The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-05-27
TROUBLES INuaA NEW YORK
-5,;.Is "a CHURCH.

"
Attempted Suppression of Operatlc
Musica.SecularIsm In FashionabIe
ChOIrs. -.5 .r.-
Neg York cOre!pOSdeFses CrEPiseopaRus. /
We regret to learn that serious diff
ferences ofopinion existin Zion Church,
Madison avenue, concerning the right
of the rector, Bishop Southgate, to con-
troll the choir, and suppress what in his
Judgment is slight and unseemly
music, c,"-diferenCes which bid fair to
reach an adjustment only in some of
the courts. The facts of the case as far
as we have been able to ascertain, are
substantially these: Zion Church, as
most Of our readers doubtless are aware,
is located in one of the most fashion,
able districts of the metropolis, and the
rector, unwisely yielding to the popu-
lar craving for sensational music, for
long while had permitted the organ
ist, Mr.. Mora, TO do pretty much in
matters of that kind as he saw fit. How
ever, when that gentleman, last win
ter, undertook the management OF an
Italian opera on Fourteenth street,
some of the more conscientious mem
bers Of'the church thought the Organist
was with more boldness than usual, in
PRODUCING into the service of God airs
which their ears had been previously
" uEdA Ou4y al LI6 F4GAGA
Theatre, and they lost no time in ac-
quaiting the rector with their convic-
ions, Of its impropriety. The Bishop
acknowledged that he was oftheir way
of thinking, and accordingly Mr.. Mora
was notified that. after a certain date
his services would be dispensed with,
The matter was laid before the Yestry
at a meeting held on the 10th of April,
at which time they were also informed
that DR.. Cutler had been engaged to
take Mfr. Mora's place. To the Bishops
surprise, his action was met with a
decided opposition, and on being pnt
of six to five to repudiate his
proceedings and retain the organist.
They mot only denied the right
OF the Bishop, under the canon, to in
terfere in a matter of this kind, but are
said to have LAID stress on the fact that
it was.largely owing to the ornate char
acter of the music Mr.. Mora had given
them, that the handsome sum OF S14 900
was received from pew rents during the
past twelvemonth. Some of them also
opposed DR.. Cutler, on the ground that
he had been identified with the Ritual
istic Innovations at Trinity and st. AL
bans, and that his presence at Zion
Church might have tendency to de-
Yelop their practices there. For the
sake Of peace, the Bishop abandoned
his position, and so far as he is con-
cerned, things are going on as before.
Not SO, however, as respects the two or
ganists. DR., Cutler insists that his APP
pointment by the rector was valid, ac,
cording to canon law, and in this view
he Unsupported by five Of the vestry;
who say they only put up with Mr..
Mora under protest. DR.. Cutler was to
receive $1,000 or $500 per annum as his
salary, payable monthly, and having
presented his bill for the first install
ment to the Bishop, the latter having
no funds, referred him to the Treasurer
who, adhering to the majority of the
vestrymen, declines to honor the draft.
Hence, case for the ecoIesiastica if not
the civil authorities, to determine the
point, whether the rector OF a parish
has or has not absolute control or the
Church music; also, whether majority
of the Vestry can repudiate solemn
contract entered into byrthe pastor.
Your correspondent but recites here
what he has reason to believe are the
simple facts of the case, without ven.
turing to express an opinion, one way
or another, as to the right orzwrong of
the thing, yet indulging the hope that
Whatever the result may be, it will
bring to a full stop the eight and un-
seemly music, y not only in Zion Church
but wherever it is countenanced. s,.,.,