New-York tribune., 1885-02-06
NINETEEN APOLOGIES MADE
MODERATOR RoBERTss GOOD WORK.

PEACE IN THE ORIENT AVENUE CHURCH DEACON
IEwIss MANLY COURSE.
"Love One Another" was the motto that hung
above the organ In the lecturs-roOm OF tho Orlcnt
Avenue Congregational Church, In East New
York, last night. when o TRIBUNE reporter
took his seat In front pow. All
the deacons were present, including Deacons Sci.
mon and Kelsey, with their wives, and Mrs. Greene
and Mrs. Bennett, who espoused the Salmon side In
the strife that has ragged in the congregation for tho
last month. The meeting was called early In the
week after the rotous proceedings in front OF
the church for the purpose of expelling Deacon
Salmon. A paper had been served on Mr.. Salmon
informing him that he was 20 be expelled for con-
duct unbec0mIng to a Christian" aud bidding him
to be ready with his witnesses.
In the meantmethe account Of the trouble pub
lished in The TRIBUNE on Monday had
shocked the entire Congregational denomi-
nation in Brooklyn. The Rev. DR.. Roberts. Of the
Rochester-ave Church, who is the moderator Of
the Congregational Association, has been busy
during the week pouring oil on troubled waters.
He persuaded the contending factions to make tho
meeting one of reconciliation instead of one for the
expulsion of Deacon Salmon. Such was the state
of affairs when the deacOns met in the ecture-room
last night.
The moderator opened the meeting with prayer.
called them together might be the means Of bring
ing their hearts together and that the spirit love
would brood over the meeting. Pastor Graham
said that the object of the meeting was to expel
brother. He besought the deacOns to yield to
spirit of concession and love. He asked that tho
charges be withdrawn. "We are not.' said
the good man, what the world aros
seeking to injure each .other bnt we are bound
together by ties of love-" He called on Quo OF tho
hoard of deacOns to withdraw the charges mado
against Mr.. Salmon.
There followed pause. which was broken when
Deacon Stewart rose in his place AID formally
moved that the charges be Withdrawn. lt was
between Doacons Stew art and Kelsey that the fight
of the board Of deacons having jurisdiction in tho
matter who favored withdrawing the charges 20
rise in their seats They all rose 5Sgether together and h.
stamped his foot to emphasize his, words, while
Moderator Roberts smiled approvingIy:. =,
not t an apology due to him from Deacons Davis aad
Lewis for their assertions that he had caused tho
trouble to get into the newsgspers i cannot tGr.
apology is rendered me-"
the 9s prosram%e and the moderator looked aneasy
at the deacons to see who was willing to eat hum
| bic pie. Deacon Davis rose slowly.
III have said orr done any thing against Brother
Kelsey he said, lit was done without my knowl-
"Brother Davis,o said Deacon Kelsey, "in pass
| ing me last Sunday didn't 1 say Good morning;
|
That's so. Brother Kelsey, but take it back"
| Then the two deacons advanced toward each
other and shook hands. The moderator said
GOOD Y
81 am glad to meet my brother" said Deacon
II glory in that spirit responded Deacon
| Davis.
The same scene was enacted between Deacons
| Kelsey and Lewis. Then Deacon Salmon rose. lie
wanted public apology made to him by Deacon
| Davis for certain statements, Deacon Davis said
that he made them, but in the spirit OF peace
! aud harmony he apologized. Apologies and hand
shakes followed all around. Deacon Salmon was
| childish IN some of his charges. BAT he received
| nineteen apologies by actual count. Then Deacon
| Lewis, whom Deacon Salmon had called " con-
| temptible sneak" rose. He said IN a voice husky
| with emotion that Salmon owed him an apology
for the hard names he bad called him:
| But you gave ME provocation." said Deacon
| Salmon, "and while l called you hard names last
Sabbath day. did you not in meeting state that my
| successor was better chorIster than myselff
| Don't you think you owe me an apology 7"
"No," replied Deacon Lewis, " for do think bis
| music is the best
Well that's pretty cool, he remarked
1t looked a. i The good rcsou n OF the deacons
| mons obstmacy. The moderator slipped over TO
| Deacon Lewis. He whispered in ais ear Then
Deacon Lewis rose and with tears pouring down
his cheeks he SAID
Brother salmon. I am an American. q! try to
uphold my blood and name | am proud OF II.
Those were hard names Won called me and nave
feat bitter toward you Brother salmon 0at I;iy ify
you take back anything I've sald." ana nc
crossed over to where the Scotchman stood ana
held ont his hand. Mr.. Salmon took 1t, and dd not
have manness enough 70 retract the nara
names he had called Deacon Lewis. .
The love feast wound up by THE TRIBUNE re-
porter rising and making a sweeping apology for
the article he had written on sunday.