New-York tribune., 1894-03-26


from his place as pastor the Rev. c. V. Patter-
son and declared the church closed On Satur-
day the four trustees, representing the faction
opposed To thc pastor. took possession Of the
church and had all the locks changed and the
gates and windows newly padlocked. The fac
ton felt themselves to be master Of the situation
and announced that no services would take place
until further notice.
But these trustees little appreciated the temper
Of their once beloved pastor. and reckoned with
out their host When the Rev. Mr.. Patter-
son went II bed on Saturday night he and his
four ,rusi.ss had fully deciied that services
would be held in the Central Park Baptist
Church or they would know the why.
Early Yesterday morning the four trustees who
side with Mr. Patterson. l.. s. Smith. c. w.
Delhi A. A. Hall and \. f. Lee. gathered at
the pastors home. No. 100 East Eighty-thrd-st.
In tho mean time, owing 10 the publicity given
10 the matter. the ncighborhood OF the church
was crowded with people interested In the con-
tes: or those who came ont OF mere curiosity.
The pavcnents were lined with people and each
window and doorway OF surrounding houses and
fats had Its group OF spectators. Excitement
was expected. and II add TO the busness-like
aspect OF the affair Roundsman Stevenson and
four policemen we're on guard in front Of the
church The policemen were Smith. Shields.
shannon and Christ. all Of the East Eighty
eghth-st. station.
THE ATTACK BEGUN
Shortly after o'clock Mr.. Patterson and his
four trustees and +. w Ribbccke. stalwart
deacon appeared upon tho scene. A look Of
stern determination was upon the face Of each.
and the reporters and police instinctlvey drew
back to await developments. Mr.. Patterson
shook hands with all in Shaking distance. and
then short consultation took place. and after
much nodding Of heads and violent gestIcula-
tons movement made upon the gate in
the bgh iron fence that surrounds the sacred
edlice.
A small boy was sent away by Mr.. Patterson.
end presently he returned carrying a file. The
ministerial party the children who were await
ing the opening OF Sunday-school and number
Of women then gathered around the gate and
attempted to conceal from the police and report
ers what was being done. No attention was paid
TO the falling rain and Easter hnery suffered.
In n moment the gates were seen 10 give way.
and with a cheer OF triumph the crowd rushed
in the yard and upon the outer doors OF the
church.
The paddock on these was quickly filed apart
as that Of the gate had been. and then the crowd
confronted with the inner doors. which re-
sisted all efforts to make entrance.
a large portion OF the congregation who were
opposed to Mr. Patterson. and who were stand
ing on the opposite side Of the street. began to
laugh with satisfaction. and the cheers Of those
making the onslaught weie fast turning to cries
OF chagrIn when the Rev Mr. Patterson, who Is
fertile in resources. was struck with an Idea.
BREAKING INTO TIE BUILDING
In pursuance OF this idea Deacon Ribbecke and
Trustee Delhi leaped the fence. and made their
way to the side Of the church to window
Suitable tools myst ,riously appeared and Deacon
Ribbecke who proved to be an artist In his line.
quickly pried open the shutters and. then break
ing a pane Of glass made an entrance into the
edifce.
The crowd was evidently disappointed that no
one was within the church to dispute the forcible
entrance Of the besiegers and groan went up.
Deacon Ribbecke and Trustee Delhi quickly un-
bolted the inner doors. and the crowd, headed by
the pastor swarmed In. Few more curious sights
have been witnessed in this city on an Easter
morning and the patromen had to rub their eyes
vigorously before they could realize that they
were not taking part In a Tammany district
meeting instead OF an Easter morning service OF
the Central Park Baptist Church. But Rounds
man Stevenson had been present at several OF the
business meetings Of the congregation and was
more used 10 their methods than the patrolmen.
ChIsels, files and hammers were laid aside and
Mr.. Patterson, acting as superintendent, con-
Quoted the Sunday-school exercises. Fires were
started In the stoves and preparations were made
as II for n siege. Mr.. Patterson announced as
the opening hymn Praise the LORD ior Ghild,
hoods Days" which was sung with Will and
a ring Of defiance. The service was brief. BY
this time the members OF the opposition, who
had witnessed the triumphai entrance OK the
pastor had retired from the scene. and were
deciding a plan OF action. In which
warrants Of arrest took the place OF bolts, pad
locks and resolutions OF dismissal.
HOLDING THE RDGULAR SERVICE.
At 1o:3o o'clock the church was one-thrd FULL
.bou, 40 persons being present. OF these about