The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-29
JOSHUA AND JEREBIIdH.
The suspieions OF One CoIored Minister and
tho Denial OF Another.


The Rev Joshua y. Lee, u colored Method
let minister who resigned on Dec. 10 from tho
Metropolitan Mission Of the independent Afri.
can Methodist Church In Brooklyn. OF which
the Rev Jeremiah Buulnh Murray Is pastor
has caused excitement ia the little flock by pub
licy accusing the pastor Of improper treatment
OF the church money. Mr. Ice il not one Of the
members Of the old Fleet Street Church. where
Jeremiah Bculah Murray carried ON prolonged
war with the trustees. at one time making tho
church his residence 81 rs to keep possession
Of It. but lie II minister from Taunton. Mass.
His church there could not support him. and
he gOt tho Conference To- locate him for two
years. He came 10 Brooklyn, where. by serving
rs cook on yachting excursions. and doing va
rions odd jobs about tho city. he managed TO
earn more than, 6Y preaching. year ago he
Joined Brother Murrny's congregation, which Is
worshippng in tho LYccum Hall in Washing
ton street aud being n minister and good cN-
hortel he rapidly rose in the church t2 have
almost as much influence as the pastor himself.
His trouble with the pastor grew out of tho
examination II his ordination nnpers. which
were made the subject Of uu Investigation ~ to
their authority. Brother Ice. suspectiug that
an attempt WIS 10 bc made 10 get HIS papers.
and then suppress them. hcsitnted about delv-
erlug them NJ, ana THIS action on his PARTED TO
the suspicion that lie was Hiruid 70 exhibit his
documents. A pnper accusing him u treating
the Quarterly Conference with contempt WIS
circulated inr signgtures. Inc pastor Insisted
ON having Brother Lees ordination papers. and
as Brother Leo remained suspicious he refused
~ give them up. Then he resigned from the
church.,
Now. Brother Lee saws that he doesn't think
the money ~ tho church has been handled
honestly. Some time ago they began To look
around for new church. and he liked uDon
the Lay College building. next To rnmago's
tabernacle. which was offered Tor SlI 900 and
ho had the promise Of large loan on mort
gage. But Brother Murray. or some OF hi. in
Innate friends started tn" story that he lL,cl
was going To get y commission u $500 Tor
making tie shlc. He dSproved this story.
howovor. by producing letter, from the agent
i"a contrary rueIt Pastor Murray WAS lnA-
inus 10 have the church purciHs" the bull ling
in Park avenue formerly used by the Rev Fred.
Bell AMI his congregation ot primitive Meth
oiisi-. and Brother lie" says ne has learned
that Brother Murray was tn get 300 for effect
What are your charges. against the Rev
Ierrniah Beulnh Murray" the Rev Joshua
J.. Lac WIS asked.
Now | don't make charges. hut I simply
tells syidcntnl facts. which Is that tlero was
mer and only &gS was turned into the treasury.
Now there j. about $40 there, which i seems
10 ne ought to be ACCOUNTED for, An Their
thing. Mr.. Murray has heard the talking going
around that the church hus. $4,000 in bank. and
reported on Dee 10 that the aecoan, mad been
uverdrawn 1910. Then he keeps very close
mouthed about all money matters. so that the
official Board don't know whats being done.
He raised 5000 on the lat OF September for rent
Of the building where they worship. Now.
that's queer move: >, Rents isn't raised In
The Row. Jeremiah Beulah Murray was found
moving sedatgly through mock d admirng
and Holiday Bazar," which is being held In ali
Of his church IN the1.yceum Hall. He grayely
denied ali OF Brother Lees charges and said
that tho latter was trying 90 inlure him. He de-
clnred solcmnly that he had turned over every
dollar that he had ever received and had never
retained a dishonest penny.
Mr.. r. Gibson young white man. who serves
NJ treasurer Of the VI. VI. Of the /. A. VI. +.
Church also assured the reporter that MIR. Muir
4 - M. ID ~ ~
and that he had been scrupulously honest. Upd
IN situations where he. Mr.. Gibson. know Mr..
Murray might have pocketed large sum. with
no fear OF discovery he had accounted for every
penny. He expressed the highest respect for
the cOlored pastor and said that he believed IN
him. Other church members say that Brother
Lee Is too suspicious and that there was never
any desire 10 rob him Of his ordination papers.
and that complete md general confidence II re-
passed through many battles since coming 10
Brooklyn.