Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE prsrArcr.,

over an accusation that Would-De memDer
OF the church bought beer and used it.
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPArcHY
NEW YORK, April 28.-The Rev. John z.
Fray was called liar several times by diff
ferent members of his congregation while
he was preaching his farewell sermon in the
Congregational church at Rockaway Beach
on Sunday evening. Mrs. Jamison, the
wife ofDr. John Jamison, was the first to
speak up. The congregation is said to have
applauded her action.
This church has been in a turmoil for
years. The first trouble occurred when
membership was refused to Peter Lihou and
his wife on letters from the Hanson Place
Methodist Church. of Brooklyn. Mr.. and
Mrs. Lihou kept an art store in
Brooklyn. Deacon John Jamison and
Deacon Charles Crabbe were active in
their opposition to Mr.. and Mrs. Lihou.
The Lihous conduct three cottages on the
Beach, near Arverne, which are known as
the Lihou cottages. Lihou and Deacon
Jamison, who is member of the coal and
wood firm of Jamison & Bond, had mis-
understanding about the payment OF q bill
for ton of coal. The controversy found its
way into the church. Pastor Fray sided
with the Lihous.
ACCUSED OF USING LIQUOR.
At meeting of the congregation held for
the purpose of acting on Mr.andMrs. Lihou's
application for membership in the church,
Deacon Charles Crabbe arose and accused
the Lihous OF having bought and used
liquor in their cottages. Evidence was
produced to show that beer wagon had
stopped in front of their cottages and that
several boxes of beer were taken in. Ad-
mittance into the church was re-
fused them by a tie vote. Mr.. Lihou
waited on Deacon Crabbe the follow
ing day and demanded retraction OF the
charges. He said the beer was used BY his
boarders, but that his own family never
used drop of liquor. At the prayer meet
ing on the following week Deacon Crabbe
apologised for what he had said against Mr..
Lihou. Notwithstanding the apology Mr..
Lihou and his wife each brought suit for
S., 900 against him for defamation of char.
aeter.
SUED FOR DEFAMATION.
The suits are still pending. Last sumy
mer the Rev. Mr.. Fray allowed Evangelist
Echeverria to occupy his pulpit. His SER
mon did not suit the congregation, and they
so informed their pastor. Then the Rev.
Mr.. Fray and B. w. Downing invited the
evangelist to the Beach To do mission work.
This incensed the hotel men against the
church and they threatened to with
draw their subscriptions. The pastor
refused to recede from his position,
and this had the effect of widening the
breach between him and Deacon Jamison.
1t was only a question OF short time
when the opposing faction would succeed In
forcing the pastor out of the church. There
fore, about two weeks ago he accepted q call
from a Congregational church in Richmond
Hill, and announced to his church that he
would preach his farewell sermon last Sum
day evening.
HIS REASONS FOR LEAVING.
AT the conclusion of his sermon he said:
"My friends in the church have advised me
to give nv reasons for leaving this place,
and in Justice to myself will do so." He
then told about woman in the church who
objected to his having a vacation last
summer, although he said he was entitled
to it under his contract. This same woman,
he said, intlmated that he was receiving too
much pay. 'The truth is, he continued,
''the church was owing me two months
salary, and / had to go away and earn
money to keep my family from starving"
At this juucIure there was a commotion in
Deacon Jamison's pew.
CALLED HIM A LIAR.
Mrs. Jamison was seen to rise, and it is
said her husband tried to restrain her.
Looking directly at tine pastor, she Is said to
have exclaimed: you are liar" 1t is
said that applause followed. As she took
her seat she is said to have continued: "You
have preached nothing but lies since you
have been here.
Mr.. Fray apparently paid no attention to
what was said, but, continuing his remarks,
he referred to the difference between Deacon
Jamison and himself concerning the mis-
sion work OF Evangelist Eeheverria, and
said that the language Deacon Jamison used
to him in relation to the matter was so in
decent that he could not repeat 1t.
TITS lie," "Thats not so, That's
false" and similar remarks came from d.
ferent parts of the church. The pastor con-
cluded his remarks by referring to Deacon
Jamison's management of the Sunday
school, which he said was demoralized. He
said that since he had succeeded the deacon
as superintendent the school was materially
improved and had an increased membership.