The New York herald., 1922-02-21
Stormy Scenes in Madison
Avenue Baptist Church
Over DR.. Halls Charge.
WOMEN LOYAL TO PASTOR
Refuse to Listen to Letters In
tended to Sustain Alleged
Slanders.

The congregation OF the Madison
Avenue BAPTIST Church had another
stormy meeting last night in Sanders
Hall, adjoining the church building at
Madison avenue and Thirty-frst
street, as result Of the charges made
by members against the pastor. the
Rev. George Caleb Moor. After two
hours Of oral fighting the congrega-
ton voted, 70 to 35. for the expulsion
OF the Rev. DIR. Charles F. Hall, re-
tired clergyman, formerly a deacon in
the church and a war worker in Eng
land during the conflict with Ger
many, for his alleged slanderous re-
marks about DR.. Moor
DR.. Hall took the stand during the
meeting and read letters which tended
to substantiate the charges that he
and Mrs. Jesse V. Day, expelled at "A
meeting of the congregation last week,
have made against DIR. Moor. accus-
ing him of improperly while pastor
OF church in jamestown, Va. But
the reading of the letters met with
vigorous protest.
Women cried out shame Shame {,
It's crime against DR.. Moor" and
groups OF them flounced from the hall,
Indignantly refusing TO listen to the
In time to cast their votes FOR expulsion.
The friends Of DIR. Hall were gathered
i'm the left wing OF the auditorium Mrs.
Grace Humiston, sister Of Mrs. Day, was
counsel for DR.. Hall and led the fight
for his retention In the church. The
controversy followed Immediately the
vote OF the congregation not TO take
action on two other members named by
the Joint committee and in voting to per-
nit another member, a woman. TO with
draw from the church. These names
were not made public.
Or. Moor attempted 10 prevent DR..
Hall from reading the letters he had
to hear out the statement that the
present pastor IS not a flt person TO
occupy the pulpit OF the church. And
after both sides had been heard pr.
Moor challenged DR.. Hall TO drop the
controversy and withdraw from the
church.
"Tll acccpct that challenge thun-
dered Or. Halll. waving n defiant arm
at Mr. Moor far across the hall ION
condition that every mention OF this
case is expunged from the records. I'll
withdraw and gladly take my member
ship TO some other church,
This was not agreed to by the con-
sregation and DR.. Moor made another
attempt TO save Or. Hall from the ex-
pulsion which seemed imminent. "I'll
meet YOU half way" he shouted. step
ping midway along the width of the
hall and facing Dr. Hall. Drop your
accusations against me and take back
your sianderous statements and you
will be permitted TO withdraw from the
church and 30 elsewhere"
Not 81 it's the last word utter be-
fore I go before my Maker will say
that" tparcd Dr. Hall. "fll not take
back ono word OF what I've said and
what I've corroboratcd here tonight by
letters from persons who know YOU,
nr. Moor." Ills voice shook slightly
and YOU could hear sohs in tn. back
OF tho auditorium.
Or. Hall took his scat and the mod
orator called upon the congregation to
act upon the motion to eXpell Or. Hall
because OF charges OF having made false
and slanderous statements TO the
deacons about the pastor. The action
was recommended by tho joint commit
tee BY a standing vote the expulsion
vas ordered. Immediately afterward the
congregation voted to adjourn. Fur
ther action growing out or the contro-
vorsy over tho alleged actions Of Or.
Moor will be considered next week.