New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-26
TIE HARLEM CHURCH WAR.

CONTRADICTORY STORIES OF FRAUD AND DECEIT
AN UNFORTUNATE PHASE OF THE CHURCH
MILITANT.
Whenever the controversy between the
members 0f the First Baptist Church of Harlem comes
up in the Courts does regularly now. there is sure
10 be interested audience The suit Is brought by the
Church he original OF the proceedings for IN
nnctiou being pastor Mr.. Lucas against b.
G Coles and others. The brought up yester-
DAY ty the Church motion to make the injunction
permanent b. and G. Mitchell and d. NJ. Porter appear
ing for the notion and the Hon. w W. NilesGen. Geo.
W Palmer and Mr.. BaSley opposing 1t on behalf OF the
defendants. Among the numerous gentlemen who arc
sought be restrained Addison smith, President OF
the Harlem Bank. and of the defendants set of
Trustees Of the Church Deacon Taylor Dr. Smith, and
Messrs Wilson, Austin, Blackwell, and Coles, all of
whom IN court.
The complaint recites side of the controversy. 1t
states that the church organized IN 1S4S Two
ago certain members found fault with the pastor Mr.
Lucas and used INDIGENOUS language. They were finally
expeed for characterization. These exmembers formed
subsequently "The Olive Branch Mission" new
minister elected by them and the Olive Branch
Iuued 10 be separate mission. On July there was TO
be regular Of the First Baptist Church,
and without notice the Olive Branch people made
an attack upon them and contrary to rule, turned the
assembly into business meeting and passed resolution
that tthe people recently expelled should De renstated
The whole thing being conspiracy, as some Of those
thus renstaed had left the church two three four
years before while Others had been expelled two years
before On July the church called meeting
and the serenstaed members went there in force and
claimed 10 be in full membership They went of and
Get up the sgD First Baptist Church Of Harlem" in
stead OF Olive Branch Mission" At that meeting
they appOintedfGen. Palmer moderator. though he
was not member and resolution IN favor OF the
Graders" he declared carried. The defendants are now
using the name OF church and receiving its money
osg,1o Tyu6o 4 fhp
defendants, b. g. Coles ana A. c. Burr. are actually
trustees and the complaint, in conclusion asks that
<hey be restrained using the OF the church
or receiving its money
During the reading of this complaint great deal OF
nerrment was excited among the defendants and Gen.
Palmer at the auson TO his own action, inquired Is
that In the mpersW "0h," replied Mr.. Porter, Il
don't wonder they are sensitive about it,"
After Mr. Porter had read the long complaint and
made his comments Gen. Palmer replied with alnarave
which presented entirely different aspect OF the case
1t appears according TO this side Of the story that Elijah
Lucas from England 10 the pastorate OF the
church assumed 20 run the Church to suit his own per
xOpal ends quarrellng with the trustees and members
and finally got TO calling little meetings al wnlch ne hdd
cut Of the Church When the President of the Board Of
Trustees who apparently obnoxious TO the pastor,
meeting stated that lie authorized 10 offer the Pres
dents resignation, which was thereup0n accepted ana
another elected in his place So matters ran ON,
Discord becoming monster with many heads. Finally.
the people becoming indignant, demanded the cali
ing OF council 10 decide whether the members expelled
were rlghtfully excluded. The council in which Drs.
Hodge and Armitage were prominent decided against
MT II Lucas and in favor OF the restoration Of the
ursnged member. The pastor refused 20 obey. and
cied council himself which oensured the Church for
81 action In February last the Church burned,
and A. II was fOandthat the BODY OF the aggregation
a. raDta leave IT, the pastor resigned and went TO
El.ope. A tuird council was then called and the ex-
GUIDED nlnDers we're again declared renstated On
saly the other side had meeting and resolved TO
ya9nd the action Of the Church in restoring the mem
sis They adorned the meeting until the sth, aud
A. 1tne urTe the Ieadsr Of this faction, induced the
ca " Of general meeting Tor the same day When
Tie Lay arrived TurrelPs friends were admitted, aud
0- on the other side were kept out by an olcer VINO
Igo ed them fast they arrived They we're very
o5n eeased, and had Turrel arrested and put
a. J3E. . ,,
these the two versions. Gen Palmer IN his arRu-
,uef f ued that the defendants the Olive Branch
Missiag. and that there any such society IL was
sTynyy p Sunday school organization. lie himself
clenlbef Of the church He presented an affidavit,
ned ~ old trustees and 90 members, which afrms
Je eptre falsy OF the Plaintiffs story charges the
OF these proceedings with attempting 10 destroy
H. church. insists that the defendants are regular mem
md mat Tie action Of the church IN obedience
no Inc deenon Of the council and asks thai the iuDc
he refused II ie further alleged Oh the part OF the
,eieDdaUs tqt the complaint made aro HeFsted Wy