The New York herald., 1876-02-01
ANOTHER CHURCH SCANDAL.
PRIMITIVE METHODIST coEeREoArIoN-TH4
PASTORS sTATEMENr-sTRAKGE DIscLo4

TROUBLE IN THE BROOKLYN PARK AVENUA
PRIMITIVE METHODIST coNeREGAr1oN-TH4
PASTORS sTATEMENT-sTRANGE DIscLo4
sURxs.
Considerable excitement occasioned in Brooklyn
yesterday afternoon by the announcement that another
church scandal had loomed up which concerns tha
moral character OF pastor who has come prominently
before the public in his capacity Of snging preacher"
This gentleman the Rev. 'Fredp Bell who describes
himself "co9vered puglist, and who has charge
OF the souls OF the Park Primitive Methodist
congregation, which, up about a year ago, held
services in a little wooden building on Bridge street,
between Concord and Tary streets; but his congre-
CATION growing rapidly imposing edlfce Of brick
built the corner Of Canton street and Park ave-
nue. and possession Of in tho early part Of laSt
year. The church seemed 10 prosper amazingly until
about three weeks ago. when the startling announce
ment was made that Mr. Bell intended 10 give
up his charge TO become evangelist lG,
Moody and sankey by whose example
he was nred. With ;he announcement from
the pastor came the statement that OF the con-
gregation believed that he was too liberal for them
The pastor agreed to connected with the church
until the end Of February, but meantime revival
vices have been held the Academy OF Music,
under his direction at which be announced his deter
mination conduct revival services In BROOKLYN az
long the people wanted hear him. then 10 leave
for fresher helds. simultaneously with this
nouncement on the part OF Mr.. Bell rumors
began 10 circulate concerning the moral char
acier OF the gentleman and OF undue intimacy
with certain lady members Of his congregation One
case In particular cited against him-that Of a
young lady who is in delicate health and whom, It is
said he visited very frequently. II appears that she
very proud OF these visits and boasted Of them 10
Of her lady friends whom she told It is said that
Mr Bell had said that he wished she his wife and
used other endearing terms TO her These rumors
came TO tho OF the church committee,
some members OF whom visited tho house OF the young
lady above mentioned and examined her TO their
truth. She denied that Mr. Bell had made any i'm
proper proposals to her. Though the church took no
definite action in premises up last night IL has
open among the congregation for the past
three weeks that these charges had been unofcialy
made and were generally discussed the expressed wish
the part of the pastor being that they should be in
Arumor obtained for some time In Brook lyn yester-
day afternoon that warrant bad been issued for the
arrest OF tho Rev. Mr. Bell, and that there was IA
woman in the case This caused considerable excite
ment and reporter visited the pastor at his comfort
able residence adjoining the church. to obtain his sdo
Of the story. The reverend gentleman seemed willing
enough TO answer any questions that might be put to
him. He denied positively that any order Of arrest
had been served on him IN any suit MT Bell was in
consultation with Brooklyn lawyer when the reporter
called and after the conference the following converse
RrroRrER-Mr Bell is there anything that would
lead you to suppose that you would be served with
| papers In a suit in which a woman concerned?
| Rev. Mr. BELL-SlanderOus reports have been circu-
lated about announced my intention OF
| leaving this church Every inducemcnt was held out
to me to stay but declined Secret attacks against
my moral character were then commenced. was sub
| MEAxEsr KIND OF PERSECUTION
aud l think you safely say that some OF my con-
gregation nccnsed against me that they would
sacrifice my reputation To- crafty their own spleen
REPoRTER-What was the nature OF these reports?
Mr.. BRLI.-That had made improper proposals to a
lady member Of my congregation
REPoRrER-when did this report first reach yonr
Mr.. BELr-About three weeks ago.
RKPoRrER-What did you do about t'
Mr. BELL have several times gone before thel
Church Board and requested them TO take action and
investigate these rumors; but formal charges have
at any time The Board meets TO- night and If they do
not take action am determined TO sue two or three
persons in the church for SANDER
REPoRrER-May ask the name OF the ladyP
Mr.. BELL (hesitatingy)-l don't think can answer
mors have connected me with at least twenty women
in my church. There Is a woman at the bottom, OF,
| course or the reports would not have the desired
effect. II visited at a house it was at said
There is something going on therel" and In this way
| have been slandered until twenty names OF ladies
| have been dragged in. II had decided leaving
| Brooklyn at once do not believe there would have
been word OF this but mean to stay as long as peo
pie will hear me- aud that is what rankes
REroRrER-Then can give an uncquiyocal denial ON
| your part 10 the rumors2
| Mr. BILL lemphaticallyl-Yos, sir You can.
z Another clergyman, who was In the 20 tho
time remarked 'You see they have made Mr.. Bell out
q very hard casc.n
Mr. Bell is low sized, well built with piercing black
eyes and locks rather agreeable face lighted up
with Intelligence and pleasant, taking manner He q
aspendd basso singer and usually ntersperses his
mons with hymns and religious songs OF his own COM
posing He has not trace OF the prize lighter about
| him, though he acknowledges himself that in yeara
| gone by he was "a very hard case indeed.
| THE CHARGER
There was n meeting OF the church officials OF thu
Primitive Methodist Episcopal church, Brooklyn, last
night take action In reference TO tho charges made
against the pastor, Rev. Fred Bell He Is accused by
one Of the brethren OF making improper proposals IA
his wife, and by others with sowing discord In the
church and creating trouble The charges as fol-,
| lows
BROTHER NORRIS cHARGK
BRooKLYS. Jan. 81, 1876
BROTHER BKII,-DKAR sIR-iou charged by Brother
William J. Morris OF visiting his house No - Vanderbilt
making improper proposals and using indecent language M
hs wife Mary Morris-lAnguage unbecoming Of
IN Christian church. CHARLES SPURR, President.
| GRoRGK Is. CoLYKR. Secretary.
| CHARGE.
| BRooKLrN, Jan. 81 1876.
BROTHER BELL
You charged by Brothers Howard and Paisley Of vio-
latng pledge given this church by making division
sowing discord and akng trouble in this circuit and
also with akng false statements 70 reporter o the Ddg
Argus. CHARLES SFOhh. PRESIDENT
GEORGE p. CoLYER, Secretary.
After some debate it decided 10 suspend Pastor
Bell until the charges Investigated They will bd
tried Friday next
Mr. Bell denied the truth OF the allegations and sad he
would preach In the Academy OF Music next Sunday,
| tbo zoft tho list