The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-20
FIGHT In A ZION CHURCH.
DKPOSED PASTOR AND A TRUSTEE
CLINCH BEFORE THE PULPIT.

When tho Church Ohicer Knocked tho
Parson Down, the Latter's Wife, Grab
bling Chair, Threatened to XIII Him.
The Rev. William II. Green. the deposed pas
tor OF the Zion A. NJ j.. Church In Lafayette
street. Jersey City. acting under advice of
counsel and with the moral and physi cal sup
port OF his wife and several OF his former
practitioners. made an effort on Wednesday
night to regain possession OF his pulpit. Tho
result was IA row which almost attained the
proportions OF q riot. 1t was the regular
prayer-mecting night. and the Rev. Mr.. Ed
wards OF Brooklyn had accepted an invitation
OF the ant-Green trustees to conduct it. Mr..
Edwards had occupied the pulpit several times
since Mr. Green was deposed. and had come
prepared for any emergency. The OPEN
ing hymn had been sung and Mr.. Edwards was
Offering feryent prayer when the door was
thrown open and Mr.. Green walked in. followed
by his wife and some OF his supporters. Mr..
Edwards suspended the prayer and await ed
Developments
MIR. Green announced that he had come to
perform his duties as pastor and walked
toward the pulpit. The members of the con-
gregation stood and fixed their eyes on him.
Just as Mr. Green was about to step on the
OF the opposition. caught him by the arm and
told him that he could not go up there; In
II r.. NJ
eon werc clinched. The men OF the congrega-
ton crowded around the combatants and the
women screamed. ono man with sporting
blood suggested that Il ring be formed, but
before the suggestion could be acted on Mr.
stevenson had scored the first knockdown.
He was holding the minister down. whom Mrs.
Green broke through the crowd, aud brnndish-
ing chair. threatened to kill Stevenson If he
struck her husband again.
The congregation we're greatly excited.
Some took refuge behind the benches and
few LEFT The church one OF the trustees
mon um regncd, The congregation fell over
benches and chairs in their efforts to escape.
and screams and yells were continuous few
OF the members climbed out OF the side win
lows. when the lights were turned on again
the church had n rather dsordered appear
ance. Benches and chairs were overturned,
the floor. some OF the members who had been
standing outside discussing the affair returned
to the church. Word was telephoned to the
Communipaw avenue police sutton and Ser
accompanied by tho reserves. hurried to the
scene. Sergeant Booth ordered every body out
OF the church and had il locked.
The Kew Mr.. Edwards started for Brooklyn.
by one OF the women. They were both covered
with mud and said that they had been attacked
by.a crowd OF boys in Halliday street The
anti-Grecn faction declared that the boys had
been instgated by the Rev. Mr. Green's
friends
After the church had been locked Mr. Green
went before Justice OF the Peace j. c. Lowy and
swore out warrant for. the arrest Of Nr. Ste
STEVENSON was arraigned in the Second Grim
tnal Court yesterday morning before Acting
Police Justice Mnes. and gave 5000 bail to
await the action Of the Grand Jury. He has de-
cided TO- procure warrants FOR the arrest OF Mr..
Green; Trustee T. p. Royal and others OF Mr..
Green o suppOrtor5