The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1909-03-04
ROW IN CHURCH CIRCLES.

ROW IN CHURCH CIRCLES.
Colored Baptist Brethren of Bam-
berg DO Not Dwell Together in
Unity.
For several months past there has
been considerable friction in the
colored Baptist church at this place,
and last Sunday it seems that mat
ters came to a climax. The details
of the whole trouble would be very
hard to relate. but from the best in
formation We can gather it seems
that some months ago majority of
the officers of the church deposed j.
H. Walker as pastor, but their ac-
tion was not satisfactory to major
| ity of the congregation, SO at a
church conference the action of the
officers in dismissing Walker as pas
tor was repudiated. At this church
conference trouble was narrowly
averted, and on more than one oc-
casion Chief Hand has had to be
present to preserve the peace.
However, the action Of the church
conference in retaining Walker as
pastor was not accepted by the Off
GERS, and they notified Walker that
they would not be responsible for his
salary, but that he would have to
look to those members who voted to
keep him, for his pay. Things went
Oh this way for some time, and final
ly a church conference was held and
vote was taken on the question OF
keeping Walker as pastor, which
was against him. He was therefore
notified that he could not preach in
the church again. He attempted to-
preach one Sunday, but was stopped
by one of the officials acting for the
board, and he then accepted the re-
salt and made statement to the
congregation (first having obtained
leave to do 80 from the officia1s) that
he did not consider himself pastor
any more and said the matter was at
an end so far as he was concerned.
I Then a dispute arose over the
amount due him on salary, the offl-
cials only wanting to pay the amount
Que when they first notified him that
his services were no longer desired,
and he claiming salary up to the
time of his being deposed by the con-
gregation or conference. No agree
ment was reached as to this, and
when asked to vacate the parsonage
he declined to do so until he was
paid. The officials then commenced
suit against him to oust him from
the parsonage, but some mistake was
made in the papers. and consequent
ly new suit was brought. This case
has never been heard.
The trouble broke out anew Wed
nesday night of last week at a
church conference, when it is claimed
a minority of the congregation got
together after the regular church
conference and voted to relnstate
Walker as pastor and turned out the
present officers and elected others
from their own faction. Chief Hand
had to go out that night and compel
the first meeting to adjourn, or rath-
er to make some leave the church
who insisted on staying, so that the
building could be. closed. 1t seems
that after Mr.. Hand left, the Walker
ties re-entered the church and held
their meeting. As result they
stated that Walker should preach in
the church. last Sunday, but
preacher from distance had been
sent here to preach. 1T the appoint
ed hour Walker entered the pulpit
along with the invited preacher, and
attempted to read a Scripture lesson,
when Immediately confusion began.
The preacher from elsewhere arose
and made a statement, telling why ne
was here to preach, and said that he
knew nothing of the trouble, but that
If Walker claimed the pulpit ne
would not preach. One of the Off
GERS then told him to go ahead and
preach, that Walker was not pastor,
and Walkers friends were insisting
that he should preach, and it seemed
likely that a general row would re-
suit. However, just at this time
Chief Hand walked in, having been
brought by the cooler heads, who
wished to avoid a row. He then dis
missed the meeting and locked the
church, his action being satisfactory
to those opposed to Walker. On
Monday a committee of Walkers ad-
herents went to the chief and asked
for the church key, which of course
he declined to deliver. The matter
has assumed somewhat serious pro-
portions, and it is likely that serious
trouble will occur if the matter is
not settled. However, things are In
statu quo until the matter of ousting
Walker from the parsonage is heard
before the magistrate.
It is with regret that we mention
this matter at all, for we do not like
to publish such things as happening
in Bamberg, whether among whites
or blacks, but it has gotten to be a
disgraceful situation, and some serl-
GUS difficulty may result if the fac
tions do not get together and settle
their differences amicably. We do
not pretend to say who is RESPONSE
BILE for all the stir-up, but we DO
know that John Green, who is one OF
the officers opposed to Walker as pas
tor, is as straight as can be, and ne
would not do anybody wrong.