The state journal., 1884-06-21
WARRING AFRICAN METHO-
DISTS.
The Liveliest Kind of a Row Over
Church Property in South
Carolina.

OhuIcn Is assuming larger proportions
every day, and the seems TO be nc
way now by which there breach can
be healed. In the lower part of the
state eightorten churcher have Joined
the revolt, and unless their demands
are acceded to they will dissolve all
connection with the African Church.
This would he serious loss to the
denomination not only in numbers
but in property, for several of the
disaffected congregations own con.
siderable real estate Of great value.
Two expelled parsons, johnson and
Hayne, are the leaders of the rebels
They have already won two victor
les in the initial legal proceedings,
and are organizing a denomination
OF their own. The case will now 90
into the equity courts to try the titles
to the Morris Brown church in Char
lesion. The loyalists are backed b.
the Southern Methodist Episcopal
conference, and the rebels, it is be
lieved, are receiving aid and comfort
from the Northern Methodist church.
Some of the ablest lawyers in Char
lesion are employed on both sides of
the case, and the churches are keepin
up the interest by raising collections
to pay their fees. Pending the set
tlement of the case the rebels hold
the church building, and the "boy-
cotted" pastor is intrenched in the
parsonage with detachment of po-
lice within easy calling. The rebels
claim that Bishop Dickerson is domi-
necring, that he uses his office to
avenge his private wrongs, and that
the Southern churches have been
ruled by Northern pastors long
enough. The rebels claim that the
dollar fund of the church, which is
devoted to the support of the clergy
drains the pockets of the people, and
that when it is passed over into
Northern handsit is never heard from
again. The truth is, the general
funds OF the African Methodist Epis-
copal church are disbursed by an
agent in Nashville, Tenn, and never
go north, and of the $50 preachers in
the South Carolina conference only
one is Northern man. Many stal-
wart sisters have joined the rebels
and threaten to make mincemeat of
boycotted parson Washington, who
halls from the West Indies and is
man of nerve. Since he was forced
out of his pulpit by mob of sisters,
armed with clubs, no bodily violence
has been offered, but the rebels are
ready to take the war path whenever
the signal is sounded.
Church Work of the Rev. DR.. John
Lyons, Pastor and Flock.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, June 19.-One
of the most prosperous and growing
churches in this Quaker community
is the Olivet Baptist Church, in LON.
bard street near Broad, over which
the Rev, John Lyons, IL. ID. of Har-
risburg presides. When DR.. Lyons
was called to preside over Olivet, the
flock was but a small one, less than
twenty five persons made up the
membership, and but few persons
knew of the existence Of these few
persons who were struggling to es-
tablish church, but to- day the mem
bership numbers over one hundred,
and the average attendance is over
three hundred. The Sunday school
under DR.. Lyons regime has been as
successful as the church in point of
quoto as to numbers and popularity.
The church has among its member
ship some of Philadelphia's most
prominent citizens, and the apprecia-
ton for their minister is shown by
earnest efforts in extending the inter
est taken in the church and providing
for the comfort of their pastor An
excellent choir is now one of the tea-
tures of the church, as is also the ele-
oance with which the room in which
they worship is fitted up. DIR. Lyons
since his connection with the church
has worked earnestly and successful
for its upbuilding, and his intellec-
tual and practical sermona, draw
weekly large numbers of persons to
Oiiyet to hear him. DIR. Lyons is
well known in Harrisburg, where he
Possesses one of the handsOmest resi-
dences owned by any of the colored
citizens in the city, besides having
other real estate in New York State.
|
Reorganized.
A meeting of the Zion Workers,