Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-02-26
DELAWARE AVENUE WAR
THE OFFICIALS TRY To SHDR THE
FORM ER PASTOR.

THE OFFICIALS TRY re- SHOB THI
FORM Eh PASTOR.
And are severely Denounced-Mr
Haldeman Heard He Receives ai
Ovation from the Gong reg alton
The Gas Earned Ont by Trustee
From Every yvenIng Of thursday.
The regular mid week service OF prayer
vas held in Delaware Avenue Bzptis,
Church last evening, Deacon PancoA Asi
Allen leading. The knowledge OF the
tormer aud much beloved pastor, the
Raw. Isaac NJ. HsldemAn, being in the
city and the anticipation that he would
attend and take an active part in the
services brought together q large
congregation. Deacon Allen opened
the services ct the usual time
and in . few moments alter the
meeting had quietsd, Mr.. HAldeman
entered and quietly took 8 seat in side
pew near the front OF the church. There
WIS q oraning Of neoks as the pastor
entered and the expectation Of de
lightful evening was pictured on the iaos
| Of nearly every one In the large oongre.
CATION. Much to the surprise of every
one Mr.. Allen, who was leading the ser.
vice, did mot recognize the presence of
Mr.. Haldeman but ooatinusd the exer-
discs. Il was expected that the
former pastor would be invited by
the deacon to take an active part In the
exercises, II not lead them. The impres.
sion OF expectancy among the oongrega-
tion was changed TO disappointment As
the hour for dismissing what is character
ized as q very "drsggy meeting" drew
near, and Mr.. Haldeman had mot been
invited to speak. Mr., Allen had previously
announced the meeting open to all who
desired to say anything, but did not
personally invite Mr.. Haldeman TO speak.
A member OF the congregation arose in
his place and announced that the "former
pastor is smongst ia and every one here
tonight would be happy to hear his dear
voice again." The statemt mt was made
with much feeling and brought resp onsss
in sobs from all parts Of the ohurch
Many ladies were in tears, indignant and
humilis,ed ct the treatment Of Mr.. Hal.
deman by the officials. Tbs request that
the deacon invite Mr.. Haldeman to speak
wss made by several other parties but
did not have the desired effect of in.
duoing Deacon Allen to extend
apersonal invitation to the pastor. This
persistence in refusing to obey the
demands Of the congregation created
great CONSERVATION and excitement, and
Mr.. Allen arose and said he had not
debsrred any one from speaking tonight,
and acting under advice had mot person.
ally invited Mr.. Haldemsn to take an
active part in the exercises. The call
for MIR. Haldeman to speak was repeated
and made with snoh emphasis
that the invitation was At length extended
b m. He arose and just rs
he had began, Trustee Charles Simmons
interrupted him, 10 make the statement
that he was responsible for NJ. ALIENS |
setions, as he had advised him not TO |
invite Mr.. Hsldeman to speak. This |
admission created q genuine sensation,
with expressions OF disapproval and |
hearty disgust from all sides. Another /
member OF the church, who has hereto
tore taken sides with the officers Of the
church, arose aud In severe measures
denounced Deacon Aliens action, saying
that IT was ungeutlemanly and not even
common courtesy.
MurmuEs of approval were heard on all
sides and after the oommOtioJ had
Mr.. Haldemap continued in his
usual eloquent style aud was listened to
with marked attention. After he had
resumed his seat Deacon Allen arose and
excttedly and In q threAteniDg tone
demanded that the church stand by its
, tfiasrs, and at the same time mad9 tn
surprising etAtemsnt that he hsd lssrned
more from Mr.. Hgldeman's teachings than
he had all his III, before. After this
which crested some stir,
Deacon Allen etiil further furprised the
congregation by inviting the pastor so dis
miss the meeting, which was performed
In the usual way. Directly sfter its dis
solution Mr.. Hsldemsp received perfect
ovation. Ths cOnsreestieh q loked about
him and exchanged the hehrtisst OF
greetings and we'll wishes, and deplorsd
the treatment TO which be had been sub
,ected by the officers of the church
Even those who have bsen inactive in the
1hurch's troubles since Mr.. Haldeman's
oastorEte hero endsd came forward aud
,xierded their greetings and expressed
.hets intense modification at the treat
nent he hsd received.
Following the ovation the officers Of the
church IN atlendaooe approached the
pastor and soma personal explanations
ollo Fed Ths debate grew vsFy ani.
nGted, the assertions and contrAd iotione
neing very emphatic lu the midet OF
he conversation and bsfore some of the
congregation had an opportunity of pay.
ng their respects to Mr. Haldsmap,
Charles Simmons, as president of the
Board of Trustees ordered the
anitor to extinguish all the liPhtS with
he idea ct iEims diR;ely scattering the a..
,emblsge. The sexton COMPLIED with the
,rdef or had all the lights turned of
but o,e, and was proceeding to exiin.
'ulsh 1t whsn pushed aside and pre-
rented from so doing by woman Mrs.
simmons sh rtly vert 10 the sexton's
'escue snd succeeded in turning of the
burner, so aot heartily condemned by
1esrly sll present, The congregation
hen Rroped its way out Of the darkened
building smid great excitement and ex.
oreesions Of indignation on all sides.
Mr.. HsldemkD, in his explanation,
'mpha;ios!ly denied the charge that hs
vas the leader Of 3 faction, and stated that
le III friend Of Delaware Avenue Bsp.
lat Church, and always willing to do
in his power 80 heln it."
M Mmbeis Of the congregation were seen
his moraiDg by an livery RvENING re
,orteF. They stated they .sd not thus
SE token ary part ia the trouble
II the oh1Goh, bat the sotian OF
be ofiiotra iaat evening they sa
,ereiy md empbatieslly GsnounosJ
rae Trustees and descoUS, they held,
soCd almost entirely alone, and their
lction las. evening he'd aroused nearly
very one in opposition 60 sheir course,
md had brought nearly svsFy member OF
he congregation TO the dsfenge OF Mr.. Z
Isldemsn. Nothing more outrageous
han the treatment Of the former pastor. '
hey held, has ever been peTpstr&ted in
his oily within the WAlla OF building q
leiiosted to wOrship
1t is also the opinion OF several lady
n smbeFs of the church who were inter I
Iiewsd that the congregation can never !
sunite, last Right's proceedings being OF /
uGh nature as to make unity i'm I
'ossible. Many Of the ladies' feel ksenly
he diegracs brought upon the oongre- I
a'ion and are considering the -everenos /.
4 their mt mbership from the ehurnh I