Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-18
STILL SEPARATED.
No Compromise Yet in the Hillsdale
Church Trouble.

Rev Dr. Jepifer, pastor Of Metropolitan
A. M. e. Church, Washington, who. as
stated In yesterdays Star. presided over
the mass meeting in the Hillsdale A. M. E.
Church Thursday night, was in the village
again yesterday afternoon.
DR.. Jenifer left with one Of the officers Of
the church a note addressed to the official
members, which, as there has been no
meeting of that body since the receipt of
the communication. has net been opened,
but which Is said to be a copy of a tele-
gram received yesterday by DR.. Jenifer
from Bishop Gaines, telling DR.. Jenifer to
inform the proper authorities of the church
that IF they find by Sunday next, 26th
instant. that they cannot get along with
the pastor-elect, Mr.. Governs. the bishop
will remove him and send the church an
bility of Bishop Gaines being in Hillsdale
Monday night, as was announced at the
meeting Thursday night was likely to be
the case.
Arrangements were made last night by a
large number of the members of the church
to hold the services heretofore held there
on Sunday at Douglass Hall tomorrow.
These services will comprise Sunday school
at $50 am. preaching at IL am. and 8
pm.
A few hours after Rev. Mr.. Gowens learn
ed that Judge Cole had decided that the
doors of the Hillsdale Church must be
u
divine services in the building he appear
ed at the residence of the sexton, Benja-
min Butler, in Hillsdale. and demanded
the keys of the church, which were given
to him Mr.. Gowens then proceeded to the
church. but found upon entering that some
one had preceded him and, 1t is alleged,
removed the pulpit Bible, the hymn books
used by the choir, a silver pitcher which
did service at the pulpit on meeting occa-
sions and, perhaps, one or two other arti-
cles. Mr.. Gowens first impulse was, he
said, to swear out a search warrant against
various parties whom he thinks are re-
tanning possession of the articles referred
to, but subsequently he determined, he
said, to make demand for them today.
Mr. Gowens claims that all the property
carried off belongs to the church, but the
other side declare that the goods involved
belong to individual members Of the
church, who were willing that their prop
erty should be thus disposed of.
MI. Gowens said to representative of
The Star that he was quite sure that TWEEN
ty-fve or thirty of the old members would
stick by him, and that gradually he will
attract new persons, who, it is likely. will
unite with the church. He expects to
preach twice tomorrow-in the morning
and again at night.
Speaking of his plans for the future. Mr..
Gowens said he would not be in hurry to
choose new officers for the church, as he
proposed to give those now in rebellion a
cfance to return to the fold. If, how
ever, they do not do this in a reasonable
time ne VIII declare the abandoned offices
vacant and have them filled with other
men. In reference to the debt hanging
over the church. Mr.. Goweus said he had
no fears but that he could manage to pay
the interest, which will accrue on June 2S,
1875. as well as to meet other liabilities
as they become due. Those who are OPP
posed to Mr.. Gowens say that the latter
Will not be able to get more than six or
seven members at the utmost of those who
have heretofore belonged to the church to
stand by him in the present trouble.