The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-06-15
HELD FOR GRAND JURY.

Rev. Mr.. Elliott and Deacon HsaTn, Of
Macedonia Church, Held for Disturbing
PabIIo Worship The Audience EX-
tsudsd into the street.
When Greek meets Greek then comes
the tug OF war. This seems to be very
true OF the opposing factions in the
Macedonia Baptist church. The color
ed brethren on either side have taken
up the cudgels in earnest, and fight to
the finish is necessary to settle the dis
pute; for judging by last night, when
the trouble was again aired In Justice
shop. the spirit OF peace and good will
Is very much In the abstract
1t was expected that the question of
which pastor, Rev. Elliott or Rev.
johnson. would be retained by the
church would llnger in the balance
until the meeting OF the Allegheny AS
ISOLATION OF Colored Bap;ists, should
assemble here to hear the pros and cons
but such fond dream was badly shat
tered. The brethren are arrayed on
opposing sides. neither willing to give
an inch. and so keen has been the feel
ing aroused that Rev. Elliott and
Deacon John Hearn, were defendants
last night. 10 q charge OF disturbing
the worship at the church Sunday
morning. and after an exciting hearing
before Squire Dunaing, were compelled
10 furnish bond for their appearance
before the grand jury.
While the services on sunday were
free from disorder in the sense expect
ed, Deacon Hearn caused slight COM
motion by forbidding Rev. johnson
from occupying the pulpit, To this de-
mand Mr.. johnson returned 4 straight
denial. and continued TO preach 10 the
satisfaction OF about all present. Rev.
Mr.. Elliott's offense consisted IN sitting
throughout the services with his hat on,
and despite the many angry frowns
thrust at him. he sat with covered
head. immovable as the proverbial
Sphynx.
bidding Mr.. johnson from preaching.
and Mr.. Elliott for keeping his hat on
IN church. resulted in their arrest yes
terday morning by Constable "Os'
GRAY. Nir. Elliott refused to come I'M
less "Os" read the warrant for his ar
rest. but the stalwart arm OF the law
did no reading, and Just marched MIN
on.
SQUIRE Dunnlng's office, and II at
tracted nearly all the colored populn-
lion OF the Second ward. Only part OF
me crowd could get inside the court
room. and the street was blockaded,
until Squire Cumming announced his
decision. holding the preacher and the
deacon FOR che grand Jury. Mr.. John o.
P,nIlstan conducted the prosecution.
and Messrs ]. ]. Coniff and J. B. VIII
son looked after the interests OF the de-
PENDANTS.
Macedonia church IS small frame
structure, on the hillside near Charles
street Second ward. X has seen FOUR
vqsrs liyencd by occasional dissensions,
10 most serious being nearly two years
oro when q secession OF several mcm-
hers resulted In the formation Of an
otjlrr branch Of the colsrel Blpusts.
nny. known as the Ebcnezcr church and
nrosrerlng IN every respect The men,
bsrship 81 the present congregation Is
about two score At the most, and those
Yayorlng Rev. Mr.. johnson for pastor
ara decidedly In the majority. Rev.
Nc Elliott has but handful Of follow
ers. hut they are true blue, his most
earnos, champion being Deacon Hcarn,
who held the keys ot the church until
few days ago. when the johnson forces
changed the locks. and are now IN pos-
session. There are two sides TO the dis
pute. like any dispute, and both are
somewhat at vnrihucc.
Rev Mr.. Elliot, claims he Is stlli the
n1stor. that he never resigned, but
merely went on a vacation Tor several
webs. uui;ing Rev Mr Johnson,
r,f,,h Younger man. IN his stead until
hi. fsrurr He says the congregation
n,e him y30l S. on the other hand Il
IL all that Nlr Elliott went to Pitts
burEh TO another charuc. aud created a
"fnss" In his new congregation. Gliding