The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-08
END CHURCH
 DISSENSION. Members of Adams Street Baptist Talk. REV. MIR. SHELTON wITHDRAwS His Offered Resolutions Rejected
 by Majority. Deacons Publish Statement of Their Attitude-Gaston Scott Says
 There Are No Factions
 in Church.

WILT bu0 0nSEIH& OI resolutions Tn I the Adams Street Baptist Church yes l terday when Rev. John Bass Shelton announced that he would not seek to come again Into the church where his presence has caused so much of dis sension. and the conflicting statements made by deacons who favored Mir. Shel- ton and the party which has opposed him, the incident was declared, as 1t might be said in the language of dip- lomatic service, to have been closed. Deacons of the church made a state- ment last night in which 1t was said that Mir. Shelton had been awarded a letter in full fellowship and that they would decline longer to have part in the dissensions. MT. Shelton in the which 1t Is understood was not had on account of the refusal of other mem bers of the church to participate. A well known member of the party opposing Mir. Shelton, Gaston Scott, said last night that there had been no arrangement of matters beyond the fact that there had never been any factions and that the majority of the members of the Church had always op- posed Mir. shelton and had maintained their position.
 A retiring member of the church, speaking of the affairs that have att tracted so much attention. said last night that he had ended his connection with the church.
 Need of Gun Suggested.
 T do not care to have any member ship In 8 church to which feel that ought to carry a shot gun for protec- tion," he said. ITO say the least 1t Is undignified. It Is not the part of a gentleman. not to speak of Christian, to take part in such bickerings as have occurred in the church in the last few days"
 The rumor that the church had been closed was denied last night
 It is believed that there will be no more dissension in the congregation. The members who have espoused and worked for the cause of Mir. Shelton have now practically retired from the church and those who remain there will have their own way. One party claims victory, the other claims that It has been unfairly defeated and the field will be left without farther. strug- gle.
 Following is the statement that was made to The Advertiser last night by c. J. Thrasher and others.
 We, the deacons of Adams Avenue Baptist Church. wish to make the fol- lowing Anal statement with reference to our present situation.
 Yesterday morning our former pas- tor, the Rev. John Bass Shelton, who about two weeks ago reunited with our church without q dissenting vote. came to our church and proposed a Peace Conference.' This conference was the privilege of making a statement. which he gave as follows:
 My dear Brethren and Sisters There has come a division in this church. the cause of which 1t is said, primarily, was the offering of myself to become member of this church. Therefore,
 Resolved irst-rhat I. John Bass Shelton, will withdraw from this church today. as came, taking my letter. which was given you from Southside Baptist Church, without malice or envy toward any. but forgiveness towards all. and asking same; for all things wherein I have offended any one;
 "'Resolved second-That all ag- grievances. both public and private be, and are hereby withdrawn between va rious members of this church.
 "ResoUed third--That all actions of the church which have transpired since the beginning of this unfortunate oc- currence be expunged or erased from the church record and by the help of the Holy Spirit plotted out of our memories.
 Resolved fourth,--That all mem- bers and officers take their respective places in the church as heretofore and that no further publicity be given to the matter, and that we as Gods child rem agree to refrain further discussion of the matter among ourselves.
 "'Resolved ffth.-That we are in- dividually and severally sorry for every mistep or mistake we have made and do by the adoption of these reso- lutions, as a whole. hereby, forgive one another and pray our Fathers forgiveness and guidance in all mat ters in our future life.
 "'Resolved sixth, That said resolu- ton. be adopted or rejected. as the case may be, without discussion.'
 "The above was the proposition up- on which Mir Shelton proposed as a settlement of peace for all concerned. We think his conduct in this, most de- plorable matter, is the most conspic- uous example of Christian humility and true nobility that has come under our observation, but We are sorrow to have to say. that those who have been the principals in prosecuting him and bringing about this depiorable affair refused to receive this plan of settle ment and with the aid of members of the Baptist Tabernacle adjourned.
 Immediately there was call con ference of the Adams Avenue Church proper, by which we mean, the church without a large number of members who have lately withdrawn to unite with what is known as the Baptist Tabernacle. This, the real Adams Avenue Church, unanimously accept ed MT. Shelton's statement and gave to him at his own request a letter in full fellowship to unite with any church of like faith and order. "G. J. Thrasher, Chairman; A. C. Hendleys G. w. Wal den,-@W. T. Perry.
 A mark of dissension yesterday was said by Mir. Hendley to be the differ ence that resulted when Sunday school was opened. MT. Hendley said that he opened the services and that immedi- ately rival services were opened with the singing of hymns
 Mir. Scott, who has been prominent in opposition to Mir. Shelton. stated last night that there had been no fac- tIons in the Church. He said that MT. shelton had not been wanted there and that he had finally been convinced that he had no right in the church. Mir. Scott said that the affair. so far as he and other members of the congregation were concerned was terminated.
 BALLoONIsT IS KILLED.