New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-07-17
THE DIFFERENCES IN DIR. CHEEVERS
CHURCH.

In response to call issued by twentyseven of the
members of the Church of the Puritans meeting OF
the members of the Church held last evening IN
the session-room, in Fifteenth street, near Union
square. There was a very good attendance OF men,
bers of both sexes. Mr.. w. L. Gilman was called
upon TO preside, and Mr. +. w. King acted as Sec
ietary.
MIR. O. Z. Wood, one of the late DeacOns of the
Church. said the officers who had recently had their
offices taken from them by the action of the Church,
desired to enter formal protest against that action,
nreyious to which he would make a few remarks.
, Mr.. Abbott suggested that Mr.. Wood speak of the
"late" officers as they had been removed.
The President suggested that it would be understood
who was meant.
Mr.. Wood then said that the proceedings had caused
a deep feeling in the other Churches and particularly
throughout New.Epgland. He declared that the ON
GERS had been condemned without hearing, because
they differed in official opinion with their pastor.
II had never been minated that they were not
desirable members; they were not even present
at the meetings of the Church, and yet many OF
those who condemned them were seldom IN their
place of worship. 1t was their duty to give them
notice of their offense; of the charges against them
When this course had been pursued 1t conii not ps
expected that they would resign their position. haa
that their official cOuusels were no longer desired,
they would have voluntarily resigned Now they
were compelled to resist this movement, because "
was an attempt to strike them down. lie had been
smopp the first to organize the church-had been
elected before the pastor-had used all his influence
to hold up the church. aud he hoped his influence had
been for The good He believed that this step ON the
part Of the church would be regretted. Because ne
had disGg reed with his pastor he bad been called
bypocrte. He said he would explain his absence
ircm the last communion. But two hours before the
L. n.f.h tod hrnfi
him and said that their pastor had used this language
81 accuse Deacon Wood Of falsebOod."
Mr. King-I call the brother to order. don't think
the remark is in order in the absence OF The pastor
Mr. Havens-It is not long since accusations Of
severe nature made against brethren in their alb
sepce. Where the sensiblity OF the brethren
who object nowl
withdraw that part In conclusion, he hoped that as
Ills xas the first time, it would be the last time he
would be called upon 10 speak in defense OF his char
acter for int gritty and honor. lie then proceeded to
read the protest
The protesting members contend:
Firsf That the proceedings were illegal, and null
and void, as the meeting was not properly called
Secondly: AS revolutionary and dangerous, being au
unwa,rsntable subveTsOn Of fundamental article OF
the Church Constitution.
Third: AS unjust ard detrimental to portion OF
the perm aneut officers Of the Church., vacanng
their Offices by an ex post factO rule, without their
consent in violation OF the rule under whcn tney ac
IOurth: As uDscrptural and unchristlan, virtually
and by implication disepliniDg and censurng the
officers without notification or Prvg e OF trlsl as the
miles of the Church and Christian fellowship require.
Fin AS inconsistent and irreconcilable with the
practice and principles of the Church from lite founda.
lion, and especially with its former action when the
rules now attempted to be subverted were after DIS
CUSTOM established through the aid IN part OF tns
pastor.
Siaff: As contrary to the wel-established princi-
ples and utages Of the Congregational Churches in
the United States well as the general principles OIL
poverpmep ut in the Christian Church.
Serenh: Against the allegation that permanency OF
office is not in happy accordance with the funda;
"mental constitution of Congregationallsm," and
against TIE arguments IN the report mentioning them
in detail. .
Mir. Ravens asked that previous to the action being
taken ON the protest tie statement OF the reasons
which induced the members TO sign the letter to Dr.
Cheeyer recommending his resignation be heard and
the whole subject be acted upon at once.
Mr.. Fly thought that Deacon Wood should have
made motion to receive the protest and enter 1t on
the records, and not make request.
Mr. D. n. Warren said the protest was very respect
full ard he would move its reception, and that 1t be
entered the minutes, and that 1t be referred 10
Committee Of five to make a reply.
Mr.. Fry moved to amend by requiring the Commit
tee TO report the second Monday In September AT
the present time fully third Of the congregation and
the pastor were out Of the city, which he thought was
sufficient reason for the postponement of the report
Will then.
Mr. Wood aaid the signers Of that protest had labor;
ed hard to get ready this meeting and they desired
TO have the matter acted upon at once. He begged
The brethren to consider that they had been tried and
condemned without q hearing, and when their charIc'
ter was thus involved, was it right tina. they should be
compelled to wait six weeks for report Of this Com
mittee
Mr.. 1. p. Warren hoped it might be left to the dis.
erection Ut the Committee as they might be able to get
their r. port sooner than six weeks.
Mr.. Martin said that the protest proposed to
settle tie matter by council. If so, committee
was not necessary. He therefore moved that tue
part of the motion referring to the appointment OF the
Committee be stricken out.
Mr. J. Z. Wsrren urged that the course he suggest
cd was in accordance with usage.
Mr. Chester opposed immediate report OF .ne
Conn ittee. Many wanted to get into the county,
II was not their fault that the brethren occupied n
position they did, and the brethren had taSen uie
to prepare an elaborate protest. ne thongni ne
shCuld have as IN UGH time as was reqIea W Ip .p;,
an answer. He opposed the striking Oh the commit
tee He dersd correct the idea Ca. ih,' brother held
N;ce nv y;obt. Dc.cons were not in ONCE Tor tncn
own good but for the coed Of the church. and by the