New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-17
DR. FULToN's FLOCK STIRRED.
TROUBLE rNANorHER BROOKLYN CHURCH

a srouer TO TIE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Az
yAra-pANaxR or a SPLIT IN THE SOCIETY
Thsre Il trouble in the Rev. Dr. Justin ID. Fulton's
Centennial Baptist Church In Adelph-st, Brooklyn
and the prospects are that there will be moro before
tAiuss are settled II has been going On for weeks,
lat the matter will reach climax on Friday night
The difficulty had its origin In an incident familiar
n the public One morning early Last summer Jere-
uniah Counsellor. insurance agent OF Newark tell
dead at the Brooklyn entrance OF the Bridge lie was
accompanied BY Dr. Edward r. Knight. who at once
sent word OF his death to Hiss bennington OF No. l04
Clinton ave. Brooklyn and later to Mr.. Coun 'eliors
family In Newark II stated that Miss bennington
WA an advpted daughter OF the dead man, but his
family at frat claimed to know nothing about her.
Aferward they Acknowledged her as an acquaintance
Rumors alleging improper relations to have existed
between the oans % Rn spa denied in tine
emphatic way He SAID that Miss Donningtoas her
was lifelong friend OF Mr. Counsellor and 1t was IN
obedience to the fathers dying request that Mr. Soun
selor had looked after the young woman and her
mother. go ~, c,,,
death attracted much attention that Miss looming
ION became an obisct of consd srabe interest TO GER
tain persons. She complained OF the annoyance 10
which she subjected. such as letters OF al un
and in instances improper character tat
were lent her and requests Tor interviews by men she
dill not know know She was annoyed 80 mucn
and complained much about II that Mrs hnghtl tne
doctor,s wife invited her to board with them: both
DIR Knight and his wi fe are members oil Dr rulton
church When their pastor Learned wndI 'G dS p not
think that Dr. X ligit church member had done
ri hf in taking Miss Donnington into his house The
marter he declared, absolutely disgusting, ana
sbond not be p,rn,tted. DIR. Knight heard these
remarks and felt equally indignant at what he Thought
unwarraned interference on the psrt OF ,ne psS.or
He defended his course toward MISS bennington
vigorously and many OF the congregation sded WIN
him that Dr. Fulton was unable to have him expelled
when he attempted TO do so. Bat oommitIe &c was
ed IN
ported fortnight ago at meeting OF the congrega-
ton This report. 1t is claimed was virtual ihdorse
uept of DIR Knight. in that it urged that the wfoe
subject be dropped The recommendatioh OF 'hc
committee was adonted by vote of Is too.
At meeting held last Wednesday night the matter
was recousdeIed at tho insti1ation of the pastors
friends and a con mittee. conposed, II is eald OF
members favorable to DIR. fulton, was put on It, |
Tb. committee will report Friday night. when II
a expected that there will be OF the most animated
meetings held by the church The friends OF both
parties are greatly eAed ana the fenas T su ot
the congregation An officer OF the church SAID last
night: .,.. c,,.:..;o,,
ro tves IN giving Miss bennington a home. The
young Girl was being constantly annoyed aud nsultcd
Her own mother had gone back IN her, 80 to speak.
and she had 10 go 10 but these trends OF ner
dead adoptcd father She appealed TO them, and l
don't see how they could refuse TO give her nome.
II made no difference think what sort OF lie she
nj tue time But am that they think as and
the majority of the congregation hcllcve. that the
young womans character IS unblem ished ihihk'hg
perfectly natural for them TO Try TO help her
i have heard il said that Miss Donningtops mother
has told DR. Fulton things about the young lady that
were not creditshe. IL seems ~ me that mother
shoud DC the last person in the world to do this, aud
co aid not have much confidence in any woman that
would do such thing. believe that Mira Donnm1-
with Knights Miss bennington has money OF her
own-not much, perhaps, as some think-but sui
she has money This fact NAV account Tor the
quarrel between her aud her mother"
other mrn,bers of the church spoke highly of Dr.
KNIGHT. lie became acquainted with Mr. Counsellor
from being medical examiner OF some o1 the insurance
companies that Mr.. Counsellor represented. Said
one member: " Dr. knight is well known TO the con-
gregaiOn and well liked by ali. lie Is deservedy
popuar. and when he asserted that the relations be-
tween Miss bennington and Mr.. Counsel or were those
Of adopted father and daughter think the ma of1ty
Of the church believed him. Bear in mind that he
did not bring the young woman to his house. IL vas
Mrs KNIGHT who had her come and Mrs. Knight Is
one of the most exemplary Christian women In the
rity."
Dr. Fulton was seen at his home, No. 255 Carlton
ave. but declined tn discuss the matter lie said that
al article the affair published yesterday AFTERNOON
con, aimed several misstaements. but to make correc
tons would only lead 10 a newspaper controversy
winch he had no wish to engage ia feel. he
ADDED that it is not vet time for me TO say anything
ON the matter one way the other. but when the
proper moment arrives shall do So Beng an Ola
newspaper man kn'w what press oiScuss'oh i'n-
Plies" -,
Some OF the church people assert that the matter will
end 10 a request for DIR. Fultons resignation while
others clam that the whole matter is not worth the
attention that been given IT, 1t IS SAID, re-
marked gentleman. y that Dr. Fulton has been
col Getting evidence in Newark and elsewhere 10 show
the relations that existed between Mr. Counsellor and
Miss bennington. ! hope this is not true What in
the world have the past lives OF these people TO do with
us as a church, | should like to know Asa friend
OF the church. sincerely regret that this thing has
for ii is certainly going do grea deal
oil all around
Friends of the pastor defend his course by saying
that ne did he thought was his duty as minis
ter and that he not actuated by any personal ee
nc TO ward DR.. Knight or Miss bennington In view
pf all that said about the young lady in the papers
don't think that Or. FuitOn's action was unsound."
Baid OF his defenders.