The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1881-06-11
SATURDAY, JUNE II, 1881.
sTEVENSON'S FLOCK.
WHY the Pastor is unpopnlar-The founda-
tions laid for new church organization
What the Pastor wanted-A fine house,
n big salary, and undisputed control.

big salary, ana unuispuicu control.
From the Daily Republican, Washington, D. c.
The Methodist system of church
government does not seem to take well
with the Methodists Of this city. The
wishes of the congregation and the
appointing power in regard to the Sc
lection of a pastor does not always
coincide. 1t is not always that the
dissatisfaction expresses itself in any
positive action, but quite recently there
have been two notable instances in this
city. The first was the split from
Ryland Chapel on account Of the APP
pointment Of a minister that portion
Of the congregation did not want, and
last evening a meeting was held at
Shiloh Hall of members of the Union
Bethel A. NJ E. Church who were
dissatisfied with the disappointment of
the present pastor,
REV. J. w. STEVENSON.
At this meeting arrangements were
made for the organization of new
congregation. The trouble existing in
this church began a year ago, when
Mr.. Stevenson first came, and has
been steadily increasing. The causes
Of this difficulty, as stated by the
members Of the church, is broadly
"the rulings of Mr.. Stevenson. By
this is meant his arbitrary disposition.
He has ideas of how the church should
be managed and what the members
should do, and he does not tolerate
any difference of opinion. He came
from New Jersey, where it was stated
he had built SI2, 900 church, and
claimed some reputation as church
builder, He proposed to do the same
thing for Union Bethel. The first
question that came out was the amount
Of salary to be paid him. The church
had paid the former pastor, Rev.
George W. Brodie, $1,000, but he de-
handed $500, and said he was worth
$4,000, as he intended to build big
church, and did not propose to get the
money from the congregation, but
from the white people, with whom he
claimed to have great influence. AS
he was going to do all this, the board
Of stewards concluded they could af-
ford to pay him $500. He at once
gayethem to understand, it is stated, that
the parsonage was not a fit stable for
MS horse, and he must have another
one suitable to entertain his friends.
tie was going to have a star lecture
course for the benefit of the church,
with such lecturers as Wendell Phillips,
Henry Ward Beecher, Dr. Garrett,
Professor Langston and DR.. Sunder-
land, whom he claimed were his par
ucuIar friends, and be entertained at
MS house. So, under his direction,
mouse was rented and furnished two
rooms costing $500. 1t is claimed he
LIVED IN HIGH STYLE,
ana mad his wines and other luxuries.
IN MS dealings with the church officers
ne was very overbearing. When the
contributions of the people were turned
0'eL 10 the stewards, they claimed, &C
Iofang to the rules, that if there was
S35 collected for the week, SIS should
| PAD to the pastor, and the rest
'ulued INTO the treasury. Mr.. Ste
.'OSon held that the stewards were
OOunu 70 pay over.to him the entire
sum- Without regard to amount. After
5' mao been here for three months he
qCeuanded vacation, which he needed
NJ rest, and besides he was going to
f make engagements for raising money
vi 'Ile church. Upon his return he
' ~u"oGnced that punch and judy show
.s be gwen in the hall for the ben
tut OF the church. On the Sunday
SeIOfe the show he came in the Sunday
School with a
HANDFUL OF DODGERS,
wy, suu sad that when a circus came to
h s",l Ihey always advertised, and then
~ oegan TO throw the bills around
S rnong the children. The people were
ny much disguised with his conduct
aug aas snow was a failure, but few people
m ,.snded' He then made arrange
4la Tor having the horned man from
tb; sAandrla give an exhibition, but
h. '' was not a success. All this time
nc was IN constant conflict with the
'Ne'S OF the church. Whenever any