Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-16
WHICH IS REGULAR?
The Ebenezer Baptist Fight Growing
and White Caps Are Rising.
SAVAGE NOTE TO DEACON JOHNSON
The White Caps Threaten to Put Him in
Hole, If He Doesn't Let Up.
A DISPOSITION TO ROAST REV. PRYOR

A DISPOSITION TO ROAST REV. PRYOR
The colored controversialists of the Eben-
ezer Baptist Church had another hearing
Yesterday before Commissioner Clark, Mr..
Prescott handling the case for the outs,
fanked by Mr.. Broe who supported the as
sault whenever the lines wavered. The
matter gets warmer each meeting, and a
general opposition seems to be crystalizing
on the part of the outs against what Deacon
johnson calls the doctrine of "free-willism,
and which seems to be interpreted and ap-
piled to mean as appertaining to the style of
Rev. Pryor's government.
The following letter, received by Deacon
johnson, indicates considerable animus on
the part Of some one, evidently not inspired
with the teachings Of Him of Whom it has
been said, HE spoke as never man spake."
Here is the missive verbatim ct spellatim
ct pUnctuatim:
ALLEGHENY, PA, Jan. g, go.
Wesley johnson, Sir:
if you come to the cort with the pack of Lies
we the white caps will take you from Pittsburg
in Box. l Don't see why the ColOred People
let you and your click go Round and lie on
buab innocent freaC0er because ever sense he
Has Been IN Pittsburg he has acted as gentle
mau an Preacher wot more than that he Has
spoken al my Parents Church. and all of the
white Congregation Liked Him.
ROASTING THE DEACON.
But there is a Mother thing we Learned to
day through the Collerd people that you and
your click was the cause of one church
splitting in alexandria Va, also one in
Washington. Don't see What Kind of a
crits and false Pretenders and also Peace
Breakers and Shuore you must be a B
Baptis HlppOcrit and you stood before the
Judge and sNRoare that Rev. Prior was a Woo
doism and that was as big a Lie as ever you
tolled crowd of us white fellows was at the
Church one Evening and Heard Him my self
say TO the Congregation not to Believe IN Such
nonsense 50 / Know you did Lie but we are
cOrt with those Lies you taken your oath more
YOU will wake some night and We white Cans
viii make you think the Devil Had you Be
Cause am stonished you called people to try
and do Preacher Dirty as that if you will
Break these laws then look out from White Caps
Allegheny City
Isham Carter, the first witness, said: ''The
church was not conducted as a regular Bap-
-tist church after Pryor came. never got
any notice of charges against me, and was
expelled without cause. Objection was
made to Pryor and council was called, but
the doors we're shut in the face of the coun-
Gil. Rev. Pryor was not there as a member
of the church, not, at least, according to his
own talk. 1 have paid for my lot in full.
got the deed from the Sustentation Society,
My lot was taken of the original lot. %
On cross-examination Mr.. Carter stated
that he didn't know what the charge against
him was, aud had never heard of it until
lately. He said things of late were run
principally to suit the pastor, Mr.. Pryor.
MORTON EXCLUDED TOO.
Isaac Morton testified that he had been
excluded, and for what he knew not. He
had simply heard that the minister had
read his name out as one excluded. Mr..
Morton said the only reason he knew of his
exclusion was that he had objected to the
irregular exclusion of other members. He
had been contributing member. In 1884
witness had seen people voting in the delib- |
erations of the church who were not mem 1
bers. He never got a copy of any charges |
against him, and was never given any chance |
to defend himself
REV. Pryor wasn't a member of our |
church when 1 was excluded" he con-
tinued, 81 went before the Deacon Board |
with grievances, and one member threw nv
paper under the table, and was dismissed !
without any reason being given me- A man 4
named Poindexter came to appear before 4
the church, but as he was not a member of |
the church / paid no attention to him."
Brother jackson said he was summoned |
to stand trial, but was cut off in his state |
ment, and Rev. Pryor ordered that he be put !
out Witness said he was told he could be |
reinstated if he begged pardon, but as ne |
had done no harm he refused to accept the /
condition. He had been ordered out of a
meeting composed of the sisters. He didn't |
know what they were about, but was told l
that it was secret business, and he didn't be- |
lieve in secrecy in church matters.
On cross-examination the witness said he
got his knowledge of the rules and regula-
tons of the Regular Baptist Church from
the Lord. He was opposed to any funny
business in church matters.
Alex. Barbour was excluded in 1886 be-
cause he objected to the way the communion
was given and because he signed n petition
for call of council. The church doors
we're closed against the council. Witness
'aid he had never done anything that he
Knew to be wrong.
JOSEPH WAS DUMPED.
Joseph Ford said he had been dumped
out OF the church, and why he did not know.
He had Joined as close communion1st. and
had demonstrated to Rev. Pryor because he
lad thrown the communion open to all who
Orofessed to be Christians. He said he had
been excluded without charges presented, and
,iven no chance to defend himself. He said
Rev. Pryor was very savage on the occasion
# the exclusion. A little excitement was
when the witness stated that
Rev. Pryor knew that he was periuring
himself if he denied certain allegations.
On cross-examination witness said he
'ould not be charged with circulating ru-
nors about the pastor when they were
llready public, and had been published in
he papers and a woman backed the charges.
Rev. Alfred Jones, one Of the excluded,
AID he mad also been put out for no harm
le had done. He supposed it was because
he had signed call for council to exam
ne the case Of the other members fred. He
aid someone had signed his wiie's name to
he call, and she was also excluded. He !
aid Rev. Pryor was Chairman of the Deacon
SOard, and run it to suit himself; the mem
,ers were excluded without reason, notiica-
ion or trial.
On cross-examination witness denied that |
e had ever played policy or backed chicken
ghting, or had been before the courtou anv
barge whatever.