The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-21
sPLIy IN THE CHURCH.
CoIored Mcthodisls Have a New aud
An Old st. Philips.

l.
The schism in ST. Phillips A. NJ. f.
rr,rcb shows no sign of an early restora-
iion to peace and good fellowship. On the
contrary. the breach appears to be widen
mig. and even now the church is on the
eve of some important step. What this
will be is not known just at present, but
surnises are not lacking, and some speak
nj the probability of st. Phillips church
Withdrawing from the A. NJ E., and cast
sng its lot with some other church. There
are now two bodies that claim to be the
true congregation of the church. One has
the sanction of the bishop of Georgia, Rev.
H. N. Turner, while the other is backed in
is position by the council of bishops in
ste A. N. E. church, and where it will
end nobody seems to know.
The feeling between the two congrega-
tious is rather warm, and fuei is being
constantly added. One of the bodies of
church members meets for worship at the
church on West Broad street, that was
formerly the property of Marvin congrega-
zion While the others place of worship
seems to be in question. Both congrega-
tons want the same name st. Phillips,
and that is another point upon which they
splt. Rev L. H. Smith is the pastor of
the congregation that worships at
West Broad and Charles street, While
Rev. A. M Whitman ministers to the spir-
imal needs of those who adhere to the
traditions of the church and claim the de-
molished building on New street as their
temple of devotions,
A.,
eregations had it's first chapter written
by the storm of Sept 90. All the MEM
bers of the church under Rev. Smiths
guidance, worshipped up to the time of
the visitation of the big wind in brotherly
love at the New street church. The size
of this church is historic, as it was the
first owned by the A NJ. f. church. At
the church that stands upon this site,
Bishops Turuer and Salter used to preach
TO their congregations. In times past it
has been one of the most flourishing of the
colored churches of the city. But the storm
did rOt respect either traditions or church
" grandeur but laid low the spire that
s'Irmounted St Phillips and did other dam
age to the house. Repairs on the building
became necessary if it was to be occupied
any longer but upon this there seemed to
he one sentiment, that the congregation
should move to another quarter of the
bought, and Rev. Smith began to deliver
his Sunday sermons and to hold weekly
services at this new meeting place. Pres
emily band of dissenters arose, and now
they number some fifty or more of the
church's membership What these dis
seners want is to worship at the old
church; what the majority of the congre-
cation wants is for them to stop trying
TO get the name of ST. Phillips, to stop
trying to get the old church as a place
Of worship, and to come back to the fold.
Just at the time the move from the old
20 Marvin church was contemplated Bish-
op Turner wrote to the trustees for them
to exercise their own discretion, in either
repairing the old church or purchasing
Marvin. They did so and purchased Mar
4 YIN, and later the bishop objected He
sent down Rev Crittenden to take charge
OF what he called St Phillips church, on
New street Rev. Crittenden came, but
dld not stay long, as he did
not meet with encouragement. Then
Ihe bishop sent Rev. Harris down to take
charge but Judge A. H. MacDonell, act
ING Ior the board of trustees of St Phil
up church. who worship at the former
1arFih church, and hold the titles to the
New street property, secured an injunc-
uon against him and his congregation
using the church. This cut short Rev.
ha'Is connection with the church. Then
tAe bshop sent down two more preachers,
nut both were unsuccessful. He came
AlmseI to smooth things over with the
result That they were stirred up worse
.Hah before his visit. He announced from
lHe pulpit Of the West Broad street church
eAat the TWO congregations would be
hHoWn as st. Phillips New and st. Phil
"p O.d To this, est. Phillips New
saIa' not by a good deal" and they an
'ea'ed 10 the council Of bishops, that met
Ils June at Wherefore, o., to settle the
ol'ncu.ty. The bishops passed upon
Tae petition favorably to "St
'iIllp New church. An extract
iIom The letter of Bishop B. w. Arnett
secretary of the bishops council Of the A.
~ j.. church, reads as follows 1.-The
trustees ana congregation Of the new
gInuIch are entitled TO the name of St.
iHAIlp with all its records If the mi
noI'y OF the old members remains at the
pa ehurch, they will have to choose a new
name winch name viii have to be reported
az lhe annual conference 20 be adopted
VI rejected" This fully sustained the
II name. W 'iiS
Judge MacDonell says that throughout
We Hsnt the law, both of the church and
W country, has been with the West
aoa4 street church, and that Rev. Smith
ueen ureless in his efforts in behalf
VI MS congregation