The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-14
TROUBLES NOT over
WITH sOUTHsIDE BAPTIST CHURCH
YET.
OVER METHOD OF VOTING.
CONGREGATION DEBATED MORE
THAN AN HOUR LAST NIGHT.

Finally Decided to Vote on Resign
alton by Voice and Not by Ballot.
Resignation Rejected and Vote
Later Was Made Unanimous.
Warm Praise for Rev. Mr.. Eden
field by Members of Congregation.
"AnOther Proposition to Be Acted
Up)H Iiret." Said MIR. EdendeId
when Asked If He Would Remain
as Pastor of the Church.
The troubles of the South Side Bap-
fist Church are not yet ended, though
the congregation last night voted to
reject the resignation of Rev. D. S.
Edenfield. Rev. Mr.. Edenfield said
there is still another proposition
to be considered before he will make
any statement whether he will remain
with the church.
The meeting was one of the largest
that has ever been held in the South
Side Baptist Church. Shortly after 8
o'clock Mr.. H. A. Fountain, senior dea-
con, called the meeting to order and
stated that the resignation of Rev. Mr..
Edenfield had been presented to the
board at it's meeting last Wednesday
night. AS senior deacon he pre-
scented it to the church for action.
The reason given. for the resignation
was that 1.-The proper spirit was not
shown by the church and that there
were discussions among the brethren"
All those who spoke last night were
against the acceptance of the resigna-
ton and though no direct charges were
made there were broad hints that
members of the church had been an
tagonistic to the pastor for some time
past and had worked always counter to
him.
The work of Mr.. Edenfield as pastor
of the church was reviewed in glowing
terms and the highest praise bestowed
upon his efforts. The position which
the church has attained. from a small
mission, was cited as one of the best
evidences of his efficiency as a pastor.
As to the Method of Voting
Finally when all desiring to speak
had been given the opportunity to do
so, a motion to vote on the question
was made and seconded. Before it could
be put, however, an amendment was
offered by Mr.. Clarke to the effect that
the congregation vote by ballot and not
with rising vote. This was the sig
nal for a long debate.
Many took the ground that it was
unfair to vote in any way except with
the secret ballot. The opposition
again began throwing yelled hints as
to why there was such objection to a
made for all to stand by their colors."
When the vote was at length called for
the supporters of the rising vote won
by a large majority.
The presiding deacon then asked for
a vote on the acceptance or rejection
of the resignation. An objection was at
once registered, the plea being that
the question before the house was as
to the advisability of taking vote.
The objection was sustained. 1t was
then unanimously voted to vote on the
resignation.
The question of acceptance or rejec-
ton was taken up and all who voted,
voted for the rejection of the resigna-
ton. There were a number in the
church who did not vote either way.
On motion the rejection was then
made unanimous.
A committee of the deacons was
sent to bring Mr.. and Mrs. Eden
field to the church and announce the
semblage rose and Joined in singing
"Blest be the Tie That Binds" During
the hymn Rev. and Mrs. Edenfield ar
rived, and were informed of the action
of the congregation. Mr.. Edenfield
thanked it for it's action.
Troubles Not Yet Ended.
When seen after the meeting by a
Morning News reporter, Rev. Mr.. Ed
enfield would at first make no state
ment regarding what action he would
now take. When asked if he would
remain as pastor of the church, he said:
II do not wish to say that yet
through the papers, as there are other
propositions before the board of dea-
cons which are yet to be settled. I'm
til they are decided upon, 1 can make
no statement as to whether or not
will remain with the church. There
were two propositions handed in to
the deacons Wednesday night, and only
one has been acted upon thus far. You
may say, however, that 1 heartily ap-
prHciate the action of the congrega-
ton
Though Mr.. Edenfield would make
no statement as to what the PROPOSE
ton yet remaining is, one of the
deacons, a staunch supporter of the
pastor, stated that it is a question
of position. REV. Mr.. Edenfield has
SldlGQ that lie Will ItLidHl WIN the
church only if he is placed in the po-
sition of pastor, and not required to
do other things"
This proposition will be brought be-
fore the church at some future meet
ing, the deacons having not yet de-
cided just when. The meeting last
night remained in session until 1920
o'clock. Following adjournment, an in
formal reception was held in the
church to shake hands with the pas
tor.
For a very pretty calender for year
1904, including December, 1903, apply