The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-03
WAR IN A KEYPORT CHURCH
THE BEp. Mr.. MEID 1T LOGGERHEADS
WIN SOME or MS FLOCK.
UurIina Deuunciattops at Deacon lie Roy FROM
the PuIpit-The Trouble about Mr.. Mends
Report ~ Treasurer-Two Meetings Held.

KEYPoRT, n. j., April 2.-Tho Reformed
Church Of this place is house divided against
Itself. Many petty discussions have eliminated
in an open rupture between the pastor. the Rev.
Elisha Mead. and the majority Of his people.
This resulted in lively scene at the morning
service in the church last Sunday. Four weeks
ago the Consistory OF the church nominated the
elders and dcacons. eight in number. who were
TO serve during tho ensuing wear. Among tho
nominees was W. +. Ic Roy. who had accept
ably filled the position Of deacon in the old Con.
sistory. and who was asked to continue in the
ofilcc. AT this meeting the treasurors report
for the preceding year was called for Mr. Mead.
as treasurer. read n report that contained somo
unexplained items. and asked the mombers
what disposition thcy would make OF H. Mr..
lie Roy moved that II be referred to n committee
for audit. Mr.. Mead as Chairman, declared
such a motion out OF place. said that 1t was an
imputation upon his character for honesty. and
refused to put the question.
AT the same time Mr.. Mead desired the Con-
sistory to elect their successors. To this Mr..
L. Roy objected, declaring such step to he un-
constitutional In this he was upheld by his
follow members. and nominations were made.
The constitution OF the church requires that
these names be read before the whole congre-
gntion on three successive sundays. previous
tO ordination, that objection to any name NAV
DC lnuuc. On inc HfSt HunlHJ Mf Dlcau
read the names OF all tho nominees. and
no objections were raised TO any OF them.
On the second sunday, in the reading Mr.: Lc
which was on last sunday II was also omitted.
and Mr.. Mead said that objections had bcen
made To- Mr.. L. Roy. but did not say what they
were. He then prepared tn proceed at once
with the ordination of the new Consistory. which
was entirely unconstitutional;
Here Mr.. Lc Roy rose and snid that he OBJ
jected to the ordination. Mr. Mead asked him
To- state his objections. and Mr. Ie Rov began to
rend the clause Of tho constitution that showed
the proceeding to be- Illegal. He WAS interrupt
ed by Mr.. Mead. who ordered him TO sit down,
and said that they had heard enough from him.
He also said, Il will have you put out"
voice from the gallery answered No. you
won't" and some confusion followed. MIR.
Mead proceeded with the ordination Of all hut
two Of the new Consistory. Mr. L. Roy and Mr..
kuhns. who refused. under the circumstances.
The sermon tina, followed was based upon the
text:
And .asll say Cast ye ~, cast ye gP Prcpare the
people
Leaving his tcxt tn preacher devoted tho
next hour To a bitter dcnunriation OF MI. Le
Roy. whom he mentioned by name, Hul 10
whom he applied such cpithcis as villain. sneak
thief, liar. one whose conduct was Infamous
and vininous. a consortcr with u walluwing
brute, u sender Of anonymous, scandaluus
srurrilous letters aud valentines, IA vile calum-
nlator. an arch conspirator. and cnled down
the curses ut God upon him. ns one who was
trying to dsunito the church. While this TRADE
was being made. several ot the congregation
went nnl tl lnt fNuTcu IN disgust, anu lue Ic-
maindcr were thundcrstruck at tho language
used.
4 call for n meeting to consider the condition
Of the church having been issued by majority
Of the memhers of the ConsistOry and copied by
Mr.. IT, Roy. blr. Mead read II. and intimated.
from IN" pulpit, TINT the signatures were for
gcrles. Dr. NJ Kinney sprang To his feet and
said that the orig lnh call. with the genuine sig
naiurrs attached was In his possession. and
that Mr.. LIZ Roy was hcng wickedly accused.
The meeting was appo.r."! e. tonight
MIR. IL Roy bears an unifppeachabc character
in the community, and upon entering IT, n year
ard half ngu. hc brought with him the strong
est p,rs iblc testimonial letters from the Kov.
Mr.. Hodge. pastor Of the Presbyterian church
ut Burlington Of which he was formerly a
member.
Tine meeting this evening was very poorly
attended. no. more than thirty persons b"ing
present Mr. Mead was not there. nor were any
of HIS friends he having warned all Chr slinn
members Of the church to remain AWAY. Those
present were. however. wholly ia earnest in
ther Efforts 10 restore harmony. and ~ do
cido upon some course which might unto the
d'-'urlunt rlnmcnis. Mr.. l." Roy stated his cilsc
plainly. and asked the Judgment of those pres
tLt upon II. After remarks from several gem
tl"mon strongly condemnatory of the recent
course of the pastor. n r'6Oiution was adopted
tha; Il committ'e ho appointed to present 10 the
Chassis Of Monmouth county the prt sent fnnn-
cihl condition of the church and the charges
brought against the pastor. McssTs. l.. kuhns
IL Roy. Cowart. and smith were then appointed.
and the meeting adjourned.