The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-21
ABAD CASE OF THE BLEWS.
THE coLoRED BAPTIST coNGREaA-
TON AT BARTLETT IN A STEW.
It's Kingly but Obnoxious Pastor Fired
for Running the Raleigh Hotel on
sunday-He Appears at the Church
Sunday, Raises u Row and lie Arreste d.

The colored Baptist congregation OF
Bartlett is afflicted with very bad case OF
the "Blews"
II began fifteen years ago, at first very
pleasantly, but rs time wore on and the
infection refused 10 be shaken of, the
congregation became worried, then rebel
lious, and finally desperate.
The Rev. Alexander Blew is a familiar
parsonage TO a great many people Of this
city. lie is the colored individual who
can always be found at the Raleigh Springs
hotel, which, at the beginning Of spring,
he rented for the season.
Fifteen yelB ago, Alexander, then a
young man, was called 10 lead the colored
Baptist congregation at Bartlett. For a
long time his ministrations were successful
and the congregation prospered 10 a fiat
terng degree. OF late, however, a sort
OF 'dy rot set IN. The old
members wrestlcd with the problem.
They saw tho young blood gradually re-
turning 10 worldly habits and pleas.
urcs: they were seldom at meet
ing and when they did come il seemed to
DC lor no other purpose than 10 "scc do
gals" as II goes, they contributed little 10
the cause Of religion, morally oriinancially;
even the older members didn't seem 10
care much whether school kept or not.
A crisis came several months ago in the
minds OF the dcacons aud after due con-
alteration Il was resolved 10 have achangc
OF pastor.
In carrying out this resolve came an un.
expected dcnoucmenL The good brother
who was appointed 20 convey the iniorma-
ton 10 Fro. Blew performed hisduty. Bro.
Blew said nothing at the time, but he
sawed grcad deal Of wood. Tho next
Sunday. after delivering powerful dis
course, and getting hold of his congrcga.
tion's sympaihies, he arose In the pulpit
and announced, "lt viii now be in order
fer some member 10 move de dispulsion OF
Dekin -, who hab de presumption o.
Ak me 10 cit out fer some new man
There was momcntary CONSERVATION, but
n friend OF Bro. Blew made the motion n,
pcr instruction, the deacon was turned
out in the cold and for a season no on,
questioned openly the pastors efficiency
fhs experience was repeated more than
ores. until finally Bro. Blew was fcgulai
E1ng over his flock.
There must be an end 70 this religious
psii.ica and social thralldom. Broihe
-. Hcw. being one against the many, mus
inevitably he swampcd, sooner or later
little did he dream, when lac went int
the hotel business at Raleigh 10 accommo
date white visitors 10 the resort, that thi
would be the weapon used again.
him. AZ conference last week, th
charge OF working on the Sabbath was pre-
forrcd against him, and an order panse
excluding him from church membership
II uHft L.
was conveyed 10 the dcposod and exclude
Observation-Disclosures, and on Sunday b
appeared at the church ~ usual. A larg
congregation was assembled.
When brother Blew entered the built
inc. little late, he took In the siiuatiO
at one glance. Ills successor was In III
pulpit, had announced the openlr
HYMN, and the congregation was singer
II with unusual zcst and crescent. Whs
the new preacher arose In u
pulpit, Brother Blew arose fro
his scat In tho opposite end
the house. As the new preacher a
nounccd his text and began 20 oxhort j
hearers BRO. Blow did likewise. Gre
commoticn ensued, during which sor
crowded around the rcscucr from Blcwi
thralldom. the dcacons aud few muse
lar laymen crowded around the int
uptor. but the females a
Younger element Of males i
Inc house without oven an attcm
a, ceremonies 90 the prophecies usua
observed at religious meetings. The
who pressed Brother BleNi down say
ali ever 80 many things 20 provoke, Y
ience, but, "a one Of them expressed
1--WE warn't gwine TO hit him. He
wanted 10 get de law agin US" To the no
Of Squire W. X. Cross, who lived neat
delegation has,ened and sworc out y
rant against the dis,uTber, charging !
with disturbing public worship. IL
- issued, served by removing the offender
a lookup, but there was no such thing
restoration Of order and pious thong
ON that day and no attempt was made
Bro. Blew's trial came of last nif
Tho prosecutors wanted TO know OF 81
Cruss, who Is engaged In the city ey
day, and reaches home about ocl
nm, what arrangements he had made
lie trial. ~ have arranged 10 have SUP
.I., ,,...r nv arrival nj homo. and