The daily gazette., 1880-07-19
HOLDING THE FORT.
THE ANTI-sHoUTERs GET POSSESSION OF
SEVENTH STREET CHURCH.


1t is well known to the readers of the
GAZETTE that there has been trouble
among the members OF the Methodist
Episcopal church on Seventh street, be-
low Walnut. The factions In the church
were termed the shouters an anti-shout-
ers. At the head of the anti-shout rs
was the pastor, > Rev j. f. Sullivan, and
the shOuters were led by the Rev. Mr..
Potter On Sunday the 11sh inst. the
dissatisfaction eliminated In . lockout
and q request by the shouters to Mr..
Sullivan that he resign his pastorate.
After due deliberation Mr.. SlliivAn pre-
pared his resignation, but in the mean
time he had informed the President of
the CONFERENCE of what had taken place.
Ib reply the President wrote to Mr.. Sui
Ivan, telling him that he was the regu-
larly appointed minister, and for him to
continue In the poss 0ssion Of the church.
Upon receiving this notice, Mr.. Sullivan
withdrew his resignation and prepared
to preach yesterday. In Saturday .
Republican two notices of services ap
peared. stating that Rev J. #. Sullivan
(anti-shouter) aud Rev. William Taylor
(shouter) would both preach at 10:30
o'clock.
In consequence OF this, at 10 O'CLOCK,
there was large crowd In the vicinity
of the church awaiting developments
In the basement of the church the
shouters, under the leadership Of Mr..
Potter, were holding prayer meeting
In the main room the anti-saouters were
slo WY gathering. Behind the pulpit
was seated the Rev. Mr.. Sullivan. At
the conclusion of the prayer-meeting,
the shouters slowly filed into church, and
those who were present out Of curiosity
awaited with blted breath for the de-
nouement After all had seated them-
selves, Rev. Mr.. Sullivan slowly arose
and announced the opening hymn. A
look of surprise fitted over the
faces of the curious when they
found that there was to be no trouble.
The only noticeable feature was three
young ladies belonging to the shouters
arising from their seats and leaving the
ch,rcb. As they were passing out OF
the door one of the number remarked
that she would not stay and hear such a
man preach.
In front of the door leading into the
prayer room WIS middle-aged lady
busily engaged in talking to a group of
gentlemen. A glance at her face was
sufficient to establish the fact that she
was strong-minded. Once in awhile her
remarks could be heard, and each time
she was speaking of the minister In no
complimentary terms. Finally she
3
tion, vowing that she would not enter
the church so long as Mr.. Sullivan was
pastor. When crossing Wilson street
she attempted TO raise her parasol, and
her Indignation not having su bsided, she
with great force turned it insidel out.
Officer Richards, who happened to be
passing a. the time, repaired the dam
age done to the paraso'.
II appears thai the shouters have CIV
. el.,tr lnA Ao rain
session If the church, owing TO the fact
tn 1t the nti-,houteis have received as-
surances of legal support. 1t is thought
that the trouble will end entirely about
tie frs of next month, as at that time
the church will probably be closed, ow-
ing to the congregation failing to meet
their obligations. Thus far there has
been 1915 paid on the building, and the
owners do not feel disposed to walt any
longer for the remainder, as they have
extended the time for payment several
times.