Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-10-20


with "InGisGr- ttOn''-Nu ExeIting
scene ia n Churcn and an Anus
ing chase on the street.
Philadelphia Special to the New York Herald
In a portion of the city called
Kensington, at the corner Of Rich
ardson and Shackmaxon streets, is
the Twelfth Baptist church, Rev.
Mr.. Bott, pastor. There has been
trouble brewing "a la Beecher-
TiltOn-for the pastor with the
euphonious name of a long while
past. And tie mutterings of the
storm have been growing louder
and louder. Indeed, some months
ago there was an outbreak in the
shape of charges and disciplining,
d committee Of investigation and
other theological white.washing.
This resulted in a cessation Of hos
tilides, but the plans Of ministers
and church committees are as sub
iect to failure as those of worldly
people, and the truce was ended in
a sensational and amusing manner
last evening.
The Rev. Mr.. BOtt is "a young
man of fascinating address, and a
favorite with the ladies. Jealousy
on the part Of the men may have
inspired the charges, and they may
be untrue; but certain it is, that
charges have frequently been made
in print, alleging that the Rev.
Bott has been guilty Of "indiscre-
tion," but church councils and
committees have never declared
against him. Last evening he went
to his church as usual, to attend a
business meeting of the brethren
and sisters of the congregation, and
took his accustomed seat i'll the
chair. The utmost serenity char
acterized the proceedings of the
meeting, and the prayers and hymns
we're given with more than usual
fervor. Finally a closing hymn was
sung by the attendants. They fairly
gushed with earnest pathos and re-
ligious feeling. Suddenly, amid
this scene of solemnity. during the
hush which followed the song Of
praise, member arose, and, in a
loud, clear voice, which arrested the
attention of every one, he said
81 have an article in my hand
an article containing charges
against the pastor Of this church,
There was a buzz of comment and
a hush of expectancy throughout
the church.
"These charges the speaker
continued, more einphatically than
ever, care true in my belief. If
when you have heard them, you dc
as you have done before, throw OBJ
stacles in the way of an inyeStiga.
ton, | will, of my own accord and
on my own responsibility, give the
article to the public through all the
newspapers tomorrow morning.
At this point Bott rose and ex
claimed. excitedIy, !"Will no one
move to adjourn y
"But," continued the rcmorse
less aeeuser, "if you will honestly
look into ibis matter l will give
you all the aid l GAP and abide BY
your verdict"
The whispers and comments o
the congregation had by this tim,
become loud and confused, anC
what had a few moments before
been scene of peace and solemn
ty was now an uproar.
Cries Of 'Sit down." "Put hin
out" "Shame "0h, you wick
ed man ETC., came from man.
throats, the ladies seeming to b
particularly excited. Some so ta
! forgot themselves as to rise up an,
| call the speaker shocking ba,
names, which would not Look wei
in print. The men, as a rule
seemed rather to enjoy the scene
and most Of the exclamations 0
denunciation came from the sisters
Meantime, as a dozen or go OF ther
had taken the floor at once, th
the aceuser mounted a bench, an
here he stood and held the fol
most manfully, making his voic
heard above all the din, and calml
1 L =, -, :,