The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27
Squabble On New aston
Ends In Bklyn. Fisticuffs
BY ALFRED DUCKETT

over what they term the
illegal call" OF the Rev. Cor
nell f. Tally, Pittsburgh
clergyman, to assume the
pastorate Of the Cornerstone Bap-
list church In Brooklyn. belliger-
ent members OF Cornerstone's con-
gregation climaxed a hectic five
hour session OF debate and hot
controversy with a fist free-for-all
fight
Seeds Of the dissension, according
to church members. were sown
when on the Sunday proceeding the
Inflated meeting. ii was announced
that the session would be held for
roll-call OF members. Actually.
they claim, the stage had been set
for committee OF church deacons
20 present a resolution that the Rev
Talley be accepted as pastorS Pie
former pastor, the Rev. T. w. Fen.
tress, died late in December Of
l94l and the pulpit has been vacant
ever since.
The church. which has an active
membership OF some 1900. has &C.
commodations only for one-third Of
that number. Presided over by
Deacon w. II. Holly. chairman OF
the Board OF Deacons. the Wed
ncsday night meeting was packed
TO the doors.
Denounces Move
With the introduction Of the in
citing resolution. Church Member
John Burnett jumped to his feet.
denounced the move and made a
counter-resolution that DR.. Talley's
name be withdrawn on the grounds
that no due notice had been fur
nished the membership and that
Il was not proper to offer only one
name.
The deacons' committee retired
after much hot debate then re-
turned. offered the resolution again.
A vote was taken with 1873 OF the
500 assembled voting to accept the
minister. the balance of the men,
bers refusing toy vote. -v--
With the announcement OF Dea-
con Holly that he considered the
vote mandate TO notify the Rev.
Talley Of his selection. the rioting
erupted. Angry men shook fists
in each others faces. some landing
blows. Women shrieked shrilly
and took cover. some OF the more
timid souls making a Decline for
the door.
Maude 3. Cummings. prominent
Brooklyn musician. had all she
could do TO restrain one Of Dea-
con Holly's daughters after another
daughter had been struck by an UNI
identified male member in the
midst of angry protestations. The
meeting. which had assembled at
$50 broke up at 100 am. 1t was
learned that Holly notified Tslley
OF his acceptance.
Object To Methods
Embittered church members this
week were loudly Directing to the
selection. none expressing personal
dislike for the proposed cleric. but
many Directing to the methods
used 10 steamroller him through"
Some members OF the board Of
dcacons, these members charged,
and other officers have combined
in a high-pressure pro-Tslley CAM
paign in the last six weeks. A lit
tie more than a month ago. they
said. the Pittsburgh minister came
to Cornerstone TO preach his first
sermon as candidate. A couple
OF weeks later he returned for his
second visit. Next, they pointed
out the pro-Talley officers invited
as a speaker the candidates father.
the Rev. M. A. Talley. former In.
dianapolis cleric and now a men,
Der Of the Sunday School Publish
ing Board OF the National Baptist
Convention. Inc. This series Of
events was seen by many members
as an attempt to railroad the choice
OF some Of the officers and force
the church to accept him.
Possibility OF court action threat
ened in the situation. Protesting
members said they will ask that the
meeting be set aside as illegal.
Failing that, they said. legal steps
would be taken.