Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1892 — BROKE DOWN CHURCH DOORS. [ARTICLE]

BROKE DOWN CHURCH DOORS.

Brazil (Ind.) Christians Engaged in a Bitter Factional Fight. A Brazil (Ind.) dispatch says: Trouble has been brewing betweenc rival factions of the Evangelical Church in this city for som ’ time past, and culminated the other day in the seizure of .the place of worship by the opponents of the local pastor. The trouble dates ■back to the time when an attempt was made to expel Bishops Dubs and Bowman, both of whom were prominent in Evangelical church circles. One .conference was held at Philadelphia and ono at Indianapolis. The Eastern conference found no charges against the bishops and they were permitted to continue in the service of ( the church. The conference held at Inhowever, expelled thejp. -This caused a split, and since that dissatiefact'pn and contention have prevailed. A meeting was held here recently to make arrangements to secure money to repair Ihe church, and it was decided unanimously, to instruct the trustees to make a contract for the necessary repairs, which amounted to .nearly S4OO. The trustees did as ordered and the contractors commenced work, but had only gotten the ,rrof‘ torn off when the pastor ordered them to discontinue the work. This they refused to do, claiming they had a solid contract with the trustees in writing. The enraged divine and a few-ot his followers declared the trustees were personally responsible, and the presiding elder refused to mortgage the church. This caused intense dissatisfaction, and ever since that time there has been a continuous wrangle in the church, which resulted in the recent sensational occurrence. The 1 ranch of the congregation opposed to the pastor desired to hold a Sunday school session, and upon be'ng refused the keys gained admission by breaking down the doors. Pastoi Winters was asked to preach, but refused to do so, wheieupon the dissenters held an Independent song service and prayer meeting. After service they pul new locks on the doors and announced their determinati n of holding possession. The matter will be taken into the courts.