, 1891-05-07

N. l, May b.-lTOuDle
has been brewing for some time in the
Baptist church at Madalina, Duchess
county. Eight months ago when the
church was without a pastor, the trustees
engaged the Rev. j. H. Bovse, promising
him that he could hold the position for
one year. During the past month certain
OF the trustees wished a change. and Mr..
BOyse received notice that his resignation
was desired. The reasons were merely Of
a whimsical nature. and not sufficient to
eveu hearken to. He refused to consider
the matter, and went right along with his
religious duties. But the trustees became
persistent, and said they would bring the
matter before the courts. The pastor
made no objection, believing that his posi-
ton would be sustained by such a move.
So it was done, aud Saturday of this week
was the day set for the trial.
Notwithstanding the fact hat the law
had been appealed to, the energetic trus-
tees desired to proceed in their own way,
and so Rev. Mr.. Wood, a former pastor
OF the church, was engaged to ill the pull
pit on last Sunday. This move, it was
said, was made without Mr.. Boyse's
knowledge. Therefore. on Sunday morn
ing when he appeared he found the pulpit
occupied. Mr.. Boyse is a man OF very
determined character and the congrega-
ton were surprised to see him take a seat
in a pew among the auditors. But when
they attended services that evening Mr..
Boyse was seated hehiud the pulpit.
Word was passed around the congrega-
ton, and those present were asked to dis
regard the pastors requests, as he had
usurped the place. When the bell stopped
tolling, Mr.. Boyse rose and rave out
hymn No. 81. Then he read, with a
steady voice, two stanzas, and stopped.
The choir, however, didn't sing. Moth
ing daunted, the clergyman lifted his
voice and SANG the hymn alone, the con
gregation remaining silent.
The hymn finished. the pastor took up
the bible and commenced to read there
from, but he had hardly finished a verse
when one OF the trustees, Robert Worth
ington, ran up the aisle, mounted the
steps and snatched the book from the
reader hands. Not content with that,
he seized the Rev. Mr.. Boyse, hit him
over the head with the bible and dragged
him from the pulpit by the hair. The
other trustees ran to their couirere's as
~sistance, aud Officer Force. who was pres
ent, was asked to arrest the usurper, but
he refused.
By this time the church was in an up
roar. Several women tainted and the
children we're screaming. The moment
the trustees released the clergyman he re-
assembled the pulpit and, remarking that
the services had better come to an end,
began to pronounce the benediction. Only
three words. however, of the sacred
prayer left his hps, for Trustee Worth
ington again jumped upon the platform
and again dragged the pastor down. This
time Fred Ross, Charles Moore and
Officer Minkle seized WorthiuRtOn aud
prevented any more hostile demonstra
tons.
The Rev. Mr.. Boyse lett the church
followed by nearly the whole congrega-
ton, whose sympathies had become en-
listed in his favor. During the disgrace
full proceedings Mr.. Boyse did not offer
the slightest resistance, but submitted to
the indignities without complaint. 1t is
not believed that Mr.. Boyse will cause
MI. WorthinPton's arrest, and it is equally
certain that the popular voice is now with
him, he having won every ones repect by
his action. 1t is said that the action of
the trustees in trying to get rid of the
Rev. Mr.. BoYse was due to the influence
of a Mr.. PeGo, who wished to get rid of
the pastor in order that his sOn-in-Iaw, the
Rev. Mr.. Morris, might be recalled to the
church as pastor, from which he resigned
q far nnNnHha ~