The Great Oyster Supper Schism

The members of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, in the eastern part of this city, are looking for a new pastor to succeed Rev. W. B. McMillan, removed by the presiding elder a week ago because of an absence of harmony in the society. The membership during the last six months has fallen from about 100 to about twenty-five, and the attendance and interest in the affairs of the society have decreased correspondingly. The trouble is due to the stand that the pastor took upon the subject of church socials, his sentiments being so strongly opposed to that feature of the church work that he brought down the antagonism of so many of his flock that the final result was his removal.

Mr. McMillan came to the charge in September. The church was heavily in debt. Just before the conference, a number of the strong supporters of the church wanted a different preacher, but the bishop appointed Mr. McMillan instead. While the members were initially upset, they decided to make the best of it, giving the pastor a fine reception and wiping out $1,000 to $1,500 of the church debt. Everything went smoothly until about two months ago, when the ladies of the church proposed an oyster supper and social to raise funds. The pastor refused to read the notice from the pulpit. A member made the announcement instead, and the event was held, but the relationship between the pastor and his flock rapidly deteriorated until the pastor was removed. A committee representing the remaining members has since issued resolutions declaring him a 'victim of unjust criticism.'