Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26
TROUBLES OF A CHURCH
Pastors Unexpected Desertion and Suisse
quent Return Causes Factions.
Lively Meeting of Congregation Be-
hind Closed Doors and Under
Guard-Reporters Excluded.

There was a lively meeting last evening
at the Salem Baptist Church. colored, on
Champlain avenue near 18th street, which
proved decidedly interesting to the congre-
CATION the members of which were the
only ones permitted to enter the front
door. Reporters and all persons not known
to the membership were excluded, and
while the result Of the meeting was kept
somewhat secret, 1t is understood some ac-
ton taken in the matter of charges
against the former pastor, Rev A. e.
Aversion who suddenly left the city last
March, but returned short while ago
ready to resume the duties of his charge.
The church IS "a one-story structure, pre-
senting tho appearance OF a pancake from
the outside, and up to last March had
regular minister of the faith at its head.
The heavy storm of several Years ago blew
down portion of the building, and since
then the congregation has not been able
to raise funds with which to rebuild 1t.
The members of the congregation were
somewhat late last night in attending the
meeting. and 1t about S:45 before the
exc rrises commenced. There were about
ten people inside. and probably twenty on
the outside. of both sexes, those on the
outside endeavoring to keep reporters from
coming near The structure.
Up 10 this spring Rev Mr.. Aversion was
in charge of the spiritual welfare Of the
members of the flock. About that time,
however some stories were reported
against him and the minister left town.
Since that time the church has been with,
out regularly ordained head, the SER
vices held since having been conducted by
Beverly Prior an old man.
Action of Trustees.
The board of trustees of the church. af-
ter hearing the evidence and rumors
against the minister, declared the pulpit of
he IN he he tr,1c
Thomas Johnson. chairman; Robert Car
ter. Charles Harris. Lee Washington,
George Jackson. Milton jackson and F. F.
Carter. secretary. The names of the board
are appended to elaborate set of print
ed and framed rules, thirteen or fourteen
in all, conspicuousy displayed in the yes
Thule of the church, three of which are
that no matches are to be struck on the
WALL that persons using tobacco are
qucsted not TO spit on the floor, and that
persons using candy are requested not to
throw paper on the floor.
Everything was progressing finely for the
church without a head when the former
pastor suddenly returned to the city. He
appeared at a church meeting, ready and
willing, he said, to resume his duties. This
happened, it is said, at a meeting held the
third Friday of last month, and the meet
ing last night the first business meet
ing since then. Accounts of the first ap-
pearance of the pastor do not agree. 1t is
he was sorry he had left the church with
out head for such long time, and would
In the future be more attentive to his re-
ligious duties.
Probably Correct Version.
version given last evening to Star
reporter, just prior to the meeting, by one
of the officials of the church, is perhaps
authentic. He stated that the minister
came before the last meeting in most
penitent mood. apologized for his conduct
and asked forgiveness for his wrong-doing.
He made it IN such a way that the con-
gregation forgave him, and he was once
more restored to good graces. He could
not. however. resume his minis erial duties
without official action, the pulpit had
been declared to be vacant, and before be-
ing filled regular formula had to be fol-
lowed, formal call extended, etc, as the
official stated.
The temperance of the minister has
caused something of a fractional feeling in
restoration to the pulpit and others OPP
what dubious over the result He attend
ed the meeting last night, but before en-
tering the church took the trouble to walk
around on one side, where windows We're
wide open, presumably to find the lay Of
the land before permitting himself to enter
the portals Of the edif1ce. From indica-
tons last evening, and from remarks made
II Is evident those In favor of the retention
Of the pastor are in the majority. though
the result of the deliberations could not be
positively aScertained-