The daily gazette., 1880-07-12
CHURCH TROUBLES.
A SPLIT IN THE RANKS OF THE ONLY
M. P. CHURCH IN WILMINGTON.

A AsPL1T IN THE RANKS OF THE ONLY
M. P. CHURCH IN WILMINGTON.
Several months ago, Methodist
Protestant congregation was organ
lied in Wilmington, but recently
internal dissentions crept in among
them, and now, before they are fairly
on their feet as church organiza-
ton, they have been rent asunder
by factional quarrel, the result of
which cannot now be definitely fore
told.
This church commenced last win
ter, when Bro. John Gray, a peripa-
tetic temperance orator, organized a
sort of Independent Methodist Or
ganization, which held services in
the Young Mems Free Reading
Room, Sixth and Penn streets, and
afterwards rented the old Universal
ist Church, on Seventh street, below
Walnut. Finally, the congregation
decided to become connected with
the Methodist Protestant Church,
and at the last Conference of this
organization, Rev. j. G. Sullivan,
d. D., leading and influential
preacher, was appointed to take con-
troll of and build up this charge.
Soon trouble cropped out, growing
out of, it is said, the action of the
pastor, who, being a man of large
intellect and deep. quiet thought,
was not disposed to countenance the
emotional proceedings which some
of the membership, under the lead of
the Rev. VIM. L. Potter, one of
their local preachers, desired to in
terject into the services. A factional
division was the result, Mr.. Potter
and his friends being designated
the "shouters," and the pastor and
his friends the "anti-shouters."
Finally feeling ran so high that the
shouting" members of the Board of
Trustees held meeting--and curtly
dismissed the pastor, by preparing and
sending to him the following letter
WILMINGTON, July 8.
REV. ]. G. SULLIVAN: We, the un-
| dersigned, trustees of the First M. P.
Church of Wilmington, having con-
suited with you at our last meeting of
the Board in reference to your resig-
nation, and having received an answer
| from the president, and his reply not
seeming to be in our favor; and think
ing it only loss of very precious time
to wait longer, we feel unable to adopt
this last plan. We notify you by this
note that your services will not be
needed any longer at the church at
Seventh and Walnut streets, as the
door will be closed from this date, by
order of the undersigned trustees,
thinking, as we do, that it is the best
| course to pursue under the circum-
stances. Yours, with respect,
THOMAS BUDD,
GEORGE WALLS,
WILLIAM BUDD,
| CLEMENT JONES,
JAMES II. BUDD.
This action created such an excite
ment that trouble was feared at the
church yesterday morning, as it be-
came noised about that the pastor and
his friends possessed duplicate keys of
the church. and were bound to 60 in
and hold services. Police assistance
was therefore summoned, and Chief of
Police Maxwell d Sergeant Legg
were on hand when the time for COM
mencing services drew near. A large
crowd of people also collected.
| The doors of the church were found 20
be locked, but while the turbulent
trustees were '"chinning' with theil
opponents, and Chief Maxwell was
doing his best to argue the members into
a concilatOry frame of mind, some one
unlocked the door and DR.. Sullivan fled
in followed by his friends. They held
the regular services, while Mr.. Potter
| md his friends assembled in the Sunday
school room below to determine what
plan of action to pursue.
| In the evening, the ''shouters" came
Early and took possession of the church,
| and under the leadership of Mr.. Potter
held an experience meeting. DR.. Sullivan
| and his friends did not put in an appear
ance, and their absence was fully ex-
planned by the following letter, read by
Mr. Potter:
After this day, July 10, 1 shall no
more fill the pulpit at Seventh ard
| Walnut streets. All who wish certifi-
Gates of NJ. p. Church can have them by
calling at, or sending to 629 East Eighth
street. Methodist Protestant Church
will be continued in Wilmington if the
President approves, but not at Seventh
and Walnut by me.
J. G. SULLIVAN.
| This does not entirely settle the dis
| pute as the trustees threaten to have
warrants issued for the arrest of those
who entered church Sunday morning,
while the other site accuse the trustees
of forging the same of Clement Jones
| to their letter dismissing the pastor.
And thus with elimination and recrim-
ton. the fight goes bravely on.