Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-03
BIGHAM WILL NOT
RETURN TO NEWMAN
Under No Circumstances Will !
Return to Newman as Preacher
in Charge, Declares DR..
r. J. Bigham
will not return to Newman as pastor

Il will not return to Newman as pastor
in charged"
The above positive statement, which
hurls the Methodists of north Georgia
once more into turmoil of debate ana
protest and counter-protest tand some
say-intrigue), was spoken to journal
representative early Wednesday alter
noon by Rev. II. J. ,Bigham.
The pastor about whom has ragged dur-
ing the past few days such "a storm as Is
without precedent IN the annals OF the
Methodist church, had come TO Atlanta
curing the morning, and was at the New
kimball.
"Under no circumstances will / return
to Newman as the pastor in charge salu
the minister with emphasis, Il shall ask
the bishop to release me from the as
signment. l have already practically
asked him to do so in a telegram sent
him this morning, inquiring If what mas
appeared i'm the press about my re-
assignment to Newman is official, and
saying to him that If it is, 1 would have
to ask for release from the Newman APP
pointment"
SITUATION VERY COMPLEX.
Rev Bigham was uttering words full of
portent, for they mean that the Methodo-
dis Is of north Georgia, almost split by
the bitter contention of the past few days
and pacified by the compromise effected
by Bishop Hendrix in his latest order,
are to be once more pTecipitated into an
internal turbulence that is on the close
edge of serious results.
BY wires to the press, Bishop e. r..
Hendrix, now at Searcy, Ark, has with
in the past few hours announced the re-
vocation of all previous orders and the
substitution OF the following appoint
ments: DIR. ]. +. Dawes to remain in At
lanta as presiding elder; Rev. Mr. Big
ham to go back to Newman in charge of
the First Methodist church, and Rev.
Ford McRee to go to Augusta in charge
of St. Johns The bishops action in this
matter, particularly that part of it re-
tanning DR.. Dawes in the Atlanta district,
followed a protest wired to him by the At
lanta Methodist ministers against the re-
moval of DR.. Dawes, and preceded by a
few hours the laity meeting called for
noon Of Wednesday in the American Ma
tional bank The latter meeting was to
also protest against DR.. Dawes removal,
but on receipt of the bishops announce
ment it was called off.
WHAT WILL BE RESULT?
Bishop Hendricks telegram put an end,
seemingly, TO all this activity. But the
appearance of matters in the new light of
Rev. Bigham's refusal to go back to New
nan, is now that the seeming end was
but a brief respite, and that even more
deeply than before the Methodists of the
North Georgia conference. clerical and
lay. are involved in discussion that has
shaken the foundations of their organiza-
ton.
1t is stated that the bishops solution
is eminently acceptable I'm Augusta, and
that st. Johns will receive it's new pas
tor with the open arms Of welcome.
And the majority of Atlanta Methodists
are delighted that DIR. Dawes is to remain
here. The presiding elder was showered
with congratulations. personal and tele.
graphic, at his office in the Gambler build
ing Wednesday morning. DR.. Dawes has
during two years managed very capably
the affairs of the Atlanta district consid-
cred the largest and most important In
the southern Methodist church The
spontaneity with which the Methodists of
Atlanta, laity and clergy alike, rose to
| fight for his retention is demonstration
enough of the high regard I'm which he is
held here.
I FRACTIONAL LINES DRAWN.
But factional lines have been drawn.
and Rev. Bigham's fiat refusal to return
TO Newman will aggravate conditions that
have during the past two days assumed
an aspect that is alarming older Meth
odists of Atlanta, at least. and is impell-
ing them to call for caution.
Rev. Bigham is recognized as one of
the most capable ministers in the south.
In previous charges he has demonstrated
an ability that is almost unquestionable.
and which in itself makes the present
complications more serious.
Nothing more could be drawn from him.
wednesday morning, than the statement
Tor which he is quoted above He as
serted that he is not giving any thought
20 MS future plans. and said that he is
not in position to discuss them. He
implied by his manner that he is puttinp
his case up to the Methodists of Georgia.