The age-herald., 1900-02-18
DlsPENsARY MANAGER
Expelled from the First Baptist Church
 in Athens, Ga.

Athens, Ga. Special to the Atlanta Consti-
 tladon.
 aMr. Macon c. Johnson, manager of the Athens dispensary, is no longer member of the First Baptist church of Athens.
 This church took action upon his case yes- lberday morning. and on his refusal to give up the position he held at the dlspensary the church by a vote of three to one ex- cluded him from membership.
 This Is the end of a controversy that at one time threatened to disrupt the relations be-ween the Athens church and the Serepta Baptist association, and which has created severiaa faol9lons- in the church, that now may become reuonciled.
 The objection raised to MT. Johnson was not personal, nor did it pertain to his pri- vate or religious character. It was based ueon the fact that he sold liquors at the dispensary He had strong defenders in the church, they maintaining that the dispen- sary was established in part by the votes and influence of the members of the Baptist church, that it was deemed to be the best solution of the whisky question that could be obtained in Athens, and that MT. John son had ac7epted the position of manager of the dispensary and only after consuHa- tionw1lh leading members of the church as to his religious duty.
 The Serepta Rapttst assoca aition objected
 
 ager Johnson to retain his membership and threatened to withdraw fellowship. This led to a discussion belt ween the association and the church. which continued until last fall, when the chur1ah passed a resolution that it did not believe in any church mem- ber selling liquor as beverage. This prac- tically settled the matter.
 It only then remained for Manager John son to give up his position at the dfspen- Sary or prepare to get out of the First Bap- tist church. He debated the matter thor oughly and chose the latter course.
 It was knlown that the case of Manager Johnson would come up yesterday morning In the church conference Manager Johnson wias not present, but sent in a commuica- tlon in writing that stated his position clearly. He manufactured that the dispensary was established by the votes of the pro- hibitionisits, and not by those who favored the sale of liquor. that it was accepted as the best that could be done under the cir cumgtapces, that the preachers ard good wumen united in asking the legislature to establish it, that after it was established the proh'lbtfonfsts decided th9t they wanted a good man for manager, and member Of the church if possible. He was offered the rlaee and before accepting 1t consulted with bis pastor and leading members of tho church, who todd him that he could accept it; that he did not see any harm in the po- aition that was rew alleged by those who were on the other side
 After the reading of Manager Johnson's letter the question was opened for debate" Judge Andrew J. Cobb, of the supreme dourt of Georgia and Hon. Thomas s. Nell defended the position of Manager Johnson, and Messrs. s. J. Tr1bbe A. s. Parker, and G. H. Gerdine spoke in opposition. On the vote Manager Johnson was excluded by tp 1, tho conference being divided dn that rlroportion
 , Int is believed that the action of the First Baptist church will settle the question. for Manager Johnson Will make no move to re- open it. He is satisfied as to his cause and will continue as manager of the dlspensary.