The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-29
ReU. John Bass Shelton
 And Tom Scott Discuss

said that he regretted the wrangles that had disrupted partially the con- gregation. The charges that he had made against MT. Shelton, which were of serious nature, refiecting upon his character for truthfulness and moder- ate living, he declared he had spoken upon the strength of testimony that he knew. through his own perceptions, 10
 Except for the statements made by the two principals there has been Doth- ing officially done since the hrst out break when members of the oolics de- pertinent summoned to prevent con tinuance of what, some of tho consre- gation in the Adams Street Baprst Church feared was incipient trouble Of a very serious kind.
 Mir. shelton's Statement.
 T was invited by the committse on Supply for the Adams Street Baptist Church to lead the prayer meeting m on that Messrs. Scott were opposed to my doing so. I went to them and tried to bring about settlement of the dif- of the Lord Jesus Christ. as laid down in Matthew, xviii, 15, l6 and IF. l mad my Bible with me. at the time and ask ed them for a private interview that 1t of the Master, but they refused to settle, according to my suggestion, from a Biblical point of view. and replied they would settle the matter in their
 when entered Adams Street Church and opened the prayer meeting, after the singing of two or three songs. MT. Tom Scott objected to my leading the services. The question was then put to the church as to whether I should lead the services or not and MT. Scotts :sThe Services continued and while was reading the Scriptures and pro ceeding as the usual, customary way IS, I was constantly interrupted by Messrs. l Tn N1rnh a W that 1t was Impossible for me to con- tinue the service. l then stated to the congregation that they would have to protect me from further interruption in to my home. Some one at this stage arrived, taking their seats in the adja- ceed ceeded d0Vh Without @ further interruption.
 At the close of the prayer meeting. on the request of Mir. c. J. Thrasher, Chairman of the Beard of Deacons, a,,..o.a a of Investigating why the letters of certain Mr. White had not been sent to him. The specific purpose of the conference, however was not stated at the time that 1t was called. "on motion of myself. with a second by one of the Messrs. Scott do not know which one--Mr. Willis Chandler, | who was a sympathizer with the | Messrs. Scott. in their objection to my | leading the prayer meeting, was named as moderator. At once I saw Tn the NIT Tom Scott na on T tse simple 9aeatioS i of electing a clerk for the meeting, an | intention to talk to death the meeting | did not know what his motive was | but was conscious of the fact that this 1 was his purpose.
 While this question was under way. l Rev. Mir. Fancher, pastor of what Is Tabernacle, and formerly pastor of the l Adams Street Church. came into the meeting with his congregation, and they voted down the church people on them. went to the rear of the church, 1 shook hands with several members of | MT. Fanch CTS church, offered my hand | to him in fraternai way. He refused l to shake hands with me or to speak to l me. and then remarked;
 ! "In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. as Christian, regarding you as the same. will you shake hands with
 "He said, T will not
 | ''Mr. Fancher, who quit the church conrregation' has, with his adherents, | been granted letters of dismission. Dr. w. B. Crumpton, Secretary of the State Baptist Board of Missions, assisted Mr. Fancher in organizing his church. II Is a Baptist Church. for any one who knows Dr. Crumpton will not accuse him of organizing anything else than a l Baptist Church.
 | Rev. MT. Fancher ard his congrega- tion, not being members of Adams Ave nue Baptist Church, therefore had no | right to vote or participate in the de- | cision of questions relative to Adams Avenue Baptist Church.
 "The entire proceedings were out Of | order, as any parliamentarian knows | as called meeting for a special pur- pose cannot entertain any other busi- ness except that for which 1t is call ed. The business for which this meet ing was called could and would "a IA N.,.& for the interference of MT. Fancher and his congregation who were brought in by Messrs. Scott, and except for the ruling of the moderator, Mir. Chandler, and his adherents-had as much right to vote as did anybody else
 Tt has. been stated that I am de- sirous of the pastorate of Adams Avenue Baptist Church.
 T am not
 T am at present in evangelistic work and shall continue therein until the Lord directs me otherwise I do not wish and will not be drawn into any controversy with anyone in any manner whatsoever in regard to thls unfortunate occurrence. As suffer, I shall endeavor to do as my Master threaten not. When reviled, will revile not again, and whosoever may despitefully use me I will pray for.
 May Gods will be done, His spirit come power for his Qualification"
 Upon inquiry as to what reply he would make to the accusation by Messrs. Scott that he had been guilty of incompetence, MT. shelton said:
 There was period in my life. un- fortunately, and I am sorry to have to make a statement in which was a1 incorporate man. But that was in other days and not now. and I call God to my witness that I am in vital touch with that sweet relation that exists between every Christian and his Mas. ter, and am sorry to have to say, witt the kindest feeling that any one whC accuses me of intemperance, is incor. rect in his statements"
 T. J. Scott who was the first to fin. terrupt MT. Shelton Wednesday nighI made the following statement yester. day afternoon:
 "The statement that has appeared 1T the published reports that I withdrew from the Adams Street Church witt the Fancher faction and joined in tht formation of another church organiza. tton is an error. have never with
 drawn. from the parent church bu
 lcyal to f it's Sest e interest @ s oohsis'eh''' There are wealthier, larger anC
 more pretentious churches in the coun
 try than the Adams Avenue Baptis
 Church, but there is not another tha
 love so well or whose success ant capacity for good SO much desire wy grandfather, the late John B. Fay
 TOT, who was well known as private
 secretary to Governor Shorter as wei
 as a preacher was its first pastor anS
 my tather and mother were both mem
 ners or 1t for years and for those sen
 ImentaI reasons as we'll as others thu tn tcnurcn and all that pertains to its in IereSts are very dear to me.
 III COmmtftAA