The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-19
THE SECOND AFRICAN BAPTIST
CHURCH TROUBLE.
The Anti-Ellis Faction Give Their
Side of 1t.

4Ao Anbi-blliS HRCbiOn 1--WE TQetr
--.- Side of 1t.
SAVANNAH, GA, Sept. 1S.-Editor Morn
ing NetOs: Please allow US space in your
paper to give 10 an impartial public the
true condition of affairs that happened at
our conference meeting held Sept. 15 Facts,
though true, are stubborn things We,
the members OF the Second African Baptist
church, would like to put before the public
undeniable facts In regard to the disgrace
full scene which happened on the morning
of Sept. 16. The meeting was called to
order by Rev. Ellis; the minutes of
the previous meeting were read.
The chairman stated that the minutes
having been read, asked what further dis
position would be made of them. A brother
motioned their adoption, which, when stated
by the chair. was objected to by brother,
saying taat the minutes showed that the
resolution that was offered at the previous
meeting with reference TO the pastors term
of office, which terminates Sept. 80, 1899, as
he the PASTOR claims, was tabled
At this point of the meeting several
brothers arose to speak. One b, other on
the other side called for the previous ques-
ton, which was put, aud resulted as follows:
Anti-Ellis faction -. .......... =. .. 267
After the pastor saw that he was behind
in votes he held the gap. Motions that he
did not rule out he would not put After
waiting fully two hours on the pastor to
preside he was asked to vacate the chair
and refused to do SO, which gave rise to an
other chairman, with no Intention to unseat
or drag out the pastor from his seat, as was
stated in the issue of the NEWS of Sept. 16
The brethren intended to do business, even
if they had to do it by electing a chairman
Efforts were made to procure chair for the
elected chairman. At this stage the pastors
friends, as reported, interfered and tried to
prevent the seating of the elected chairman,
j. T. Jones' And we do most positively say
that some of the brethren named were not
near the pulpit, and those that were near
made no effort-to interfere with the pastor
III his chair. The brethren on the other
side who received blows made the first
assault. AS to the ready revolver, only one
was seen, f1ourishing in the hands of Floyd
Honor, friend of Ellis.
AS for the statement about beaten
and bloody men jumping through win
dows with chairs flying after tnem, as
they made their exit. it is not correct. In re-
gard to the destruction of the church, only
two globes on bracket light were broken
and few chairs that were brought from
the infant class room by Ellis side were
freely used by them We notice a state
ment made by Ellis with reference to the
origin of this trouble, in which the pastor
placed the burden of it on Mr.. G. F. Waters,
a member of the choir, which we would
reverse. He claims that Mr.. Waters gave
him the indirect liz, which is untrue. He
also claims that it was a personal matter
between him aud Mr.. Waters. If
this was personal. and not
public, where was it uttered from2 At a
public service OF the church and from the
pulpit. We notice in the editorial columns
of the MORNING NEWS Of Sept 16 that it
says that il we are dissatisfied with Rev.
Ellis, why not withdraw? or, if we have
charges against him, to prefer them, etc.
We would like to call the MORNING NEWS
attention to a resolution of the anti-Elis
faction published in that paper on Sept. B,
giving fully our will in regard to Rev.
Ellis stay with u.s. The MORNING News
advises us to withdraw. Why should we
withdraw from our house of worshipa AS
members that have been united for eighty
eight years, we mutually agree upon all
matters except the retaining OF the present
pastor, and we, the undersigned me nbers,
voiced the sentiments of the majority of
that church, as was proven last conference.
Our white friends have always said TO us as
people, t'Be united" Now. the NEWS says
sever those ties that go back nearly hun
dred years. No, we say; let the one
sore eye evil go, and let us
as people that have been working for the
up-building of the kingdom of Christ these
many years. still be united, for there are
enough one-horse churches amongst us now.
This is Christ-hke, is it! Our pastor said
during conference, as the night is growing
old, 'let US sing We Won't go Home
Until Morning." We say to Parson Ellis,
"Let your light SO shine that men may see
your good works and glorify your Father
which is in heaven"
ANTI-ELIIs MEMBERS.