The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-12
TROUBLE In A CHURCH.
1t Arose Over Pastor, and Threatens Serious
Results to the Organization.

The Sixth Christian Church, located on the
corner of Elm and Pine streets, is experiencing
q quarrel which threatens to disrupt the cougre-
CATION. There have been two explosions from
the church, and about fifty Of the members have
Withdrawn and started a Sunday-school OF their
own. The secessionists number thirteen Of the
seventeen teachers in the Sunday-school The
split occurred some time in June, since which
time it has attempted to bring about reconcil-
iation, but thus far without success. One OF
the factions comprises all Of the official board,
and. a. this BODY is the governing power in the
church, IL has possession or the building.
Both claim to have . majority in
point of numbers; but 1t appears that the official
board Is in the majority in the church, but tho
other fraction the more numerous in the Sun
day-school This brought about no little friction
between the two bodies until the official board
met and dissolved the Sunday-schooL This ap-
peared to be somewhat OF . master-stroke and
left the other faction out in the cold. 1t pre-
cipitated the formation OF tho other school,
which now meets in the hall Of some secret So
ciesy on Virginia avenue aud numbers many OF
the pupils who formally attended the Sixth
Church. After this division the regular church
school Was again organized, and both are now
running.
The trouble appears to have originated over
difference OF opinion concerning the pastor of
the church. Rev. Mr.. Garfield. The latter was
sick for several months and unable to attend to
any OF his duties, and some members In the
church strongly advocated the engagement OF
another pastor. This action opposed by
others, including the official board. and espe-
cislly its chairman, Mr.. j. w. Scrimsher. The
difference Of opinion led to the formation of the
two factions now existing, although the split oci
board voted on the first Of May TO retain Mr..
Garfield. its action was approved by the con-
gregstion. with but two dissenting
votes Nevertheless, It In charged that
ther: was q number of the young people attend
Ing the church who were working continually
against the pastor and the officers. This younger
element was the majority in the Sunday
school. and when the time came for the annual
election OF Sundsy-school officers, chose them to
suit itself. A Mr.. Clemens was elected super
intsndsnt aud Mr.. RYAN assistant supsrintsnd.
emit The official board declared that the officers
should not serve, irasmuch as . portion OF them
were hostile ss they asserted, 70 the officers aud
pastor of the church. Mr.. Clemens, it was also
asserted, was a member Of another church. the
Central Baptist, and he should not therefore,
have been chosen He refused to act IN til tho
trouble was settled, but Mr. Ryan, the assistan
superintendent, was on haud and insisted on
taxing charge of the school One turbulent SEES
sion of this kind was held. and the next week
the official board met and dissolved the Sunday
school and expelled Mr.. Ryan from church.
Then the faction which had chosen the Oh
lection able Sunday-school officers withdrew and
formed a school Of their own. They have sent
a number Of petitions 20 the official board, ask
iug for an adjustment Of the difficulty, but the
latter will not act upon them, and say that il
the seeession:sts wish to return they can do so,
but no terms that will COMPROMISE the church
in any way will DO offered. The seeding fac
ton, therefore, threatens to carry the matter TO
the courts. The removal Of Mr.. Canfsld Is not
asked for. but another election for Sunday
school officers Is requested IL Is also asked that
81. -l.1~~ - Al.
expelled from the congregation be given q hear
ing before any such definite action is taken. s.