The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-27
A CHURCH QUARREL.
Cumberland Congregation and Pastor
A Split Which Threatens the We'll
fare OF the Church.
The Trouble that Came from a
Mediums Seance.
A Sermon Against Which Church
Cmcer Protested.
A Minority Who Think the Pastors
Resignation Essential to the
Restoration of Peace and
Harmony.

lncTe IN uouOle Ol an alarming CnaraC-
ter in Cumberland church.
1t started four years ago and has been
gathering force ever since, until it has as
sumed proportions that threaten tho very
foundations Of the .church's prosperity As
the case now stands, the church is divided
into two factions, each composed OF
wealthy, influential and Jealous members,
but separated by barrier that will keep
them eternally apart unless that barrier is
quickly removed.
The APPEAL has long had knowledge OF
the fact that things were not working
smoothly in Cumberland church, and in
the interest OF harmony and in the hope
that all differences might be adjusted with
out giving publicity to the matters in issue
has reirained from making any mention OF
the serious division that is separating its
membership into hostile faction, but now
that all hope OF harmony seems out OF the
question, all motive for silence is removed,
and as recorder Of news OF public in
terest, tbs APPEAL feels constrained to
give such facts as have come 10 its knowl-
edge.
The trouble owes its origin TO an alleged
departure from orthodox doctrines on the
part OF the Rev. ii. A. Jones, the pastor of
the church. IL appears that some years
ago he attended spiritualistic seance, and
Il is reported that he said TO several per-
son that he had there seen the spirit Of his
deceased wife. Shortly aiterward he
preached a sermon on spiritualism. taking
for his text "The Witch Of Endor," and in
the course OF that sermon said things
against which one of the elders protested
in open church from the pulpit, after the
sermon was over. From that light spark
fame was started which has burned with
varying degrees OF intensity from that day
to this.
An influential minority arc OF the opn.
ion that harmony cannot DO restored with
out the withdrawal OF tho Rev. III. A. Jones
from the pastorate. This his friends will
not permit him to DO. At a recent meet
ing oi the church session he rendered his
resignation, but IL was unanimously de.
clincd. The partisaDs OF the pastor, and
they are in the minority, say that
Hg Is THE VICTIM 90 PERSECUTION,
and that llimsy charges are constantly be-
ing tTumpcd up against him and triumph
antly disprovcd, but be that as IL may, the
minority arr irrcconcilablc and adhere 10
the conviction that with Mr.. Jones in the
pastouitc, harmony is impossible.
Tho situation at present is decidedly
! discoupging. A great many members de-
cline to attend services ut the church,
others have formally withdrawn from tho
| fold, and the end - not yet. TuE APPEAL
las cndcayorcd 30 give both sides fair
| hearing, and It's columns are open Tor that
| purpose. The Rev. III. A. Jones is out Of
the city Of prcscut, or pains would have
beecn taken 90 secure his version OF the
trouble. Other members OF the congrcgd-
ton who weu approached seem 10th 10
discuss the subject.
Having been informed that Mr.. I. n.
snowdcn was identified with the opposi.
| ton 10 the Rev. III. 4. Jones, an AprRNL
reporter called last night nj his residence,
| No. 1903 Vance street, and requested
statement cmbodying the views OF those
who think the best interests Of the Cum
bertrand church viii be subscryed by the
resignation Of 10 prcscn, pastor. Dir. SNOW.
den was decidedly aycrse to talking about the
matter, and deprecated any publication in
reference 20 II, but being assured that a
| publication would he made whether he
talked ~ not, he finally consented 10 ho
interviewed IN order that fair statement
OF the opposiiion's side Of the controversy
should not DO wanting when DR.. Jones
friends bad had their say In print. In
answer % THE APrEAL reporters request
for connected history OF the origin OF the
trouble and lie subsequent development,
Mr.. snowdcn said:
at began about four years ago, when the
congregation was surprised 10 learn that
/ the Rev. Mr.. Jones had attended ono or
more apifitunlistiC seancus nj tho resi-
dcncc oi one OF our leading citizens. IL
wns reported on what was thought TO bc
| reliable authority that the Rev. Mr. Jones
had informed certain persons that lac had
seen the spirits oi his departed wife and
J child, hut IN conversation with me In
reference 10 the scancc, Mr.. Jones did not
mention having seen any spirits. After.
ward lac preached a sermon on Sunday
night, taking for his text The Witch OF
EndoT and IN the course II said sermon
! expressed certain vicNst 10 which Elder w.
X. Stewart took exception, aud after the
conclusion OF the sermon advanced 10 the
| pulpit and obtained Mr. Jones consent 10
mako response, and did 30.
! The next move was made by Elder
! Stewart, who, nj a church session, vigor-
ously attacked the course OF Mr.. Jones.
| By somo complications which am I'M.
able to clearly describe, Judge Craii, also
an elder, was drawn into the controversy,
which eliminated In tho Withdrawal from
the churrh OF Judge Craft. W. X. St.Nnrt
aud wife. J. Clam McDavitt, wife anil
! daughter, and fomc four " five others, all
of whom were mcmbcn Of good standing
aud thoroughly identified with the church
for many ycars.
''Soon aitcrwanl Mr.. r. VI. Patterson
aud called on Nj. Jones 10 $40 II some
terms Of agreement might be- reached,
| looking 10 the return of the seeding mem.
bcrs, 20 which Mr.. Jones readily con.
sanied, and q oommitieo was appointed 10
see each aud all Of thcm. Tho committee
discharged u duty aud reported TO Mr..
Jones that the srccding members declared
that they were still Cumberland Freshly.
trriana. but could not CONSTITUTIONAL 70.
turn 10 the church a. long ~ he was
pastor.
"HArrEEs nENAiNEp ~ srArU qro
for some iimcf whom new cause OF disa.
gp.cmrnt arose owing 10 the failure OF the
treasurer, through lack Of funds, 10 pay
M. Jones salary for n period OF Two
months. Mt Jones wrote letter 10 Mr.
J. II. McDaNii. WHO was president ci the
board OF icacons charging him with be-
ing responsible iur the fact that the pas.
tors salary remained unpaid. This letter
waS aiscouuoous In tone and unchisiiln.
like Ia temper anl added lr,,sh fuel 10 tie
flames which bad long been sluiubcring.
Ala snhsvqnun, meeting OF the Loapl of
dclrons, n, which buih Mr. Jones and NJ.
Mclhviu WIRE present. u VIZ clearly