The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-05
REV. GRIFFIN CLUBBED.
THE FIRST BRYAN BAPTIST sCHISM
BREAKS OUT AFRESH.

Beaten over the Head With c m
munion Pitc er A Crowd of Sisters
Led the Assault-Au Sorts of Weap-
ons Drawn and Several People In
iured in the Melee-The Police Quen
the Row.
The col red Baptists had another church
row yesterday morning. This time it was
at the First Bryan church. near the western
end Of BRYAN street, in the heart Of Yama-
craw.
Trouble has been brewing for some time
In the First Bryan, the subject OF conten-
ton being, as usual, the pastor, who is up
held hy one faction and opposed by another.
The fires have been smolderi for some
months. Several cards were published by
the opposing factions in the MORNING NEWS
last month. giving the public the history Of
the trouble.
On the second Sunday in December. at
stormy meeting, Rev. g. Griffin, who has
been acting in the capacity Of pastor since
Rev. U. L. HUuston's death some months
ago. and who was assistant pastor
for considerable length Of
time previous to his dea,h. was
elected pastor Il the church. q. ittin was
very bitterly opposed by large humber Of
the memb RS who contended that he had
impos d himself upon the church and that
his election was unfair. Griffin evidently
had the majority on his side, though.
AWAITED THE INSTALLATION.
The first Sunday in January was set for
the installation Of the new pastor Rev. w.
j. White, a ", Unknown lOI ed minister OF
Augusta and editor Of the Georgia Baptist,
ives called upon 20 preach the installation
sermon.
A very large crowd gathered at the
church yesterday morning to witness the
ceremony, many probably going III
anticipation Of trouble. Shortly after
IL O'Clock Revs. Griffin and White
drove up to the church In a
carriage drawn by a handsome pair OF
grays. The preachers slighted and entered
the church Rev. Griffin had hardly gotten
past the entrance when a party OF sisters
who had ken their posi- ion at the back OF
the church made for him, some of them
having pieces of boards sticks, scissors
and other weapons they had brought
with them. A hunter of brethren Joined
the sisters in their a. tack. The pastor s
friends Immediately rallied to his support,
and as one Of the hreturen said afterward,
''den de ruction begin" There was lively
screams from the women, who took the
most prominent part In the affair, and
shouts from the inen.
CLUBBED WITH A COMMUNION PITCHER
The pas or's fine beaver was demolished
and he received q number Of hard blows
and scrat, hes. One sister got hold OF the
silver communion pitcher and banged the
pastor over the head with it. Peggy Grant
managed to get hold of the pitcher and
struck Josephine Ryals, tail mullato wo-
man, over the head with il, making bad
cut. Licks and blows were freely passed.
Most of t men rallied 10 the pas -or's sup
port and stood between him and his angry
assailants. Being largely in the majority
they on ended The matter by hus ling the
disturbing element out of the church.
When tue row began the police were
called for, ard Officers Davis, Speight and
Smith came 10 the scene. Sergt. Reilly AID
Officer 81 Basch came from their houses in
citizens c.ottes. The appearance of the
police had a very quoting effect. Several
arrests were made, and the distulbers kept
low.
CROWDS AROUND THE CHURCH.
A MORNING NEWS reporter who went to
the scene found Bryan street from West
Broad ~ West Boundary lined with people,
mostly .colored, who bad come out of the
church or had been attracted by the row.
A large number Of white men we're gathered
at the corner Of West Broad and Bryan.
The police had the crowd under good con-
troll, but there was considerable mutter-
ing of threats by the malcontsnts.
The church was found to lie about three-
fourths full of people. There were a lot OF
women in the back part who seemed very
much excited and very anxious for dis
turbance.
They were making frequent EXPLANATIONS
and seemed to be endeav oring to excite the
opposition.
anything that was said. Oats de
wrong man up dare" One black sister ex-
claimed 'De whole church gwine tc
pieces in two months. l sell de whole ting
for a drink % whisky Many of the
women were Of the lowest class.
Sergt. Kill ourhy arrived at the church
about 12 O'clock, or shortly after. and took
caarge Of things. He dispersed the crowd
in front of the church and cleared tht
stress himself. The sergeant looked bigger
than ever in a brand new uniform
and when the crowds beheld him NOV
ing down on them they moved instanter.
REV. WHITES SERMON.
After order was restored by the police
Rev. White of Augusta, who had come
down to install the pastor, preached Q
lengthy sermon on the love OF God. The
sermon was frequently interrupted by loud
CALCULATIONS of "Amen" and "Yes, Lord,
from the congregation, who seemed TO be
y
marks. Several of the antics however
gave vent to their feelings by occasional
murmuis of dissatisfaction.
When Rev. WhiteSconcluded his sermon
he called on the congregation to join in
prayer. The prayer was plea TO the AL
mighty to heal the differences of the flock
During its recital several Of the deacons
found use for their handkerchiefs In iLine
away tears. which appeared to spring VI
spontaneously on reference to the troubles
of the congregation.
After prayer Rev. White stepped dowr
from the pulpit and took a seat di ectly il
front of Rev. Griffin, and the choir rem
dered hymn.
CHARGE TO THE FLOCK.
Rev. White arose, and said that be wanted
TO give a few words of advice to both Cd,
congregation and the pastor. He told tn,
congregation that be did not think it strange
for them to have trouble about the pastor
as it was the first time that they had beer
called upon in a long number of years, in
feet, about the first time that they had
ever been called upon to perform
such a du.y, as, he believed
that there we're none present WIZ
had assisted in the call Of Rev. IT. L
Houston. 'And while you all loved that
old man." said the speaker. II believe if b,
were once more IN the FISH and were calico
to this pastordte, many would fad fault.
A DETERMINED CONGREGATION.
Rev. White then told them that Rev