National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-07-29
CHURCH TROUBLES.
THE DISSENTING CONGREGATION OF
THE ISRAEL "a. M CHURCH.

THE DISSENTING CONFEDERATION OF
THE ISRAEL "a. M CHURCH.
A meeting of the council Of bishops Of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church Of the
United States was held Monday night, at the Ar
mory building. The council met in Baltimore
last week, and asked the congregation Of Israel
church, of this city, to forward a-letter setting
forth certain grievances complain Of.
In reply a letter was forwarded stating the
following: During the progress Of improve
ments in the District Of Columbia, made BY
the late goysrppenty the ground surrounding
the Israel church, then located on the corner
Of South Capitoi and B streets south, was
filled In to such an extent that the walls Of the
church were crushed and the building destroyed.
The United States Government purchased
the property from the congregation, and a
temporary church was established at the
Armory building, Rev. Jas. d. A. johnson,
pastor. Before leaving the old church ediace
the question arose regarding the purchase Of a
new site. When 9 new site was selected Con B
and First streets southwest) the congregation
were called upon 70 decide upon form OF deed,
whether the congregation would adhere to the
old form Of deed "a. NJ. church) or adopt the
form in accordance with the discipline CA. NJ.
E. church.) Amer the subject was fairly dis
cussed the question was put to the eongrega-
ton, and they decided to adhere to the deed
they had used for the past forty years, Ca NJ
church,
The congregation, after this decision, moved
| into the Armory building. The question Of In
corporation was taken up at this period. Rev
| j. N. Mitchell was pastor, Mr.. johnson having
been removed by the conference to another
charge, his year having expired. meeting
was held to take into consideration the above
question, when 3 large number OF ministers
/ were present. The act Of incorporation, al
adopted by the general conference, was pre-.
sented, which sets forth that the church should
be known as the 4. NJ. Z. church. This act
was rejected. A motion was made and adopted
using the act of incorporation a. amended BY
| Congress for the District Of Columbia, which
gives the congregation the privilege Of con
| trolling its property.
| As the time for the meeting of the annual
conference was drawing nigh, april 20, 1874, }
| the congregation Of Israel church petitioned
| the Bishop 70 have Dr.. Mitchell remain during
] another year. but instead of complying with
/ the request, be placed Rev. Mr.. Lane in charge
| This was distasteful to the congregation, al
! they had placed every confidence In Mr.
| Mitchelps ability TO succeed In building the
/ new edifce. The official and trustee boards
met and decided to call Mr.. Mitchell without
regard to the action Of the Bishop.
The above action was unanimously Endorsed
BY the congregation, and Mr.. Mitchell assumed
Nj Lane retired and organized congrega'
ton at st. Pauls chapel, inviting the members
of Israel church to follow bim, which few
did. Since this time Mr.. Lanes congregation
has been worshiping at Ninth and D streets
Bishop Campbell published q manifesto for
! bidding all bishops Of the African NJ. E. church
from officiating In the pulpit Of Israel church
also ordering them not to raise money for tn
church IN consequence Of the congregation no
having adopted the disciplinary form Of deed.
The question was discussed in the council a
; Baltimore, but coming TO no conclusion, Ad
iourned 10 meet in Washington for the purpos
| Of endeayoring to unite the two congregation
and secure harmony.
The attendance at the meeting Monday nigh
WAS large and confined entirely to the congre
: gation Of Israel church. There were presen
and seated on the platform Bishops Payne
wayman, Shorter, Ward, Campbell an
The meeting was opened by singing hymn
after which Bishop Ward invoked Divine bles:
ing.
, Considerable discussion ensued as to the prt
prIety of electing q chairman 10 preside Owe
the meeting, some taking the ground that tn
> presiding officer should be one other than
: bishop, while others commended that bisho
, should preside. A vote was taken and Bisho
. Payne was selected chairman and W. Il. Myel
secretary.
Bishop Wayman, secretary Of the Council {
e Bishops, read the following questions, WhiC
!, had been adopted by the bishops;
. /. Do you consider yourselves members
Z the Israel A. NJ. E. church,
I 2. Are you willing to be governed by u
8 discipline Of the African NJ. Z. Church,
e The bishops also recommended that Blsho
e Campbell be requested TO remove Rev. ].
: Lane, and appoint 8 minister who Is qualih'
to teach, in place OF Rev. J. Mitchell.
j After considerable discussion the question
= were referred TO a committee Of eonfe:enc
e and the meeting adjourned.
The members Of the District Light Bate
q held meeting recently, and made arrang
Z ments for q series Of entertainments, to
known as the "ArtilleTy Socla6les," to be he
monthly, at the Artillery School, soc MIN
street northwest. The following commit
was appointed: Captain Hanneman, ehairma
; Lieutenant EFtman, treasurer; Lieutenant Col
ing, Lieutenant Burgher, and DR.. Harris, g
I rotary. These entertainments are TO be und
It the supervision Of Lieutenant Trepbly, assist
t, by sergeants Kiseadden and Harrison and &C
iporal HelmicR.