The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-08
MORE CHURCHMEN VINO EIGHr.
Very Di-orderly Congregation In MorrIsa-
nina Lively Prayer Meeting.

nina Lively Prayer Meeting.
The African Congregational Church in
Morisania is divided into fictions. aud they
have engaged in such serious disputes that a
trustee and his son arrested for an assault
on deacon, and hned a. each in the Fordham
Police Court on Wednesday. This church Is an
outgrowth Of the Union Mission, established
several years ago. The ediHcs was built In 1900
l65th street. near Third avenue, within q
stones throw OF Its rival, the st. Paurs A. NJ. T.
Church. Brother Charles Ritter was selected to
oficiate without salary and he continued to
preach until about the 9th OF November last,
when, at his request he received a letter Of dis
missal. Tho church lost members In the last
months Of his pastoral charge. The trustees
engaged the Rev. T. Clement oliver, Pres byte
ran, 10 occupy the pulpit for few weeks The
imposition faction IS led by Brother John H.
Elliot, VINO was once dismissed for melting a
member VINO held mortgage on the property
70 sue the church Tor $2.COO, when only $500 was
due. Yet lis dismissal did not ufect his stand
ing In the Aid Society, an auxllilrY Of the
church. He Got control OF this society, and led
many outsiders 10 Join with him IN an effort to
gain contIol Of toe church but before the soci-
ohutcb enrolled Brother Ritter had tbs socistS saS
disconnected from the church.
brother Elliot, being u trustee, took charge
OF the Keys when the church was closed at the
end ~ Brother ktters ministry. When Brother
Oliver was called, tho communicants were un-
hDle To get INTO Tue Dullulnk 10 attend services,
as Brother Elliot Of the opposition, held the
keys, aud refused to give them up. On a pre-
tence u key was got from Brother Ritter, ana
trustee entered the building, took on all tho
locks and ro placed them with those for which
he had keys. Brother Elliot got relnfOrcements
In the persons Of Brother Ritter and his son,
deacon elect.
At prNer meeting few days ago the reGu-
lar members numbered about twenty-six, led by
DeaoC Marshall. At the commencement OF the
services Deacon JACOB Ritter of tho Opposition,
went into the pulpit and prayed. Deacon Mar
shAll ar SO 10 preface prayer with a lew re-
marks, aud some young negroes began shufiInR
Brother Milllams called Order, orderv
Brother Elliot angrilY responded, "De gem
men VIII stop when dey please, but not
when Bruddsr Williams pleases" Brother Rit-
ter started the doXology to create a diversion.
Immediately after II was through, a brother
for buslne-s meeting to act on recalling the
Aid Society, that h1d been so suddenly cut of.
aeon Marshall, knowing that the opposition
had majority, said, Its 10 o'clock. and tims
10 go home" The remark caused the greatest
disorder. The young men jumped on the seats,
elders, and general scufiie ensued. Deacon
Marshall cut on the gas. The wrdngling crowd
were IN lrkne-s, the women screamed for
help, ana the men continued their rOwdyism.
Brother Elliot and his son found Deacon Mar
snail, aud "a ret-tO W soon In progress. Two
against one was big odds, and Deacon Marshall
was pummcled. The regular members left tho
vicinity as last as they could, ond some time
ate rwsTd he wranglinR crowd was elected.
Brother Elliot and bis son were arrested.
The congregation Is In further controversy
over Brother htter's salary for the last ~ ar he
caped sale on foreclosure q short time ago. Its
debt 10 but $1,000.