Los Angeles herald., 1905-09-14
DOz|ER TR|UMPHS,
MEMBERS RESIGN
EXPELLED DEACON SECURES
REINSTATEMENT
NEW CHURCH TO BE FORMED
First Baptist Congregation Reverses
Action of Sunday and Pastors
Faction Threaten to With
draw Their Letters

Amid loud "aye, aye" and hand clap
ping Prof. Melville Dozier was pro-
claimed member of the First Baptist
church last night, the question being
brought to an issue and a vote was
taken at the church meeting. The vote
of those assembled declared null and
void the action taken at the Sunday
morning service and gave Prof. Dozier
his letter of goodfellowship unasked.
DR.. Henry S. Keyes, church clerk
one of the friends and supporters of
Rev. J. Smale and foremost in the at
tempted expulsion of Prof. Dozier, said
that the action was illegal according to
the civil laws of the land.
1t is stated that $50 of the members
have signed a declaration of intention
to withdraw from the church. 1t is
understood that they intend forming a
church of which the pastorate will be
offered to Rev. Mr.. Smale.
If this occurs it will be the second
church formed as a result of the diff
culties of the First church, the Temple
Baptist church having it's origin in the
troubles which arose two years ago.
Church Crowded
The Sunday school room and gallery
were filled with interested members
and large number of spectators. Be-
fore the service began, a subdued
undercurrent of excitement was dis
cernible.
The service was opened by singing
"Clinging to Thee" This was followed
Mr.. Henry. He dwelt at length upon
Hebrew 12, stating that whom the
Lord loveth he chasteneth"
He called attention to the notoriety
accruing to the church and said that
the churches of the world as we'll as
the hosts of heaven were watching 1t.
He begged the members to act indi-
vidually as Christians who would one
day take their places with the hosts
OF heaven.
He said that thought was an import
ant factor and had the power to save
or to damn. He said that those who
said one thing and thought another
were risking their eternal salvation.
This was followed by the hymn
marching to zion," which was sung
with much fervor.
Prof. Dozier Prays
Prof. Dozier offered an earnest prayer
in which he asked for the tender mer-
cy of the Heavenly Father. He also
asked grace and peace for Rev. Mr.
Smale, and that he might put his many
talents to usefulness in the vineyard.
At this juncture some one began sing
ing There's a Great Day Coming"
which was taken up by few voices,
until the chorus was reached, when all
joined in.
One old man, tottering in his efforts
to be heard. earnestly implored all to
remain in the church and that peace
and harmony be restored.
The service was then declared closed
anu LtlG SOoGAOll OC3uiis
Over in one corner man motioned
for all those present not members of
the church to retire. His voice was
drowned in the excitement of electing
a chairman.
Dozier Made Chairman
Prof. Doziers name was offered at
the outset, when three of his friends
jumped to their feet in their endeavor
to second the motion. He was unani-
mously elected. Prof. Dozier took the
chair and made short address, in
which he expressed his deep gratitude
for the honor bestowed upon him at
that particular time, and made brief
statement of the vote of the church
on last Sunday, stating that it was IL
legal.
This was followed by the state
ment of DR.. Keyes and the action de-
claring him a member of the church
was adopted with strenuous eagerness.
The majority of those present showed
their good feeling by hand ciapping'
which was frowned upon by the adhe-
rents of Rev. Mr.. 5male. Several ut
terances were made upon the impro-