Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-30
CHURCH IN TROUBLE
AMONG MEMBERS
OF coLoRED DENOMINATION.
Appeal to Court Fails to Allay the
Excitement - Claims by
Both Sides.

The institution of proceedings to have the
court pass upon the troubles of the congre-
CATION of the Metropolitan Baptist Church,
colored did not cause cessation or nos
tilities. Last night between ana ~
o'clock there was trouble in the church
and, it is alleged. an attempt was made by
the congregation to mob the Rev. Benjamin
w. Ferris, who occupied the pulpit. 1t is
said by friends Of the Rev. Simon P. Drew,
who was recently elected pastor OF the
church, that last nights trouble was caused
by the uncomplimentary things said OF the
pastor by the Rev. Ferris. So serious did
the trouble become that the police reserves
were called out, and the minister, VINO, II
is alleged, had provoked the trouble. had to
be escorted through the crowd to a place
where he felt he was in no danger of being
violently dealt with. In the proceedings re-
Gently instituted in court Drew was d.
rected to remain away from the church
until the case had been passed upon. The
hearing is set for next Friday. The church
edffice is on r street northwest between
18th and 14th streets, and Is said to be the
largest of its denomination In the city.
Many OF the officers of the church and
their following claim that Drew has been a
disturber of churches elsewhere. They de-
clare he is not proper man to have charge
of the church, and it is said in this they
are supported by the Baptist Ministers As
ISOLATION (colored) of the District.
Statement by Member.
One of the influential members of Metro
politan Church stated today that under the
ministrations Of Rev. B. w. Ferris a good
meeting was held last night.
Near the close. he said. the followers OF
Drew rushed into the church from building
on the opposite side Of the street and made
a hostile demonstration creating disturb
ance. There was a scene of confusion, he
said and an appeal was made for police
protection. All he and his friends ask, he
said, is that a proper investigation be made
OF Drews past history, claiming that the
result will be his rejection by the entire
congregation.
Attorney Fountain Peyton. representing
the Drew faction was on hand last night
to advise them. He will appear in court
Friday and answer the injunction proceed
ings Messrs. Ralston & Siddons and
Thomas L. Jones will represent the other
side. There were no arrests made by the
police last night. They cleared the church
and afterward ordered the crowd to leave
the sidewalk.
The Other Side.
Rev. Robert johnson was pastor of the
church for many years. The pastor was
not young man and many members went
to other churches. it is declared, because
they thought he did not advance new ideas.
In December last Pastor Johnson died and
shortly afterward the Rev. Drew came here
from Boston. He is a young man and his
revival services are said to have been
largely attended During the three months
he occupied the pulpit on probation. 1t is
claimed by his friends. he collected more
than 81 GOO. which was applied to the
church debt. and on a Sunday set apart for
collection for his benefit he received about
$500
It was arranged to have the meeting of
the congregation for the election Of pastor,
held Friday night. and 1t was the night
before this that the first row occurred The
court proceedings were not instituted in
time to prevent the attendance of Mr.. Drew
at the church meeting. and his following. 1t
is alleged. outnumbered the others and the
latter faction withdrew. Their absence re-
suited in the election of the Rev Drew. but
he was not permitted to preach last Sum-
day on account of the court proceedings.
Then Rev. B. w. Ferris was summoned
from Boston to occupy the pulpit and sup
porters of Drew are setting up the claim
that much of his time has been devoted to
saying things about the pastor against
whom an Injunction was obtained.