The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1904-02-25
As Result of a Big Schism Part Of
the Congregation Pulls Out and
Starts Church of its OWn---Af-
fair is a Sequel to Sensation
al Trial of Rev. ia. Watson.
Brethren and Sisters Say the Mount Zion Church
is Corrupt and DisorderIy Body and They
Repudiate It.-End of Big Church Fight
Is Not Yet.

Ihe recent trial OF Rev. j. a, Watson,
the then pastor of the Mount Zion Col
ored Baptist Church, on the charge Of
disturbing the religious exercises in bis
own church preferred against him by
members of his own flock is still fresh
in the memory Of the readers of this
paper. The trial was rather sensa-
tional one in colored circles and rather
interesting to all on account Of its pc.
cpliar phases.
Watson, it seems, was fired from the
pastorate by the Board Of Trustees. He
refused to get out and on Sunday week
ago DE tried to hold services in the
caurch as usual, notwithstanding the
fact that another man had been secured
to preach TO the Mount zionists. or
dcers were called in.s the church and
the meeting broke up in CONSERVATION
and confusion, The case in court fol-
lowed
Now as a result of this church schisnl
which has been disturbing the equani-
nifty Of the brethren and sisters OF the
congregation for the past several months
the Mount Zion Baptist church is hope.
essly split in twain. Although Rev.
Watson promised faithfully to leave the
Mount Zion congregation forever and
good in the compromise effected at the
close of the trial, he now heads fac
tion in the church and has persuaded
goodly number OF the members Of the
church TO draw apart from that @cor-
rupt and disorderly body as he tefms
it, and institute a new church % their
own.
At meeting held " the parsonage, u
number of the members OF the Mount
Zion church adopted and agreed to the
following resolutions and to-day there is
a new church organization among the
eolored people OF Clarksburg, which Is
known as the First Colored Baptist
Church, of olarksb,irg, w Va.
Resolved, That we the undersigned
names, members, withdraw ourselves
from the Mount Zion Baptist church,
corrupt and discrderly body, in its prac.
ticc and teaching against the laws Of
the Baptist church.
Resolved farther. that We organize our
selves into company of believers in
Christ TO constitute church, and that
We be gul,ied by the. Holy Spirit and re-
| living on the blessings of God.
Resolved farther, we do here and now
by this act constitute ourselves church
Of Jesus Christ, to perform His service
md tobe governed by His will, as re.
solved in the New Testament.
Resolved farther, that we do hereby
take the Bible as foundation TO build
lpon its principal teaching, the laws Of
,od.
Resolved further, that we do hereby
coyenane ourselves to accept Hiscop
Church Directory as our law and guide
to 90 by.
Resolved farther, the name of this
church shall be known as the First Col
ored Baptist Church, Of clarksburg, ".
Va.
Respectfully submitted:
Joseph Smell.
B. J. Wilkinson,
Norman Smell,
AIollie Watson.
Lucy Wilkinson,
Rev J. A. Watson.
Committee.
Adopted February 2l, 1904. BY the tot
lowing persons:
Rev. J. A. Watson,
Bro. B. j. Wilkinson,
Bro. Joseph Smell.
Bro. James Ellis,
BRO. Norman Smell,
Bro. Edmond Jones.
Bro. William White.
Bro. Robert Henderson,
I Sister Sarah Smell,
4 Sister Lucy Wilkinson,
Sister Easter Ellis,
Sister Mollie J. Watson.
Sister Martha Jones.
sister Pearlie Trayes.
Sister Alice Payne
Sister Bette Hunter
Peoria. i'll. Feb. 25-Charles Miller.
tEcalthy farmer. shot and killed Richard