The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1919-01-03
REV
()lJsTE,I)
Springfield Divine Put
Out of Church When
Opposing Factors
Meet
Patrolunen on Duty


the Forum The war which has
| threatened to rent asunder the con
gregation of the Second Baptist
Church for practically the last four
months was presumably brought 70 Z
close Tuesday evening. when the op-
posing faction met IN finish fight at
q congregational meeting held IN the
church auditorium.
The net result of the more than
three hours battle was the deposing Of
| the Rev Richard r. Frye az the pastor
eff the church while Willialif II. VII
WON, chairman of the advisory board,
who filed the affidavits against the
four members in police court, was
read out Of the church for good meas
ure. It was unanimously voted re-
sumo services this coming Sunday
| G. ID. Swayne was the leader Of the
occasion, he having been elected mod
orator in the FIRST clash between the
| followers of Rev. Frye and those who
have opposed the pastor. At inrum-
cradle times it appeared that the
meeting would develop into more than
/ the usual run Of church congregation
sessions but Mr.. Swayne was equal to
the emergency and kept the warring
factions well in hand.
PatroImen Present
The presence of patrolmen Lisbon
Basey and Guy Hudson no doubt
served to curb the inclinations ef
some Of those present. Before the
Hattie opened the oficera were ssse-
peately piled with the query as to who
asked for the services but like ali
good police officers they replied that
they chad been assigned from head,
quarters" The guardians Of the law
went on picket duty at Z o'clock.
Preparatory to the engagement tho
two factions lined up in regular bait
tie formation, one side occupying
seats on the right Of the church and
the other assembling on the left.
Some few members got into the
wrong camps by mistake as was evi-
denced when the standing votes were
/ taken.
| The Rev Frye contingent had the
distinction Of opening the session but
the opponents carried off the honor OF
CLOSING 1t. Shortly before 5 o'clock,
lit apparently appearing that the pas
tors forces would not be further aug
mented, Rev. Nix, who it is said CAME
from Chicago to assist the Rev. Frye
with revival services which were
never held, inaugurated song service
followed by d lengthy prayer. The ef-
forts of Rev. Nix were directed TO the
Rev. Frye section and when the audi
ence was requested to stand and sing
the opposing section remained in their
seats.
Moderator Chosen
| Just as Rev. Frye ascended the pull
/ pit, motion was offered that G. O.
Swayne act as moderator. The pastor
ruled the motion out, Of order. He
said the constitution of the church
provided for the appointment OF .
moderator and when the proper Tins
come, he would call for II. He re-
marked that it was the duty Of the
pastor to act as moderator unless
charges were preferred against him
These charges he contended, must BE-
filed at one congregational meeting
and acted upon at another. He SAID
The had been III attendance at meet
ing Monday evening when charges
against him were introduced but were
not voted upon.
Rev. Frye read the 134th Psalm ant
announced that after ten minute
song service to be conducted by the
Rev. Nix the congregation would pro
Eceed TO business. AS III the first sing
Rev. Mix ignored the opposing factiof
and when the ten minutes had elapsed
there were frequent cries Of aslt
down. and "we're tired Of that from
the other side of the house.
| From the lineup IL was apparent
Ithat the pastors faithful were IN tht
| minority and his actions during ths
remainder Of the evening tended b
show that he fully realized this
When he again assumed charge Of ths
meeting Rev. Frye said moderate
lhad been requested and that he ha9
decided to put tha question To 4 tes'
vote He promised to stand by ssas
verdict of she majority. kie said h
1
araa bean hiaraed for an Ehat had been