Page:A short account of the rise and progress of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in America.djvu/30

 Church found out the intrigue of the enemy, and was on the eve of expelling all those of her members who were aiding in the formation of the Union Society, Abraham Thompson left June Scott, came forward, and pleaded ignorance in what he was doing, and thus saved his membership in Zion Church, as did all the others that were fearful; but June Scott would not return to Zion—he kept his position until it was found that the Union Society was not able to bear its expenses, and was therefore obliged to give up the premises to the said John Edwards, the owner of the ground. The Society consequently was broken up, and June Scott attached himself to another church. It may be proper to remark, that, at this time, our coloured brethren were not allowed any thing as a compensation for preaching for us, as the (white) Elder who had the charge of the church from time to time, claimed that part of the funds and revenues that the Trustees could afford to allow, at that time, for the support of the Ministers. The next attempt to hinder the progress of Zion Church, took place some time in the year 1813, in another underhanded manner: our brother, Thomas Sipkins, who had been a member and Trustee of Zion Church, and had been expelled therefrom, for being somewhat headstrong and rather ungovernable, determined that he would never join her again, and there being no other Methodist church of coloured people in the city, he became lonesome and wanted company, (as he said himself,) and therefore