The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1884-11-13
A MESSAGE FROM GORDON.
A courier arrived at Handak with a mes
TROUBLE IN CHURCH.

interestingly Belligerent Proceedings In
the Effort of a New Jersey COIored Baptist
Congregation to Get Rid of Their Aged
PastOr-Muscular Christianity In the Pull
pit.
NEWARK, n. j., November 3.
There has been trouble in the Betha-
nv Baptist Church, colored, of Newark,
between the pastor, Rev. Jackson and the
church officers. Three months ago the
white Baptists appointed a committee to
investigate the troubles in the cOngrega-
ton, the result of which was the resigna-
ton of the pastor to take effect October
28th, upon condition that his salary be
paid at that time.
Last Sunday the pastor preached morn
ing aud evening with the understanding it
was his farewell, but when the salary
amounting to $50 was rendered him the
following day he refused to accept it, de-
claring that there was due to him, in addi-
ton, S44 which he had disbursed out of
his own pocket for repairs for the church.
The claim was denied, and payment re-
fused. Rev. Jackson then said he would
preach yesterday as usual and until this
amount was paid, but to prevent him the
church officers stationed
POLICEMAN AT THE PULPIT
previous to the morning services. Rev.
jackson, with four sympathizers, ap-
peared in the church where the officers
were assembled; he was told that he
would not be permitted to preach, and
that another pastor, named Bailey, had
been engaged, and would speak morning
and evening. jackson warned the new
minister not to ascend the pulpit, and
then proceeded to the First Precinct PO-
lice Station with his partisans, followed
by the church officers, but Lieutenant
Finnegan declined to interfere, and adj
vised the officers to lock up the church.
The whole party then left the station
and proceeded back to the church. where
Jackson succeeded by ruse in entering,
and he and his partisans took possession
of the pulpit. Several hundred of the
congregation were present and there was
much excitement, though the policeman
did not interfere. Trustee Allen, one of
the church party, ascended the pulpit and
endeavored to eject Jackson, when one OF
the latter's adherents attempted to inter-
fere and was
THROWN VIOLENTLY OVER THE SEATS
in front and all the occupants of the pull
pit then engaged in the melee. Jackson
struck with his clinched fist at trustee
Allen and the latter was also struck by
Henry Gye, one of the PASTORS friends,
and n scene of great excitement ensued.
The people crowded the aisles, and sew
eral women in sympathy with Jackson
were active in asserting his cause, one OF
them welding a heavy cane and striking
several blows with it. Jackson, who is
seventy years old, still stuck to the pulpit,
but asked that way be made clear for
him.
Nearly all the congregation were be-
coming involved when }. l.. Coles, white
Baptist who lives in the vicinity, entered
the church and endeavored to separate
the combatants, and after some difficulty
he succeeded in inducing Jackson to leave
the church with him. No services were
held, and the doors were locked. Henry
Gyc, who struck Alien, was held for trial.
The services last night were conducted by
the new pastor, Rev. Bailey, who made no
alusiOn to the trouble in the morning,
and nothing unusual occurred.