Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-19
CHURCHMEN AT WAR.
Rev. Mr.. Graham's Sympathizers Are
Refused a Place of Worship.
THEIR PETITION TURNED DOWN.
Seceders Will Not Establish Q Church at
Jacks Fun.
THE MINISTER DEFENDS HIS PEOPLE

Inc ADJOURNED meeting OF the Allegheny
Presb ytery of the U. P. Church was held in
the Fifth q. P. Church. Allegheny, last
night The important business before the
meeting was whether the Presbytery should
grant an organization to the members OF the
West Bellevue Church who seeded when
Rev. Mr. Graham stepped down.
A controversy arose in the West Bellevue
Church over the Rev. Mr.. Graham, who, after
II years service, it was alleged by few
members that he did not suit, and after q
lengthy controversy he resigned. His ad-
herents. however, were not satisfied. Many
of them also withdrew from the church.
After struggling along for some time mis-
sion was established at Jacks Run and an
application was made for an organization,
which was referred to a commission, which,
after thorough investigation, presented q
recommendation that the organic alton be
not granted.
After the reading of the report last night
there seemed to be . general hesitancy to
act on the matter. The Moderator an
nonnced several times that the question was
before the house for discussion. Finally
someone moved that the petition be not
granted.
Mr. Smith to the Front.
After long silence Mr.. Smith, member
OF the commission, arose. He said: eve
visited the place and we do not see why
an organization should be granted. We
found that the people there are given too
much to electioneering and are too much
like politicians and not enough like
Christians. There is entirely too much
pickering. The members who signed that
petition promise to be liberal and
build up church, but on referring
to their records in the old organization. I
think thatthey will be unable to fulfil
their promises judging by what they have
done in the past I do not think that the
breach can ever be healed, as there is en-
tirely too much bitterness displayed, not
only by members, but by the scandal
mongers of the town, who seemed to take
delight in stirring up all the friction pos
sible. I do not think that the promises
made to the provisional session can be
kept"
Several other members of the commission
spoke in the same strain, when it was sug-
gested that probably the other side had
something to say. Samuel Arthur took
exception to the statements of the commits
sion. He said: ''The trouble is that we
sympathized with our pastor. Neither side
the other. The church was not run for the
glory of God, but tor the benefit of indi-
viduals
Pointed Charge.
II have known of a case where one person
did not want preaching at night and his
wishes were carried out because he seemed
10 ho Tn I'd 10
ciliation there has never been any attempt
made whatever towards it and I can say
that if there had been we would not have
held back. / concur with Mr.. Smith that
there is entirely too much of the election
eering and politician about the church to
suit me. AS I said before we sympathized
with our pastor."
At this point a member raised point of
order that the gentleman was not talking on
the question. The Chair sustained the point
of order.
Mr. Arthur said he was merely replying
to remarks made by the former speakers
Another member jumped up. He said he
thought the time for the point was when
the first speaker had the floor. Quite a
discussion arose as to who had the floor,
which finally subsided without word from
the Moderator.
Rev. Graham then arose and asked per-
mission to speak on the question. He said:
''Gentlemen, for II years I labored hard
and earnestly in Bellevue, and God knows
I did the best could, I may have made
mistakes. don't say did not. The Pc
tition before you tonight have had moth
ing to do with, and did not intend to say
but 1 cannot refrain from calling
your attention to the distance of the pro-
posed location from the nearest churches
It is 200 feet from the old church, or
nearly two miles; 1000 feet from the Sixth
Church, and 5000 feet from the Fifth
Church.
The Claims Made.
'The claim is made that if the new
church is established it will hurt the others,
but claim they will be stronger than ever.
Look at the Belleville Church now. AL
though labored tor II years with them, in
all that time never saw them working
more in unison than at present. think
the petition is an honest one and should be
granted"
The Secretary then announced that ac-
cording to the motion if lost no record
would be made. He wanted to know what
would become of the question. G. B.
j ohnson then moved that the word mot"
be dropped from the motion, which was de-
feated. He then said he did not see why
the Assembly should make fish of one and
flesh of another. mot long ago" said the
speaker, "a very similar petition came
up before the Assembly and it was granted.
Now the weaker side does not have a cham
pion, else the minds of the Presbytery are
already made up not to grant the petition.
1 don't think it is exactly right"
Several other members made brief re-
marks, after which it WAS decided not to
grant the petition. and an additional
church will not be organized at Jacks Run.