The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-03-06
A SERIOUS CHURCH TROUBLE
Il CTION AGAINST REV. DIR. J. *.
DIXON OF BOSTON.
Baptist Church Closes and Barrtcades
the Doors Against Him-Hts Wife
sucing Another Woman for $500
for Alienation of His Affections.

the Doors Against Him-His Wife
sucinS Another Woman for $4,000
for Alienation of His Affections.
Boston, March 5-The trouble in the
Warren avenue Baptist church society
eliminated to-day in the refusal of the
standing committee to allow the pastor,
Rev. Joseph X. Dixon, d. D., to conduct
services When Mr.. Dixon arrived at
the church this forenoon he and his ad
herents found all the doors closed and
barricaded. The following notice has
been posted on the big door at the main
entrance:
'There will be no services in the
church to-day. BY order of the stand
ing committee of the society (Signed)
George E. Ladd, Clerk"
The friends of the pastor, who had
been informed previously that an at
tempt would be made to prevent the
holding of services, were very indig-
nant and several Of them favored
breaking in the doors. No such hasty
action was taken, however. A large
crowd assembled on West Canton street,
on which thoroughfare the edifice faces,
just before 10 o'clock A large portion
of the crowd were church members,
while many were persons attracted to
the scene out Of curiosity. The crowd
extended well along the Warren avenue
side of the church, notwithstanding a
rain storm. Rev. Mr.. Dixon decided to
hold brief services in the open air. He
and two deacons friendly to his side of
the controversy stood on the church
steps. Brief prayers were said and the
audience joined in singing hymn. The
pastor and some of the assembly stood
In the rain with their hats off. The
service was probably the most unusual
ever held in the city. Behind the pas
tor and deacons were placarded on the
big doors of the church several long no
tices, including minutes of the last
meeting, the notice given above and a
warning for meeting of the society,
which is called ito see what action
the society will take in reference to dis
solution of any relations that may be
existing between the society and the
Rev. Joseph X. Dixon. The notices were
signed by a majority of the standing
committee. This committee consists of
fourteen members, of whom ten had at
tached their signatures.
The doors had been barricaded on the
inside by ladder, sawhorse and boards.
1t was announced during the forenoon
that three men had stayed in the
church all night to prevent any attempt
that might have been made to force the
doors 1t appears that the standing
committee had a meeting Saturday af-
ternoon, when it was decided to prevent
DR.. Dixon from entering. This action
was precipitated by the action of the
pastor in declaring motion carried at
the meeting of the society last week. |
The notice of services for to-day which
were poised on the bulletin board of the
church was torn down by somebody dur
ing last night Several of the pastors
friends were up nearly all night Just
after midnight, this morning D. l.. Nc
Ivarrie, DR.. Dixon's assistant notified
the newspapers that on the authority of |
Deacon Sawyer, the usual services
would be held to-day The church, |
however remained closed all day. Hun
1reds of people read the notices on the |
doors and many were present at the |
outdoor services in the afternoon
arge crowd arrived to attend other SER
vices, but met with disappointment
The trouble in the church arose over a
difficulty between DR.. Dixon and his
wife, who has sued woman now in |
Worcester for $4,000 damages for the
alleged alienation of her husbands af-
'ections. DR.. Dixon held another open
air meeting this evening in front of the
,hurch and in the course of his remarks
said he expected to occupy his pulpit
next Sunday. In the meantime he in
ended to engage counsel and should be
represented at the church meeting to-
morrow.