Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1880-07-15
The Chureh Dinaeulty.
Wilmington, July 18th. 1880,

WibMiAohNH1ouAJ 1NsA' NSSNt
MBssRs. RDiToRs:-Sesing q letter In
your paper Of Monday, that misrspre.
ssnted things generally, concerning the
trouble at Seventh and Walnut street
VI. P. Church, Ihave concluded to
rive the following piece Of history.
In the beginning ofthe church move
mont, several took part, Mr.. John Gray
being one Of the number. Not jar
ring note disturbed our peace until he
found that he did not get certain po.
sition in the church.
Then all did not 90 we'll with him.
Joining the conference being spoken OF
the president paid us visit we re-
fused to join that body, unles they
should send us a supply ready paid 90
a missionary, not feeling able to take
the extra expense upon the society at
this time; he came in the person Of DR..
]. G. Sullivan, q good preacher, but not
our position, he took
the wrong steps; the salary question
created some trouble, az he told us we
must pay 1t, and that It could be collect
ed by the laws of the land, even before
we had agreed to pay anything. After
. fiYm promise on his part to collect
and do all he could to secure the deed
of the church, his salary was set, but
he failed to keep his proAise, making
no appeal to the congregation, nor
giving any one else the right, with
one exception when another minister
was called in.
The membership prior to this had
voted to the trustees the authority to
buy this church, or do the best they
esuld in the matter, and knowing the
Importance of the short time they had
left, they felt impatient at this need
less delay, but the pastor said be would
show them who held the reins Of the
church, and time slipped away until
one month was left to bring up all ar
rears or lose the church with all that
had been dene and paid; they urged
the case when the pastor plainly tells
them. "If the church fails let her
fail, 1 shall lose nothing, and If have
killed the church since have been
here, | will kill 1t deader before
leave" This closed all pocketbooks
against us. Then other steps had TO be
taken.
The trustees met and gave him time
to write to the President for areleasei
he was advised to 90, but no, nothing
but the life OF the church now hanging
upon few days would satisfy the few
that had taken sides with the pas
tor they notify him for the last time
and with regrets are forced to'lock tht
door so as to bring a decision, acting al
they were by the authority voted then
by the membership prior to this, and
OF last Sabbath morning Mr.. J. Gray
and Il. W. Morrow made their appear
snce with the pastor and demanded thu
key; being refused, one Of them wen
to the Chief Of Policies Office and 81
stated the case, that, that ofacer cam'
down with some force. Be 1t said they
were gentlemen as we'll as officers slst
another gentleman said to be a lawyer
the only point of law that he put fortl
was that o board Of trustees in thi
state did not have q word to say abou
the church.
Mr.. J. Gray then proceeded to opel
the door, with the false or duplicate
keys, your paper states that they hat
prepared; this very act will call fortf
the displeasure Of all honest people
The trustees with their friends haC
not, nor did not intend to offer any re
sistanoe. In the evening we did no
anticipate any trouble at all. The frs
part OF the note sent in by the Pastol
was all right, the second was no lesI
than an invitation held out to leave th'
church, and tho last showed that not
withstsnding 80 much had been don'
| to rule or ruin, yet one more plan wal
being laid, so If possible to crush ou
the last hope Of q suffering people, tn
flock was torn, yet they wished to fol
| low up the rent, but there is hope to
day, bright and strong in the hearts o
this people.
The last two words in the note print
"a h1 Won which are. (by me) were
gu. gu " Y, ~. ~, ,ota ssnt to The church, The
NV ~ 'no .o'o 80 rsaaot,ons uuad by
nsra mar. oosrosnondsnt nSuo I Of the 18th. show
upon what kind Of soil they grow
Lhousn sn'y Law VII, I not discnss tbst
a,s. Vi sae ,nn e"~' Tit IL trne that ont of th,
p, pvln' no~ - tha bsart Tho month
,".h 1Dunash'' ~. " @ muot sncb hearts b,
spenAe .,sa r,on bad that n,st on a Sab
40 hs.h sne evening % to- to nen such language t,
40 yas. Ia. -,;tv tbam for the pubiio /,
the woila' pity .nen, tuI .uo "a H. @ sar,. :.