Year: 1879

TROUBLE IN COLORED CHURCH IN AMIrY-


vILLE--A PASTOR WHO MARRIED AS HE


PLEASED.


The people of Amityville, l.. l., are enjoying 3
lively quarrel in the African Methodist Episcopal
not always been in accord with thoir shep-
herd, and one at least had TO leave very
unceremoniously some time ago. The Confer
ence last spring sent the Rev. A. G. Ackworth to
preside over the fock and he met with fattering
cepton. Being single. mammas with marriageble
daughters We'd with each other in entertaining him,
and on every hand his favor was courted. He drew
large congregations of his color. and many white
people attended.


whom he neglected to introduce to the members of
his congregation. and with this began murmurings
OF discomfort. The mammas did not think him
quite the man for the place. and the papas were in
clined to agree with them but nothing had occurred
to give them cause for complaint to the official board
the Conference. The breach grew gradually WIDER
until Pastor Ackworth went into another neigh
borhood and took unto himself wife. and that with
out acquainting his congregation Of his intention.
When he returned to his charge the white
residents thought he ought to have reception. and
being himself nothing loath, selfconstituted COM
mittee hired Ketchams Hall and perfected the
rargements. DR.. Preston to read congratula
tory address. When the evening for the reception
came, instead OF the colored people of the village
there came numerous delegation from the home Of
the BRIDE and merry night was spent The Amityvu
lians could not rest under this Slight and war
declared by the brothers and sisters. Brother Bur-
ton charged the shepherd with misquoting the Scrip
lures. Another brother charged him with using
grammatical sentences and applying wrong words
Complaint made to the Conference and it is said
that a promise was made to send new preacher
The Conference met in Jamaica last Saturday, but
the subject of MIR. Ackworth's removal not
broached.


SERVICES NOT REQUIRED


Last Sunday morning Pastor Ackworth filled the
pulpit usual. The congregation was small. He
was given to understand that his presence was OBJ
jectionablc but he thought the failure of the Confer
to withdraw him gave him q title to the place
and he would have his rights protected by the law
necessary. The feeling was now at fever heat
Word went round during the afternoon that
the pastor would not be permitted to preach
again. and in expectation OF big row
the church packed in the evening by q mixed
congregation. Pastor Ackwcrth walked up the aisle
with small testament and hymn book in one hand.
and his beaver hat purchased for his wedding, in
the other The girls Uttered and raised themselves in
their seats to get better view. When the pastor
reached the chancol he was stopped by Brother Bur-
ton, who informed him that he would not
Modest words ensued, and Brother Burton.
being well backed up, showed his pastor to seat
in the rear of the church. The lights suddenly
blown out and hootng and catcails followed, it is
said. There has been no reconciliation yet Yes
terday Pastor Ackworth could not be found 1t was
said he had gone to New York and no one knew when
he would return, il at ALL The trustees did not
to talk Of the matter. When tho Conference dis
countenanced them they could afford to discounte-
the Conference and IL preacher did not come
up to their ideas they would not employ him.