The Washington herald., 1911-06-30

There were disclosures yester-
day in the affairs of Rev. DR.. E
Hez Sven and the Second Baptist
Church, Sixth and / streets south
east.
For the first time it became
known outside Baptist Church cir
cles that the resignation of DR..
Sven as pastor of the Second Bap-
tist Church and his departure for
the South was primarily due to the
pastors continued announcements
of startling and ofttimes sensation
al titles of sermons-titles which
in their freakishness caused wide
comment in Washington.
DIR. swEMs EFFORTS.
But the more serious development is the
constant effort, as vouched for by MEM
bers of the Second Baptist congregation,
On the part Of DR.. Sven to induce MEM
bers Of his former flock TO again come un-
Ger his pastorate as members Of his new
religious organisation which he calls the
Capital Baptist Church, with headquar-
ters in Typographical Temple. Up to date
seventy-two or more men and women
have left the Second Baptist Church and
become afAliated with DIR. Swem in his
new field.
And that which most displeases DIR.
Swem's former parishioners are the
methods be employs to persuade the Sec
, ond Church members to leave their old
place Of worship and cast their religious
fortunes with him. They say they would
have been better satisfied II he had not
made his importunities by personal let
tiers Of invitation to members OF their
congregation to come into the fold OF his
new organization.
It was learned last night that because
Of DR.. Swem's announcements Of start
ling subjects OF sermons some Of the old
and conservative members Of the Second
Church congregation refused to attend
the Sunday services. These members at.
tended other Baptist churches Of the
city. This action nettled DR.. SVEN, and
he decided to resign the pastorate which
he did as soon as he received a call from
Alabama
Shift of Members.
The shift of members from one church
to the other has caused stir in the
Washington Baptist circles, and some
complications are in sight-particularly
as the church which D1. SVEN has per-
sonally organized has not yet been rec
ognized by the District Of Columbia Bap-
list Association and has no standing In
the dcnc mination.
TIE Jump was gradual, starting last
November. when DR.. SVEN first held
forth in Typographical, Temple, down 20
the last few weeks. The allegation is
made that DR. Sven has been vigorous
IN soliciting his friends in the Second
Baptiat Church to come to him. On the
score of old associations he felt they be- |
longed TO him, it is said and did not
hesitate to make personal appeals.
The facts were discussed at a meet |
ing of the board of trustees OF the Sec |
ond Baptist Church, last week. 1t was
determined to accept the situation |
without provoking factional strife. Dr.
SVEN was pastor of the church for |
twenty-five years, ana allowances were |
made on that account.
Some members OF the Second Church
say the bulk OF the membership of the |
their former members. Not a few OF |
the more ardent spirits have been active |
in attempting to lure some Of them
% H.
several cases they have succeeded.
Families have been divided over the
question. One man. closs friend OF
DR.. SVEN. left the Second Church to
attend the services IN typographical
Temple, and was voted one OF the on
GERS OF the new church. He was later
compelled to return to the old fold be-
cause his fiancee refused to follow him.
On the part Of the older church. It is
not merely q question Of considering
these members, who already have left
Il, but Of keeping others. A trustee Of
the church said last night he Is posi-
tive DR.. SVEN Is disappointed because
he had not succeeded In drawing more
away from them.
Briefly, the situation is as follows:
After a pastorste ranging over q quar-
ter Of century. DR.. Sven announced
to his congregation last August that he
had accepted q call to q Baptist church
in Dushan. Ala, snd was irssvocably de-
oldsd 70 isa9s Washington. DR.. Sven
left for Alabarna within three weeks
after his nrst announcement
without delay, the church appointed
q COMMITTEES to select new pastor.
After visit to cooperstown. N. +. .
eall was extended 60 Rev. Hlnson v. /