Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-03-08
ENTANGLING A PASTOR.
Spies aud Detectives Employed by
liN a Church Directory.

"S"ihSO ltOt. Hiiilahu LlO1uJ pd5IOI
of the Madison Avenue Reformed
church. About three years ago
Mr.. Lloyd came to this city from
Poughkeepsie and took charge of
the Fourth street Methodist church,
then at a low ebb, financially and
otherwise. This church grew dur
ing the two years of his ministry
into prosperity. In the meantime
the congregation of the Madison
Avenue Reformed Church was with
out minister, and some one pro-
posed TO procure the eloquent
pastor Of the Fourth street Metho-
dist church. This suggestion was
acted upon, and Mr.. Lloyd accepted
the call.
Mr.. Lloyd from the first was
popular. A graduate of no theo-
logical school, brought up to mer-
camille business in London, and
having drifted into the ministry
upon an independent plan, he was
not particularly clerical in his ways.
He was immensely liked by the
young men. Soon after taking
charge of the Madison Avenue
church, however, the consistory be-
gan to receive intimations against
their pastor, and two members Of
the consistory at least became at
first suspicious of, and finally bit
terly opposed to Lloyd. In the
consiStory remained a Mr.. Stout,
whose skepticism concerning the
uprightnesS Of the pastor was gen
orally known. The term of this
gentleman expiring, it was in order
to elect successor. This successor,
it was understood, would be one
Colonel Wilcox, but at the last mo-
ment Colonel Wilcox decided rot
to receive it. Mr.. Stout was then
reelected.
Mr.. Lloyd, at this action, exhib-
tied great feeling, and arising, said
81 resign my charge. / wish to
have nothing more to do with your
church" An animated scene there
upon occurred, in the midst of
which the consistory confronted
the pastor with certain charges. OF
all this the congregation were in
complete ignorance, and their sur
prise was great when, on the follow
ing Sunday, Mr. Lloyd without any
explanation announced that it was
probably the last sermon he should
preach to them. A demand was at
once made by the congregation to
the consistory for explanations, and
the latter body met the cOngrega-
tion and briefly announced as a
reason for their having accepted
Mr.. Lloyd's resignation, that he was
too fond Of spirituous liquors"
A meeting having been called, a
member Of the consistory said to
the excited congregation: Breth-
ren, you have asked for facts. Here
they are We hired men to follow
Mr.. Lloyd, and have correct his.
tory Of his going out and coming in
for fourteen days" The speaker
was here interrupted by laughter,
and some one asked if the money
to pay for this work was to be taken
from the church funds. Mr.. Shaw
merely drew from the package the
tax paper and read its contents to
the congregation. 1t was in sub
stance as follows:
December 31-8 am.-Mr.
Lloyd left his house and went to
the church remained there ten
minutes came out and lighted q
cigar went over to Sixth avenue
and teok a Sixth avenue car to
Zittels real estate agency, where
he was met by lady Of medium
hight, about thirty,tive years Of
age, dressed quite richly in a silk
dress. with a black hat and yellow
feather ; they got a permit to look
at a house. They entered the
house alone; remained in the house
about twenty-five minutes; they
then returned to the agency and
left the keys; they next took a car
bound down town !; at Thirty-third
street Il lady with whom Mr.. Lloyd
was acquainted got into the car,
after which he had nothing to say
to the lady with the yellow feather
Mr.. Lloyd left the lady at Brun-
tons bookstore the lady con-
tinuel, and went directly to the
house Of Dr.. Lindsey, in Bleecker
street, "a few minutes later Mr..