National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-01
How to Manage Church Affairs.

The following amusing and characteristic case
came up in the Police Court on Saturday:
Thomas Withers, coIored, disorderly in the
FIRST Baptist church, and Peter Lewis and
klchard johnson, charged with the same
Charles Henry jenkins testified that he was
deacon in the church; Brother Withers, Brothsr
Lewis and Brother johnson, who had been turned
out of the church, came there and forced their
way in: they were not 10 good standing, having
been expelled from the church; they were for
merry deacons, but had been turned out; witness
told them they could not como 10, but they in
sisted, and showed themselves in with some
women; witt ess went for them, and policeman
came TO his aid, but they got too far; good deal
OF noise and confusion occurred; witness was
elected in January last; their minister is VIM.
fused to make any reports OF their stewardship to
the church. Cross-eXamined by. Mr.. Gloss
Brother Lewis was permitted to enter the yesti-
bule, but he commenced rearing against the door;
Brother Withers and Brother johnson were help
ing him: jenkins tried all he could to preserve
order; he had never been confirmed as dea-
con, as the church rules did not require
it. Washington Holmes testified that he is
a deacon of the First Baptist church.
Brothers Lewis, WitheTs and JOhnson-he called
them brothers, although they have been ex-
cluded from the church-rushed in contrary to
orders and made a good deal Of trouble. The
Of your chufch?'7 Eyes, your Honor, have it
here" He went down in n side pocket of his
coat and produced roll about a yard long, Gov
cred with writing. Mr.. Gloss objected on the
ground that the record should be kept in book
The Court ruled that If it was their custom to
keep I1elT IeCOrQs on q sul0ElC II UuSI De 1u-
mitted. Mr.. Gloss requested to look at the paper,
and objected TO il on the additional grounds that
the record was not signed by the pastor Of the
church. The witness explained that the minister
only signed his name once year to their records.
Mr.. Gordon, prosecuting attorney, said he was
sorry that he was not posted up in relation to the
rules. He read from the paper the proceedings
Of the meeting, signed by Sonny Webb, the clerk,
wherein it appeared that these men had been
turned out by decisive vote.
CrOss-examined by Mr.. Gloss: There had been
trouble brewing for some time in that church.
The pastor was elected by majority of So votes.
Rev. VIM. H. Lee, the pastor, was sworn. and
testified that he knew Brothers Lewis, Withers
and johnson. Withers was not expelled to his
own knowledge. The usage is for the pastor to
sign the records in order to make them legal. He
always signed them when they are made out and
presented to him. This has not always been done
by him, for the reason that the records were not
always made. There had been a faction in this
church. Jenkins and other brothers. now acting
as deacons, have never been confirmed.
By the Court: Do you recognize these men, the
defendants, ae members Of the church? want
Square answer.
Witness could not answer.
Mr.: Gloss explained to the court tnat thls oId
man Withers and the other defendants had built
up the church, and held the deeds to the prope.V:
Ihey went there Friday night for the purpose Of
giving up the deeds and rellnquishing ali right
and title to the property, in order to have peace
and quiet. While at the door they were pushed
in by some Of the women, who were heard TO say,
1--WE want you here tonight"
TIE Court said it appeared that the pastor Of
the church was not willing to say which are the
acknowledged deaeons, and he would dismiss the
case. They must seek remedy by civil process if
there was any dispute about the property.
Henry Warner and Charles jenkins, eOlOrsd,
charged with assault and battery on Fannie Cole
man, an old eolOred woman, who testified that
they made the assault on her Friday night in the
First Baptist church. Brother Warner was not
there when she first went there, but she saw
Brother Jenkins. She wanted to see her son,
who was in there; Brothers Jenkins and Warner
both struck her; they seemed to be quarTellng
there; tkey were trying to put Brother Wlthers
cut. Witness is a member Of the church, and
put the first money in the contribution to help to
get it up. Warner struck her q back handed
lick, and she said, Brother Warner what did
you strike me fort" He said they had had trouble
enough with the women. Harriet Robinson testi-
fed she saw Brother Warner and Brother Jen-
Rins both hit Mrs. Coleman; these two brothers
had been for a long time trying TO get a split In
the church. At this point the case was continued
until next Tuesday.