Morning journal and courier., 1884-01-09
The Bethel Church Troubles.

Rev. MT. St1nBbury and the Trustees 1u COurt-the Hearing Adjourned.
 In the City court yesterday morning John F. Williams, Hezry Fl. Phillips and John Norcom, the trustees who sjsctsd Rev. John B. Stansbury from the pulpit, Sunday, De- cembsr 30, because he attempted to preach without their consent, were arraigned for breach of the peace. Ths trio were arrested last Wednesday. One charge against them was that of disturbing g religious meeting. The spectators seats in the City court were occupied by interested colored citizens and the attorneys table was piled up with an unusual display of legal authorities. The first witness called was Rev. MT. Stansbury, the elected and rejected minister. He testi- fled as follows:
 1T am 8 clergyman of the African M. E. church. On Sunday, December 30, I was congregation present. While was discours- ing the door opened and crowd that was headed by John Norcom, followed by Mir. Phillips John F. Williams and several others, walked up towards the pulpit, stamping the floor with their feet as they came. MT. Nor com stood in front of the pulpit, looked up at me and said: You can't preach in that pulpit Come down out of there.' I think it was three times he said this. continued my discourse, paying no atten- tion to what he said. He then walked up into the pulpit and caught me by the arm and said: Brother Stansbury, you can't preach in this pulpit I continued to preach, and he repeated what he had be- fore said. I then turned to him and said: Don't disturb me while I am preaching Then H. H. Phillips stood in front of the pulpit and said three times, Take him down. Then Williams also came into the pulpit, and he and Norcom caught me by the arms. I said, as ierked my arms away from them, Don't assault me- but by that time they had thrust me out of the pulpit. When reached the floor Phillips got behind me and assisted by pushing me. In that way they ran me down the aisle of the church to the door of the vestibule. When we got out MT. Norcom was talking to somebody in an'angry tone, and reaching back as if to strike. I heard him say You blody bugger, and then I found myself on the sidewalk, and that ended it as far as the assault was concerned" ]"
 When the reverend gentleman had finished his story Judge Sheldon, who, together with E. c. Dow, appeared for the accused, started to cross examine him.
 "What you mean by saying you were in my pulpit is particularly what I want to find out" said Mr. Sheldon, and he proceed ed to do 50 in such roundabout way that Judge Stualey objected to the line of quss- tioniDg, but finally concluded to let Mir. Sheldon proceed if ex-Judge Blydenburgh, who was assisting the prosecution, had TO objection.
 It appeared from the cross- examination that Mr. Stansbury had attended an informal meeting of the trustees on Wednesday sven- ing, December 26, and he then informed them that he had been sent to take the pas toral control of Bethel by Bishop Brown of Washington. Friday evening regular meet ing of the board of trustees was held in the church. MT. Stansbury appeared before them and read the following certificate of appointment
 "Under protection of Almighty God.'
 A. M. E. Church Pastoral Oredsntisls
 'fShow thysslf a workman approved unto God.''
 This is to certify that Rev. John B.. Stans- bury Is appointed to the pastoraA cnarge or Bethel church, New Haven. the said church being under the jurisdiction of the New En- gland annual conference of the A. M. E. church.
 Given under my hand and the denomiAa- tionaI seal at the Episcopal Rooms, this 11th day of December, 1883.
 JOHN M. BROWN.
 Presiding Bishop.
 When he had finished reading this he was informed that Bishop Brown had not used Bethel's congregation right and that they had appointed the Rev. MT. Johnson their pastor, that they would keep him and therefore he CStansbury) could not preach. The latter then told them that, nevertheless, he should do his duty on Sunday. He was then asked if he intended to attempt to preach; he replied that he would. $ This announcement was followed by a gen. eral tumult. The trustees all insisted that