The Cairo Daily Bulletin

THE WAR OF THE CHRISTIANS

THE GUSHING MR. FRIEND, PASTOR OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, RIDES A HIGH HORSE—EXPELS MR. S. R. HAY AND BRINGS CHARGES AGAINST MR. GEORGE M. ALDEN.

We publish elsewhere on this page the announcement of Rev. Mr. Friend, that he will preach in the Christian church to-morrow. We also publish a card from the trustees forbidding him the use of the church. Our readers will, therefore, observe that a slight misunderstanding exists between the trustees and their ought-to-be beloved pastor. And the Bulletin, like the faithful newsgatherer it is, has collected the following facts relating to the trouble.

TO BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING,

which is Mr. Friend. This gentleman is young, and it is no reflection on him to state that in appearance and style he is best described by the word gushing. Ladies would call him handsome, and male members of his congregation call him, to speak in common parlance, "cheeky," although, with the latter opinion, we disclaim any sympathy. Of his ability we are not able to speak, for circumstances have denied us the pleasure of ever listening to him.

BUT TO THE ROW.

This gentleman, six months ago or thereabout, came to Cairo in the capacity of an Evangelist, or one who is sent out by the head of the Christian Church, to preach the gospel of the Redeemer. He assumed membership in the church, so the trustees state, without invitation or solicitation, and immediately afterward usurped the pulpit, in the face of a written protest, signed by the trustees. Ever since there have been wrangling and jarring in the Temple of Him who preached only Love and Peace.

At all efforts of the trustees to oust him—to force him into a "new departure"—he simply smiled, and exhorted them, scripturally, it is to be presumed, to go their way and not bother him.

THINGS,

if we may be permitted to use the expression about so holy a subject went on from bad to worse until the Christians were, figuratively speaking, threatened with the

"DEVIL TO PAY."

It finally came to a head. Mr. Friend would stand it no longer, and brought charges against Brother Hay for lying, to use our informant's language. He charged that Brother Hay had agreed, at a meeting of the church, to submit to his pastor-ship, which would include, of course, any action the reverend gentleman might see fit to take; and that after such an agreement, he attempted to incite the congregation to rebellion against him. This was the milk in the cocoanut, and upon it trial was had at the Christian church last night.

BROTHER HAY PLEADED

that the reverend gentleman had misconstrued both the terms of the agreement and his action. That he agreed simply to accept him, after the gentlemen had forced himself upon them, and maintained his right to express at any and all times the propriety of a change in the pastorship of the church of which he was a trustee. This gored Mr. Friend. He saw the points were well taken, and refused to submit the charges to a vote of those present, maintaining that elders alone had the right to vote, and he being the only elder,

GENTEELLY EXPELLED MR. HAY

from the church. Performing this with the quiet air of a man used to wield authority, he turned on Mr. Alden, and preferred charges, the character of which we did not learn, against that gentleman. Then there were squalls—religious furore we mean. The trustees got red hot and informed him they would publish the card spoken of above. He simply smiled, and remarked "we shall see."

THE KEYS OF THE CHURCH WERE THEN

DEMANDED

from Mr. Carpenter, father of the sexton of the church, and that gentleman, being friendly to Friend, politely refused to give them up. And thus the matter stands.

Yea, Verily, but it is sad.