Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-21
OUT GOES THE CHOIR.
Lively Scenes in st. Pauls
Methodist Church.
A YOUNG LADY 0RGANlST
ReSentS the Unexplained Dismissal
From Her Position.
SHE TALKS RIGHTOUTI In MEETING.
Unexpected Interruptions to the Solemn
Church Service.
A YOUNG LADY ORGANIST
;HE TALKS RIGHTOUTIN MEETING.
THE TROUBLE A LONG TINE BREWING

Rev. John G. Gogley yesterday began his
fifth year as pastor of st. Paul's Methodist
Church in Bloomfield. The year did not
begin auspiciously. For over a year part
of the membership has been dissatisfied with
the minister, claiming that ne is domineer-
ing. A number of the Oldest members have
ceased to attend the church, claiming that
Rev. Mr.. Gogley crowded them out of Off
cial place because they would not always
bend to his will.
Among these old members is Mr.. William
Bast, who was one of the founders of the
church. He has been for some time dissat-
is6ed with the pastors methods Mrs. Bast
is the President of the Ladies Aid Society
Of the church, and that society has been at
cross purposes with the pastor for
several months. Last June the So
ciety prepared to send garments to the flood
sufferers at Johnstown. When this inten-
ton came to the ears of Rev. Mr.. Gogley he
informed some of the ladies that they must
not send the garments without his consent
The clothing was sent, however. Miss Liz
zie Bast has been the organist for the church
and the Sabbath school for eight years.
since she was a little girl. She has per-
formed her duties well, but without pay,
and has even refused a salaried position for
another church.
A SECOND CHOIR ORGANIZED.
The church has had, for several years, q
CAPABLE choir of ladies and gentlemen, who
have frequently been praised by pastor,
congregation and visitors for their excellent
singing. This choir has not sung for the
Sabbath school, and the music committee
proceeded to organize choir Of young peo-
pie for that service.
The music committee consists of NJ. A.
0'Brien, a shoemaker; Robert Muir, tea
merchant, and William Robinson, brick
LAYER. The female members of the choir
belong to the Ladies' Bible class in the
Sabbath school, and they refused to have
Mr.. O'Brien Tor their teacher. They be-
lieved that the shoemaker determined, for
that reason, to get them out and other
singers in. Prior to the meeting of the
Pittsburg conference at East Liberty all
the officers of the church for the current
year were chosen, with the exception of the
organist- OF the seven trustees elected,
three were new members, and Mr.. 0'Brien
was placed at the head of the board.
The first public scene occurred in the
Sabbath school at o'clock yesterday after
noon. When Miss Bast appeared to occupy
her place at the organ and lead the singing,
Mr.. NJ. E. Anderson. the superintendent,
called her aside and told her that choir
had been made up and that she would not be
required to play the organ.
THE LADY WAS PANIED.
The young lady was not only greatly sur
prised but sorely panied. She asked why
she had been so suddenly removed. Mr..
Anderson replied that the change had been
made by the music committee, but that she
need not ask them their reason, because
they would not reveal it. Miss Pogue went
to the organ and the new choir, composed of
five young ladies and one young man, took
their places.
When the lesson for the day had been
read, Miss Bast arose and made quite a
speech. She demanded that she should be
given the reason for her removal. as she
knew that she had been acceptable ior many
years. Superintendent Anderson said that
the change applied only to the Sabbath
school, and that it had been thought best to
organize choir OF young people who would
work together. Mr.. John Williams one of
the teachers, arose and spoke in praise of
Miss Bast He declared himself unable to
see any Just cause for her removal. Mr..
Williams then picked up his hat and left
the church. Another gentleman moved
that the school extend to Miss Bast vote
OF thanks. but that spirited young lady said
that she would not have it.
oRGAEIsT AND CHOIR STRUCK.
Last evening the church was crowded.
The congregation was much larger than is
usual at evening service. The Fourth
Presbyterian Church was closed, and many
of is members were at the Methodist
Church. Miss Bast took her place at the
organ and the members of the old choir were
in their seats. Rev. Mr.. Goglev read the
opening hymn. When he had finished Miss
Bast stood up and astonished the congrega-
tion and pastor by saying that she would re-
sign her position. She had been displaced,
without assigned reason, from the place of
organist in the Sabbath school, and if she
were not good enough to play there she
would not play at the church services. Her
words were emphasized with tears, and she
stepped down to a seat In the congregation
One of the male singers announced that the
choir would go with the organist, and every
one of them left their places and sat in a
row on the front seat below the pulpit.
1t is needless to say that there was pro-
found sensation among the people. Looks
and whispers were exchanged, while the
pastor sat for few moments nonplussed.
There was an expression of serious con-
sternation on his countenance, but he
quickly recovered his eomposure and asked |
his daughter, Mrs. Carey, to go forward.
CALLED on HIS DAUGHTER.
She aHd the other members of the new |
choir assembled to the rostrum. After some
confusion they sang the hymn, but without |
the accompaniment of the organ. During |
the remainder of the service Miss Pogue |
played
Rev. Mr.. Gogley preached q fervid SER |
mon on the serious import of rejection of |
Christ When be had come to the end of |
the proper discussion of the theme, he de- |
voted some minutes to an appeal for unity |
in the church. He besought all the men,
bers to stand by the church and its work.
He said that he had been 81 years in the |
ministry, and would not exchange his place
for the Presidency of the United States. He |
believed that he could do good work in the
church, and asked for the aid of all. He |
loved all, he said, and had a heart large |
enough to take in all, rich and poor.
learned and ignorant. He then called upon
Brother O'Brieu to lead in prayer The con-
gregation knelt, but there was no response
to the call. Mr.. O'Brien was not in the
house, and after Rev. Mr.. Gogley had
waited for half minute, he himself offered
prayer.
After the service was concluded the peo-
pie fingered in the house and about the gate
discussing the events of the day. Some said
that the trouble had only begun, while 9TH
ers predicted a speedy restoration of peace