Daily Republican., 1880-07-12
SATAN THECHuRerf.


have a DsEErRoeruI Row-Afd of
the Police Invoked.
Not quite nine months ago small
body OF trough diamond" christians,
under the leadership of a certain minis
terial party named Rev. John Gray,
got together and formed themselves in
to congregation of their own. They
we're the old fashioned portions of the
Scott and Epworth churches and with
drew from that body to travel toward
Zion from the Penn street reading room.
A hard fsted old car builder named W.
7. Potter was the Reverend Gray's
right bower. Here they went along in
brotherly. love and made their exis-
tence known through badly spelled
church notices they almost daily sent
to the newspapers. At last they raked
up sufficient exohecquer, collected from
time to time in the ministerial beaver,
to pay part of the price asked for the
Seventh street varieties. In little
while the votaries of the Thespian art
we're turned out and the place which
had previously rssounded with ribald
song and jest became sonorous nine
times week with the loud voice of Mr.;
Potter now made the pastor, vice Mr..
Gray, and dubbed "Rev."
Presently the congregation Joined
the N. P. Conference and Rev. J. G..
Sullivan was sent to minister to them.
Jealousies sprang up, and often enough
at prayer meeting and that sort of
thing the soul Of the "Rev." Potter
would revolt and he would meaningly
shake his massive fist when Mr.. Sulli-
van showed disposition to put an end
to the old fashioned shouting" And
so while Mr.. Sullivan was breaking the
bread Of life to the church and wonder
ing how the dickens he was going to
get bread enough for himself out Of his
small salary which was not always
prompt in being paid, Mr.. Potter was
putting up . job on that excellent di-
vine. And on Friday he received q
letter signed by Thomas, William and
James Budd and George Walls and
Clement Jones, Trustees, saying his
services would be needed no more, and
the church would be locked upon him
after date.
But the other side had duplicate keys
made, and went to the church yester-
day morning intent upon entering, and
with Chief Maxwell and Sergeant Legg
of Pslioe force as q body guard. The
other side opposed them. After lot
of trouble they entered and Mr.. Sulli-
van preached his last sermon. 1t is
spoken of IS scsthing arraignment Of
old Potter and his henchmen.
The "shouters" gained recruits and
at night gathered around the church
ready to give the other side warm re-
ception. The other side didn't come
and later letter was brought from
pastor Sullivan which ran like this:
"After this day, July 10, l shall no
more I'LL the pulpit at Seventh and
Walnut streets. All who wish certifi-
Gates of M. P.church can have them by
calling at, or sending to 629 East 8th
street. Methodist Protestant church
will be continued in Wilmington If the
president approves, but not at 7th and
Walnut by me-"
The letter was read, at least part of
it, that is, the first sentence. Mr.. POI
, ter, desirous of continuing as pastor,
thought it safe to keep the rest dark or
some of his congregation would desert
him. Then disappointed at not having
a fight, they had prayer meeting
which answered as well.
The state of affairs now is this The
pastor says he has done his duty, but
the congregation has incorrigible ele-
ments in it the President Of the Con-
ference is expected here this week the
shouters threaten to arrest the others
for entering the church; Mr.. sullivan's
friends claim that Clement Jones' name
was forged to the letter to the pastor
and talk Of bringing action.