New-York tribune., 1897-08-02
RIOT IN 4 CAMDEN CHURCH.
THE PASTORS CHARGES AGAINST THE SEC-
RETARY AND TREASURER AROUSE
STORM AND ALMOST LEAD TO BLOWS.

KEIAR1 AND TREASURER AhOtob -
STORM AND ALMOST LEAD TO BLOWS.
Camden. n. J.. Aug. 1 (SpeciaD.-The services
in the Memorial Methodist Protestant Church IN
South Camden, this morning, were stopped by
riot which at one time threatened to assume
such proportions as TO bring about bloodsheu'
Temporary peace was patched up. however, put
there is likely to be a great deal of further
trouble.
Some weeks ago the pastor of the church
claimed to have discovered some loose business
methods in the conduct Of his church. lie pre-
cipitated the matter by declaring to one or TWO
members that the treasurer, Mrs William Mor-
gan. short in her accounts, and that the
secretary Of the Board of Trustees, John wat
son. had failed to make proper accounting loi
some 5000 which went into his hands On
Thursday last the Rev. Mr. Petit went to
Mrs Morgans house and demanded her
books She gave them up. and became
so excited over the encounter that she mas
since been confined to the house with ner-
vous prostration The pastor also visited Sec
retary Watson and demanded his books but
that official 'clned to produce them. declaring
that there was nothing wrong with his accounts
and he would show his books at the proper time
when the official board met. The pastor called
night and all the officers attended except Mrs.
Morgan. Her husband. one Of the trustees was
there, however, and there was a violent Storm
The pastor and some Of the officials became so
excited that blows were imminent, and a men,
Der ran out for policeman, who restored order.
This story got out but Mr.. Petit declined posi-
lively to make any statement. saying that he
would do so before his people at this mornings s
service.
The church vaa uneomfortably full this morn
ing when the oervlces began. The usual pre-
liminarles were gone through amid apparent eX-
element. The pastor prayed little more fer
venty than usual and dwelt at length upon some
of the pointed hymns he gave out, all tending to
bring to notice the strained relations of shep-
herd and flock and recalling the duty Of Chris
tigns to love their enemies and do good to those
that hate them At last the pastor reached
the all-absorbing topic and the pent-up excite
ment showed Itself
Mr. Pettits discourse was based upon text
from the book of Matthew showing Chrsts
teachings as to how enemies should be treated.
After admonishing his congregation as to Their
duties he gradually led up to the troubles which
beset the church He reviewed his career as
pastor which began less than year ago, ana
ne brought to his hearers attention all the dii-
0culties he had encountered in his efforts To
match up the troubles and maintain harmony.
lie declared that he had discovered discrepan-
cles in the accounts Of two of the officers lie
told of the call for the meeting OF the Board %
Officers, but denied emphatcally that ne had
shaken his fist In anybodys face. lie hau
grown earnest Icy this time. and now his voice
rang through the church as he exclaimed;
whoever says shook my fist In any brothers
face tells downright le.
tha
Of the church, for Mr.. Pettit had some followers
as well as enemies there From other parts Oh tie i
congregation however, there were uhilIStahaple
signs OF disapproval. The pastor went on anu
told more about his discoveries OF wrongdolng'
and then launched forth into bitter denuncia-
ton of members Of his flock. He cried: There
are liars in this church. or those who hold bills
against it are liars Either this whole ccmmun.
ity is a set Of liars, or some of the members or
this church liars, and hold In my posses
sion enough evidence to send some OF them 10
State prison. The treasurer is short in her ac-
counts The secretary has failed to satlsfac-
tOrily account for moneys placed in his posses
sion and in some way the sum OF Sioo belong
ing to this church has stuck in solnebody
pocket | say this deiiantly and emphatically.
The storm came when Mr. Petit attempted to
continue. He said: Il am getting sick at
heart. He was interrupted by William Nor
gan, the husband of the treasurer who eX-
claimed: you will get scker before | get done
with you" Instantly the people were on their
feet. The pastor was loudly camoring Tor
order but the people were shouting themselves
hoarse Morgan attempted to speak. but in the
confusion his words could not be understood,
and George l.. Davenport, a trustee, and one of
the pastors adherents. cried "Sit down and
shut up
put him out. Put him OUT yelled half
dozen AT once amid confusion greater than
ever. you dare to lay a hand on me,
screamed Morgan. eyiHg his enemies defiantly.
Trustee Davenport started wildly toward Nor
gan's pew but was intercepted by William
Wright, who seized him bodily and pleaded with
him TO remember that he was Christian. This
exciting episode gave Mr.. Petit chance to
get a word in edgewise, and he sOothingly ad-
monished the excited brethren to remember that
il was the sabbath Day. and they Christians.
He started the hymn Nearer My Cod to Thee"
in which most Of the congregation joined. Then
the pastor dismissed the flock with a fervent
benedictior.