The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-07-12

With the extending of call to the
Rev. John Bass shelton to the pas
torate Of the Adams Avenue Baptist
Church by some of the members Of
that church, the old contention between
the two factions OF the church. the
Shelton followers and "the excluded
and stsy-sway members" has broken
out afresh. and yesterday afternoon
this latter faction held = meeting at
the Y. M. c. A. and adopted res0lu-
tions declaring against Mr.. shelton. !.
The recently excluded and those of
the stay-away members declare that
Mr.. shelton has not been called by the
votes OF the legal members of the
church. and the sum and substance Of
the resolutions adopted yesterday af-
ternoon 10 that he 10 unit to occupy
the holy ONCE of the ministry of the
Gospel. Another section OF the reso-
iutiohs declare that the bfethren Of the
church who are OF the "Shelton ele-
ment" are out OF fellowship with them /.
Although the newspaper men were
excused from the meeting Of the lex
ciuded and stay-away members" yes
terday afternoon, yet Willis Chandler
stated last evening that their faction
had now organized and were separate
and distinct from the others. although
they still cherished the memory Of the
church. He said that they were not
lighting the Shelton element" as that
faction had perfect right to call Mr. i.
Shelton, but, on the other hand. the
"stay-away members had right to
stand up for themselves and declare
against him.
Mr.. Chandler further stated that II
was hoped that at the time Rev. Ashley
". Pickern resigned, that the present
members attending the services at the
church would call the right sort Of q
man. II they had done this. he said
the contention might have been easily
settled and the stay-away members
would have eventually drifted back into
the church.
Continuing, Mr.. Chandler said that
the other Baptist churches in the city
and State would be appraised of the
action they had taken, and that the
affair is not yet over. He said: MT.
Shelton has his followers at the church
fairly hypnotized; he tells them sugar
coated things and they followed him
around like q lot OF sheep"
And but a few hours before the as
semblaRe of the excluded and stay
aways," Rev. John Bass Shelton could
be heard preaching to good-siset
congregation at the Adams Avenue
Baptist Church. and few hours after
wards TO practically the same congo
cation, unwayering and proud, Rev
Mr.. Shelton continued to preach In the
evening service.
Not q reference was made by him
ct either service 10 the factional Diff
fePences of the turbulent past or the
signs of members glowing anew. II
would seem that he considered himself
In the nature OF guest having been
invited to preach yesterday and under
q call to the pastorate as well. There
fore the matters OF the stay-aways
were extransous aud irrelevant.
Yet Rev. Mr.. Shelton did touch on
the recall of him to I'LL the charch'f
pulpit where he served so long. He
made q statement concerning the invi-
night. He 10 in dilemma or TAT the
fork OF two roads" as he put IL. A
telegram came to him only yesterday
from his congregation in Kentucky
saying they would not accept his res
ignation II he should offer IL. 1t waf
the church that received him In his
start as minister Of the Gospel.
"There is much OF sentiment in the
thought I once had of going back to
that old home church and preaching
there for ave or six years and then to
return here to take up the charge In
the city where / have learned to love
you so WE'LL" said the speaker.
But It was intimated that the dream
IL It be the will of God, could be fore
gone provided certain matters now
shaping between himself and the dea-
cons could meet with the approval OF
the congregation. Accordingly, ne
announced that this evening In the
Sunday school Of the church there VII!
be q meeting Of the deacons for the
consideration Of the proposition which
he put in form.