The San Francisco call., 1904-07-10
Baptist Minister and
His Flock Are at
Loggerheads.

OAKLAND, July determination and
recrimination between the Rev. Madi-
son Slaughter and members of the CAL
vary Baptist Church, at the corner of
Twelfth and West streets, threaten
that congregation with disruption. The
pastor is quoted with having said, Il
will rule this church or I will break
it" On the other hand petition is in
circulation among the members to dis
miss him. In the meantime Henry c.
Gilbert, president of the board of trus-
tees, and ]. A. Spangler have with
drawn from the church.
The dissension is said to have oc-
CURED over the matter of church i'm
provement. In a statement prepared by
A. c. Ralston, a deacon of the church
who has withdrawn, he says that a
week ago the trustees made report in
regard to contemplated Improvements.
Over this meeting the pastor presided,
and when he heard the report of the
trustees, upon which they were a unit,
he showed his disapproval by censuring
the entire board and then leaving the
meeting After he left his suggestions
were disregarded and the report adopt
ed as submitted.
There was an outward lull following
the speaking of the pastors mind at
the business meeting, but the caldron
was still boiling. The next Wednesday
evening prayer meeting was turned
into a bedlam by an announcement
credited to Mr.. Slaughter in which he
said that there were members then
present with whom he would not as
sociate. He asked them to withdraw.
Following this applications were pre-
sented from many members for letters
of withdrawal. The insurgents are
now trying to gain a sufficient lead TO
oust the pastor from the pulpit.
In reply to the accusations made
against him the Rev. Mr.. Slaughter
declares that the entire trouble has
been caused by few disgruntled mem
bers. 'I called a meeting some time
ago. he said, ITO find out what the
feeling was toward me, and out of a
total of seventy-two members who at
tended the meeting fifty-eight voted on
secret ballot for me to stay, while
only fourteen voted against me.
Eighteen members who did not attend
the meeting have since sent me word
that while they were not able to be
present they would have voted to re-
tain me- With seventy-six members
out of a total of about ninety resident
members, / feel that my work here is
not done"
An attempt was made few nights
ago to entice the dove of peace once
again to spread it's wings over the dis
turbed congregation. To this end spe-
ciaI meeting was called at the residence
of a member. Exhortations were
spoken, confessions made and apologies
accepted. A woman called for the TAX
ing Of hands and the singing Of "Blest
Be the Tie That Binds" Seemingly the
ruffied spirits were to become calm. But
the good work was spoiled by mem
| ber refusing to join in the ceremony
unless the charge was withdrawn that
Slaughter had said he would spend his
last 500 to break up the church unless
he had his way.
II did not say it," announced the pas
tor.
Yes you did," called out Mr.. Green.
superintendent of the Sunday school.
| You said it in the presence Of myself
and my little boy"
You did say IT," retorted Deacon
Gilbert.
The song was not sung. and the meet
ing adjourned with the wounds gaping
more widely than ever. And the end is
not yet.