The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-11
DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF"

A SPLIT WHICH MAY CAUSE THE YOUNGSTOWN
METHODIST CHURCH TO rAIL-DENTIsT os-
NUN THE WEDGE.
| The quarrel in the Methodist Church of Norris
town. N. j.. which was sketched in the HERALD of
September 10. has grown in Importance from that
date until every Preside in the town is agitated
the controversy. People who side with DIR. S. L..
Bowman the PASTOR will not deal with storekeepers
who sustain the position taken by the deposed class
leader s. r. Osmun; and also the friends Of
the latter have withdrawn their custom from all
those who advocate strict support of the pastors
position. This Affects not only grocers dry goods
and shoe dealers. but jewellers and the keepers
of saloons. restaurants. confectionery stores and
rum shops. aud strangers at the hotels have not
been in town an hour when the merits of the
explained to them. with request for their
opinion on tho subject prominent gentleman
who has been familiar with tho matter from
its inception says that from q feeling OF jealousy at
the better adaptabiity OF one man for the work OF
whole community and the questions can only be
settled by the Trennial General Conference of 1880.
The discussions may cause division in the Method
list Church that will extend the whole country,
did the Old and New School split in the Presby-
terrain Church. which began in Morristown thirty
fve years ago under the passionate of tho Com
mentator. Barnes. The question In this case is
alleged misuse of the arbitrary reposed in the
preachers OF the Methodist denomination. DIR. s. X.
Osmun dentist. and class-leader i'll the Church
which is the wealthest in the S;ate-obtained
larger attendance at his class meetings than the min
lister gathered at the general weekly prayer meetings
of the congregation, and having thus excited the ire
the other class leaders and OF the Weather por.
ton Of the Church for his strength lies chiefly with
the poor of the community. he was removed from
his leadership and interdicted from holding further
meetings in the church. His friends then engaged
places for meeting outside of the church and DR..
Osmun obtained an average attendance Of 600 per-
..1MMoRALIrY, FALsEHooD. IMpnupENcx."
The Church has now decided that he has injured
it, that is certain persons, including the pastor.
have decided and preferred series Of charges
against him. In which he Is to be tried by ecclesi
astical court. These charges are immoral conduct.
in that he taunts and reproaches his fellow men,
bers of the Church, quarrels with and refuses to
obey his pastor, discord III the Church and
promotes its disunon. and dsturbs the peace aud
irritates the brethren by attempting to raise sub
scriptons for the securing of another place OF
ship in opposition to the Church. Fasehood in his
solicitations for aid and in his statements con-
nected Herewith also charged and evil speaking
in saying that Francis Day and Benjamin Day were
liars, and Rev. DIR. s. Van Benschoten, his former
pastor, falsifer; imprudent conduct in exhibiting
no change OF conduct or proper humiliation after
being reproved for the above offences by the
in charge is also imputed to Dr. Osmun. aud to all
these charges he has but reply to make. Hc
has desired to separate from the church, but
his friends desire him to lead the meetings OF his
class as heretofore and demand his restoration.
That accomplished they go buck Ia full fellowship
with the church with numerous additions to the
flock
The members generally. who attend his meetings,
say they are determined to stand by him in any
event. and are ready with hearts. hands and money
to serve God by erecting another church If not
allowed to worship in the old But in any event
they determined to lay the whole matter before
the General Conference requesting that the arbi-
that the laty may generally exercise the rights
which they are entitled Christians citizens.