New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-03
SANG PASTOR INTO SILENCE.
ANNIVERSARIES PREVENT HIS PREACH

w l.
ING IN MOUNT OLIvET BAPTIST CHURCH
When the Rev. D. W. wisher. of Mount olivet
Baptist Church (coored). stepped forward and
began his sermon last night. good. clear soprano
voice at the front of the church began the hymn
Walk in the Light
1t was a compacent soprano, and II continued
till Joined by other sopranos and gearing tenors
and rumbng bases. Mr. Wisher had expected
the soprano to divide attention with him. and had
provided against it-as he thought. He had six
policemen present in uniform under Roundsman
Brown. Of the West Forty-seyenth-st. station as
well as two detectives in plain clothes
The pastor was in the church by reason of broken
locks The trustees, at meeting held last Mon
day night. adopted resolution closing the church
as the result OF the long fight which they have
waged against Mr. Wisher ever since last fall
The trustees had locked the church. some OF the
Wishortes had broken the lock, and the pastor had
appeared to preach in the morning and had been
sung down by the complacent soprano and its ac-
complies. the BASES and tenors OF the amen
corner"
So the interruption OF iast nights services was
expected, and on the way from his house to the
church Mr.. Wisher told the two detectives OF the
expected trouble. and they had said to him: Very
well; If any one makes disturbance. point him
out. and we will do the rest"
The pastor stopped preaching and spread his
hands and bent the desk making gestures for
silence. But there silence-there was song.
ana the title OF II was Walk In the Light"
Then the pastor walked the edge OF the plat
form and motioned TO the policemen who in
the back Of the church. They came forward with a
rush. with Roundsman Brown at their head.
Roundsman Brown stood the platform steps
with nightstck in his hand and a determined look
his face.
This has got to stop" he said. ANY who
interrupts the services will be put out"
The singing did stop and in its place arose
screams and groans. The congregation rent
into two hostile camps. and the factions faced each
other with the police between. Many shouted and
some danced. Mr.. Wisher smiled blandly, Rounds
man Brown shook his nlghtstick and the rival par
ties shook their fists at each other.
Deacon Johnson rushed up TO the roundsman and
shouted:
THAT man hasn't any business here. The trus-
tees have the power and they have put him out. II
is not his church. il is the peoples church.
Now you sit down or you VIII be arrested, saiu
the roundsman
There was a great confusion Of tongues and a
rushing and pushing that lasted many minutes.
Then the police all shouted sit down. and the
pastor and Deacon Holloway were seen standing
side by side on the platform, having arrived at a
whispered truce.
Deacon Holloway held up his hands commanding
silence. and gradually il arrived.
few minutes Of quiet The pastor is not going to
preach. We won't let him preach.
The choir then sang Jesus Is Rock in Weary
Land" and followed it with "All Hail the Power
OF Jesus Name"
The people fingered around in the church after
the Benedicton till Deacon Holloway turned the
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