Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-08-30

spSetaI Tsls,7raa 70 tAs Register
ANDERsG : IN Auglst 2s.-Rev.
John II Rif't,a-5 who W transferred
from the Vast Virginia .OnIe ,, Sl ~ ~
Church, 70 Indiana Conf enee' since ms
brief stay inItbfs city Jas been unusu-
ally success VI even for himself, 10
raising Cain l. the Cd rch over which
he presides. Ills care as a GnoiT -1I-.
er and churA h DEF oyor mas Oeeu q
most remarkably on3
There is muslGc i9he church anu 10
the air for this p,rebher' when IS hot
pleasing to him. Rev. Blchioru
ia wholly responsible FOR the trouble
a trouble, which, like an a lgnus
fatus. seems constantly 70 Iol-
low in his foOtstsps-and as
result the sentiment Of his nock ana OF
those outside il is against him. Kew
Bickford, after his suspension, from
West Virginia, an account or the cause
OF which appears below, posed as per
secuted man before the conference al
Wheeling, aud after his removal be tried
IN vain 90 get another call" de wrote
70 Dartles In New Jersey, but New Jer-
sew didn't want him. He then tried Tor
air months 20 secure pastOrate In Los
Angeles. Oakland, Kansas City and other
Dlaces. but they wou,dn't have him; but
finally. by some means, he was foisted
unon Anderson, where be now Is,
much 20 the sorrow OF both church
and peoule. He had scarcely
warmed his seat 10 the pulpit
here before be began TO dabble with the
music, and his dab0ing was like the
tamperiug OF a yellow Jackets nest.
The reverend gentleman, for no ap-
parent reason, exhibited an iil Will
toward Prof. SymOns, who had been
EMPLOYED by a committee OF Official ev-
merits who went TO Brooklyn, n. y,
and selected him as the best man IL was
possible 10 get. The Professor and his
friends failed 10 understand the
preachers action. The preacher went
80 far as 10 import another organist,
said to come from Australia, and was
doing his best 10 remove Symons when
the whole matter became public prop
erty, but the imported Organist has left
the city, and the big pipe organ Is still
IN charge OF Prot SymOnS. AT Sunday
morning service there was an unusually
attracted by a rumor that
TROUBLE WAS ANTICIPATED.
In this they were not disappointed,
for one Of the most sensational scenes
occurred. The minister appeared at
the usual time, but Prof. SymOns was a
little late In arriving, and many began 20
think that the pipe organ would get
rest, when the Professor put in an ap-
Bearance Just in time to perform his
part. The clash expected, however, did
not occur Just then, but instead Rev.
Blckiord insulted, not the Professor
alone,
BUT THE WHOLE CHOIR.
After the Scriptural reading, the
preacher announced the hymn with iu-
structions that the second Of the five
stanzas be omitted. The choir failed
90 get the announcement rlghtand sang
the first four stanzaS and sat down.
When the expOunder Of the living Cos
pei observed that his orders had not
been obeyed he began 70 warm up, and
when the choir stopped at the end OF
the 4th stanza he quickly rose 70 his
feet and turned TO the choir, his face
flashed and eyes sparkling with rage.
10 loud and fierce tones, he said: The
choir will sing the 5th verse and the
congregation will stand upw The fierce
ness Of the expression and the madden
ed look was a shock 60 everybody. Sew
eral members took the command as a
direct insult and refused TO sing. The
wife Of Prof. SymOns, a leading member
OF the choir and a favorite In the church,
was unable TO stand the shock. Feeling
weak and faint she arose and started
Tor the north end Of the choir rostrum
when
SHE FELL N A FAINT,
and was severely bruised by the fall.
Professor SymOns and other members
OF the choir went 10 her assistance,
and DR.. Davis was called, who after
working with the sick woman for some
time, restored her TO consciousness,
when she was taken 70 her home, on
Central avenue.
The unfortunate occurrence caused
cOnsidera bic confusion throughout the
congregation, and peace was not re-
stored entirely during the service.
RN. BlckfOrd prayed a long time and
preached more than half an hour; but
never once touched upon the thought
that occupied the attention OF his audi
ence. The church people and many
others are talking about Rev. BicSiord
and say that be has gone TOO far, and IL
IS more than probable that II one has TO
surrender Bedford will be that one.
Rev. Bedford refuses TO be interviewed
by newspaper men and reporters and
expresses conteupt for them. To a
Bulletin reporter, In reply to an inter
rogation, he said in an ungentlemanly
manner: "Ii there is any trouble in my
church, you fellows know more about
it than 1 do" Monday, when approach
ed, he haUghtily replied: IF have any
business with you, sir, l will make It
known"
Before coming here Bickiord was at
Rushyille a short time after leaving De-
Paw University. From Rushville he
went 10 Parkersburg, w. Va, and from
there 20 GAlssburg, Indiaha.
His Parkersourg history was replete
with sensational scenes, which nearly
ruined bis church and drove the preach
or out OF that conference. When he
was transferred from Nashville TO Park
ersburg DO took the place OF the popu-
lar Rev. George Z. Hite, d. d. On his
first SUNDAY be grossly and openly In
suited Mr. Herbert Cotton, leading
church member and choir leader. Cot
tor. who Is a leading merchant and
SOC ~ Rev. Cotlon, the Agent OF the
Bib;e Society. Is a young fellow. When
Rlck'ord had taken look at the choir,
bs aid 20 So old and prominent member
loud enough 70 be heard over the house,
"What are you doing with that fellow
nm thsre9 he can't sing. On