The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-08-08
POLICE CLEAR A CHURCH.
Rev. ALEX BILLS TROUBLE WITH
HIS CONGREGA TON,

The Disaffected Members of the Sec
ond African;Baptist Church Attempt
TO Hold a Meeting, but are Ordered
Out of the Building by the Pastor
The Police Called in and Put Out the
Lights-A Meeting Held a. ODD Eel
lows He'll
The Second African Baptist church is in
deep trouble. The police were called in
again last night-this time by the pastor
TO clear the church Of what be terms the
disaffected brethren There was no dis
turbance. though, aud when the police told
the congregation to get out, and began
putting out the lights, it went.
Last night was the regular Thursday
night service. 1t has been expected ever
since Monday nights row that the pastor
would refer to the matter in his sermon, but
he did not
OUT TO HEAR WHAT WAS SAID.
The church was crowded, the congrega-
ton numbering between 600 and 700 people.
coming from nearly all of the colored
Baptist churches in the city 70 hear
what Pastor Ellis had TO say. 1t was
q disappointed congregation, for there was
not an allusion in the sermon TO the lis
turoances which have rent the church INTO
factions.
After the benediction had been pro
nounced a part of the congregation leIL
Between 300 and 800 church members,
nsostly of the male side Of the congrega-
ton, REMAINED, as they said. for the pur-
pose of discussing measures for restoring
harmony in the church. and bringing about
a settlement, if possible, Of the differences
between the pastor and the congregation.
ORDERED TO DIsPERsE-
The pastor. when be learned what was
going on, declined TO allow the meeting to
Be held in the church, and ordered the mem
bers 70 leave. This they declined to do, and
asked the pastor TO remain with them. The
pastor, however left and Immediately sent
to the barracks for the police TO clear the
church. Before the meeting organized the
police arrived, and, under authority from
the pastor. ordered the church vacated and
began turning out the lights. The mem
bers left in a body and marched to the bar
racks and inquired of Sergt Reilly, who
was on duty, by whose request the police |
were called out, and they were told their |
pastor.
MEETING AT ODD FELLOWS HALL
The members then went to the colored |
Odd Fellows hall on Harris rect and held |
a meeting and appointed com |
mittce OF five to report a plan for |
restoring harmony in the congregation,
TO report to a meeting to be held as early |
as practicable. A committee oftwo, consist
ing of J. r. Rutledge and S. A. Wilson, was
appointed to prepare a card for publica-
tlon explaining their action and the pastors
action in ordering them TO leave the
church.
The trouble, which has been brewing for
a long time threatens TO disrupt the church.
as the pastor has strong following and his
services are as satisfactory TO his friends as
they are unsatisfactory TO those who would
Ike 70 see him ousted.
AFTER THE PASTORS RESIGNATION.
1t requires two-thirds vote Of the church
membership to call a pastor, but once
called indefinitely, as the pastor of |
the Second church is he cannot |
be removed except for cause, and there |
are no charges upon which the opposition |
party can base an order for his expulsion.
The church constitution provides that three |
months notice be given should the church or
pastor desire to sever their relations. The |
opposition party in the congregation |
is dissatisfied with Rev. Ellis and wants to
remove him from the pastorate, but how to |
do it is question which they have so far |
been unable to solve.
Tonight is the regular covenant meeting |
which precedes the monthly communion |
service on Sunday, and it is expected that |
the matter will come up in some shape or
other.