The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-01
ITEMS In VIRGINIA.
EXPULSION OF MEMBERS FROM
a BAPTIST CHURCH.

The stafford County Gold Mines TO be
worked-Ancr the Fairfax Barn Burn
cr- Danvine's Big Tobacco shipments
Colonel McCabc's Lecture.
PETERSBURG. Va. Feb. 2s.-lSpocial. r.
The trouble which has existed in the con-
gregaiion Of the Ilarrison-street Baptist
Church. i'm this city-Rev.C. Il. W. Gordon.
pastor for some time past. resulted last
night in thirty-fyo members being expelled
from the church. The meeting was pre-
sided over 10y the pastor. and did not adj
journ until o'clock this morning. Rev.
Mr. Gordon was seen hy The TINES cor
respondent this morning and asked
fog statement in regard TO the
trouble in the congregation. lie said:
son Tuesday night last our house Of
worship was locked up and the c0ngrega-
ton which assembled as usual for prayer
meeting services. were forced 20 remain on
the street. | thought 10 strange that such
should Doe the case and made some inquiry
touching the matter. Two Of the trustees
and several of the deacons told me
that they knew nothing about the church
being closed. and that they had given no
orders 90 that effect whatsoever. ! ascer-
tanned from some of the members that an
effort was ON foot 90 have the church closed
10y taking The names OF an members who
were favorable 90 such action. and that the
church would b3 opened ON Thursday night,
ms "a strange minister was 10 preach. which
would be the last time for "A season. as I
would mo- more conduct services therein.
This, of course. shocked me considerably.
] l "A. I.f t4Itr 1 l.I
been elected Oy the memlers. and held the
highest Office: that no one else had
the right TO object 90 the
house being opened on an occasion ON
regular service. except DO was done
hy vote of the majority Ol the members of
the church. male and female. So / thought
as thedo0r, of the church would Doe opened
ON Thursday night 10 would be- "a good OppOr
tunity for me 90 inquire into the causes and
prevent, If possible. auy future trouble.
Therefore, after the preaching last night Dy
visiting minister. Rev. II. II. Mitchell. State
missionary of Danville. I stated the matter
90 the church and the following resolution
was adopted:
"'Whereas. cur church Of worship was
closed on Tuesday wight February 25tn, /
1890. and the congregation was forced 10 re-
main ON the street i'm consequence of which; /
and whereas. there mas been going on for
several months ln our midst "a conspiracy |
against the church, which has greatly dis /
turhcd our peace. be DO
''RosOlyed. Ihei fl'.. house 60 into q busi- /
ness meeting forthwith. TO consider the /
causes of these things. ana remedy them If /
possible, that we may haye no further lrOu- /
ble.'
"Ihe sexton, j. =. Fisher, was called 20 /
state why he failed TO open the church on /
Tuesday night. lie stated that De had not |
received any official instructions contrary 10 /
opening the church, but simply thought it /
not necessary 90 do so. / then sought 90
lind out about a list of names that were
being taken with view Of having the
church closed on sunday. ! asked If any
one in the house knew anything about the
matter 90 please come forward and state
their knowledge of it i'm full, fearless 0fman.
Robert Jones arose and said he could /
lead the moderator 90 the light of the whole /
matter; that he had been asked 10 sign a /
list, which hc did sign, % have the doors Of /
the church closed before sunday. He knew /
the place whore he signed the list and the /
persons who induced him 20 do so, and after /
making this statement wept bitterly
"SeYeral others followed on and stated in /
substance what had been stated by Jones. /
all of which were used as church evidence. /
"All parties implicated were called /
and charged before the church TO /
answer why they had, as indiyid- /
th0rity belonging 90 the whole church. The /
matter was thoroughly siftcd, and all par /
ties found guilty were excluded from the /
fellowship of the church. thtrtyOdd in all. /
including those who We're found guilty of /
conspiracy against the church and the pas
tor.
"Ihc meeting was harmonious. and as
the guilty parties were excluded they quiet
ly withdrew from the congregation. We
are hopeful now of peace i'm the congrega-
tlon being restored, and the church that has
been tossed upon The iempesiuOus waves
of conflict for several months will now re-
tain her integrity and pursue her onward
march 20 success. AZ the close of the meet
ing resolutions of peace. love and unity
were unanimously adopted, and the sisters
accorded their rights and privileges, which
had heretofore been restrained by the con-
Ienti0us party
Those Who are opposed To- Gordon claim
that the meeting held last night was not ac-
cOrdng 90 the rules of the church. and
therefore the action taken was not legal.
Further trouble in the church is expected.
Henry Moore (cOlored), who was 10 have
been hung to-day at Emporia. Greeusville
county, FOR murder, but whose sentence was
few days ago by the Governor
10 eighteen years Imprisonment in the peni-
ientiary. was taken over 20 that institution
.O serve out his sentence Moore left the
iail in this city. where he has been confined,
In excellent spirits, and before taking leave
lf Randall Watson, another negro, who is
b. be hung at Emporia next month, gave
him a quarter.
The lecture given at the Academy of
Music tonight by Colonel W. Gordon Nc
Cabe, for the benefit Of the a. J.. Hill Camp
Confederate Veterans, was very largely at
IHfIf... Il Inv a.
Petersburg Crews, attended i'm a body. I'm
ull dress uniform. The subject was "Ihe
siege of Petersburg The lecture was de-
iyered in Colonel McCabe's usual eloquent
style, and was much enjoyed by the
arge audience.