the heat was almost sulrocatng in every part OF
the building. All the celebrated and distinguished
COlOred people
IN ART, SCIENCE AND LITERATURE,
OF this city were represented In Bethel church last
evening The accused persons, with their friends
sat the left hand side of the reading desk just
as the goats VIII be placed on the Day OF Wrath,
and inside the railing sat the Rev. Dr. j. Ii. Young
the President of the Court and pastor OF the Bethel
church.
AND MOST EXTRAORDINARY FACT
OF all In this Ecclesiastical Court which declares
itself subject to Revised Statutes code civil
procedure two well known lawyers sat within the
railing also. These were
CHAUNCEY SNAPPER FOR THE PROSECUTION.
with his clerk, and Colonel Charles ). Spencer with
rose IN his button hole on his coat lapel tor the
accused trustees. Professor Gillard OF San Fran
| cisco, colored gentleman, with most
|
| acted as Judge Advocate and Official stenographer
| THIS ECCLESIASTICAL COURT.
| Among the well known colored gentlemen pres
ent were the Rev. b. L. Porter, Rev. Il. +. Wayman,
Rev. Wilson Peterson. Rev: John Frsbee, Rev.
| Thomas Osborne, Rev. william +. Butler
We Eato, George Washington. q the '' !z .
lam Hesdra i. W. xIdrch, DR.. p McDonous %
Elder John W. Jackson, Jonah Hunter and many
others too numerous to mention. The accused.
stads
time since and acquitted before a civil court,
were charged, while acting as trustees during the
last nine years. with having
EMBEZzLED NEARLY TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS
OF he moneys OF the church entrusted to their
care; with INSTRUMENTATION to the law, order and
government OF the African Methodist Church dis
cIpline; with rebellion against the pastor of the
Bethel church-one OF them, jacob Stewart, VINO
is evidently tough man. on one occasion called
DR.. Young an sold blackguardr and slammed the
pastoral door IN the divIne's iaces-and number
OF other charges. Some time since they were all
EXPELLED FROM THE CHURCH,
but they SAID they would not have IL, and they
called Tor urther examination. They were also
charged WITH lending the moneys of the church to
eacn other, and giving 500 10 the Rev. Mr. Turpn,
O former pastor OF the church.
1t was evident from the
STATE OF EXCITED FEELING
among the congregation last evening, that the
accused were already condemned before they were
tried, the jury consisting OF every man, woman
and child In the edifce. 1t was O jury OF 1900 per-
sons the largest jury ever heard OF since the Polish
ceedings began by a PRAYER from Rev. Mr.. way
man. and then the specifications on long rolls OF
paper, together with the written evidence,
MEASURING TWENTY THREE YARDS,
were read or admitted, with continued protests
from Colonel Spencer, VINO fought a gallant but
hopeless fight until near midnight for his clients.
The congregation every few moments would inter-
rupt ana cry out, "Where's them S12, 0OO?n
"DEY WAS PLAYED In POLICY.n
"He's innocent, poor !" "Pity bout him; he's
so youngl" and like dersive ordinations. Colonel
authority Of the Board and to its Jurisdiction, as
well as to jury constituted like this, church full
OF people. l object to any person sitting here
unless he has been a regular attendant Tor one
year and has paid his church dues"
Rev. Dr. YOUNG--Wc don't want any other jury
but this. Your objections are met and Overrued.
Colonel SPENCER-l shall take the matter to the
Supreme Court, when these proceedings are
over. Cries OF derison and "Pokomoke.'D
Why don't you call the roll OF the
paying members, Chauncey Shaler. They
have got SIS, 600 OF the church money and we have
been pouring water into sieve long enough. Let
US get done and go home.
Colonel SPENCER-Go home now, why don't you?
CHAUNCEY SHAFER-We are home now. (Crles
OF Oats SO"
''GIB IT TO 'EM.'D
Colonel SPRNCER-f never knew that Brother
Shafer was such good Methodist exhorter be-
fore.
CHAUScEY SHAFER-wei, Brother Spencer had
better order out his regiment II he thinks III.
Colonel SPBNCER-lf the nour should ever come
when the rights of these people are assailed will
be the rrst 70 leap into the saddle. You have the
might here, but we have the right II there is any
thing Illegal, we have higher tribunal to protect
voIcE-Bounce them; they have de money!
Rev. DR.. YoUNG-I am Judge OF this Ecclesiastical
Court and rule the counsel out OF order. Proceed
with the witnesses.
Here the Secretary, Professor Gaillard, read
four yards more or testimony and the witnesses
we're called up. Another legal tilt now followed,
Colonel spencer claiming that the witnesses should
be examined anew, without being led by counsel
or
THEIR PREVIOUS TESTIMONY
read over to them This was denied; but the privi-
lege OF discrimination was accorded
him, and OF that he availed himself most effec-
tually The impeaching witnesses were Messrs.
Jack m Hoe of