The New York herald., 1879-02-10
THE MELROSE BAPTISTS.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING AMONG RELIGIOUS
FoLKs = HEARTBURNINes BETWEEN PASTOR
AND HIS FLOCK CAUSED BY SUNDAY SCHOOL
JEALoUsIEs. sa,sss
Public attention was yesterday drawn to series Of
troubles in the Melrose Baptist Church. which have
hitherto been kept private by the circulation Of
q small handful. It read as follows:-"Owing to
the trouble in the First Baptist Church Of Merose
caused by the action of B. Gibbs the preacher. the
Sunday school known the Merose Baptist Sunday
School will meet until further notice in the church
in 15Sth street, Elton avenue. Services will
commence at half-past two P. NJ Friends scholars
and the public respectfully invited to attend"
AHERALp reporter visited the church in 15Sth street
yesterday afternoon to learn what troubles had
:.caused by the action of Mr.. b. Gibbs" and what
that action had been The amount Of information
which be received was astounding. and was only
limited by the time (which ne had at his disposal
Mr.. Rowan, the treasurer, and young man with
heavy trimmed eyeglasses talking with great
Mr.. Gibbs is an elderly man. not large. but
erect and active with q determined air and
sppesrancss Of confidence t:as IN himself; 1t seems
school, and one day visited the school at the be-
ginning of its session and announced to its officers
that he intended to reorganize the school. He was
dissuaded from announcing his proposed changes
until the close OF the days session. when he read
proposed put In charge OF the different classes in
the school in the place OF the ladies and gentlemen
who had been teaching them. The classes named.
after . fashion common in many Sunday schools,
one class being 1.-THE Roses of Sharon" another
being "Lilies OF the Valley &c.
THE FLOCK RKBKL.
Neither the teachers nor the scholars willing
to submit to these changes; and when, the follow
ing Sunday Mr.. Gibbs came to the school and ut
tempted to conduct its services nearly ALL old and
young. left the building and under the lead Of DR.
Elliott marched to another church half dozen
blocksaway.
complication of difficulties ensuod which It
would be tiresome to enunerate. The Sunday school
remains independent, and another il organized
in the church. Four members OF the original school
have been expelled from the church. and twenty nine
have been suspended from church membership and
declared under discipline their alleged offences Deing
absence from prayer meetings and failure to
contribute toward church expenses. DIR. Elliott
offered his resignation of the office Of Super
intendent. but urged to withdraw it, and
consented to do difference of opinion exists
to whether Mr.. Gibbs salary is $500 100 year,
and much discussion has been thereby evoked. The
church is in debt, owing, is said, 500 $500 to
MIR. Gibbs among other debts. Foreclosure of mort
cages ia expected Technical points Of church gov
aud the functions Of committees have led to
arguments which might perhaps. fairly be called
wrangling. And to crown all scandal has arisen.
1t is very mild scandal One OF the young lady
teachers in tho Sunday school has been accused of
married No graver accusation is made. but the
young lady resented this. and her father and
friends sustain her while the pastor and his friends
have been disposed to press the charges This is the
unhappy condition OF affairs. but AIR. Gibbs yesterday
positively refused to say ythng about the story
freely told by Mr.. Rowan aud has young friend who
wears heavy.rimmed eyeglasses