Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-04-23
The Difficulty in the Congregational
Church.

a meeting OF the memDeT8 OF the klrSt Cons
greeational Church, corner OF 10th and q
streets. was held At the church last evening, to
consider the proposed measures to secure peace
and harmony in the church.
DIR. Barber SAID, for the past two years the
church had been distracted by the agitation of
questions which had impeded the progress OF
the church, and divided the congregation in
feeling. 1t had BEEN evident for a lorg time
was q separation of the elements OF discord.
Both the financial and spiritual interests Of the
church had suffered; in fact. the whole country
had been agitated by the trout les which existed
in the church, and in Q spirit Of Christian cour.
tesy he thought the time had now arrived when
a division should be made-one partv 10 70
forward with this church, and the other TO
start an enterprise Of their own. The d,asro
ences existing between them, instead of becom.
ing less, had grown larger. He thooeht the
ACTON OF the society a: the last meeting was
warranted, and poisoned arrow had been
thrown into the church, instead Of an EFFORT to
restore harmony.
General o. o. Howard directed to any de.
nunciaton OF the society.
DIR. Barber thought the society might have
purs a different course and perhaps there
would nave been no necessity for this meeting.
He could not resist the conviction thst the time
mad now arrived when they must separate.
Rev. Samuel Russell loved the church ar d
prayed for It He had dear friends on DO b
sldes and the very thought of separation caused
d heart TO bleed. He had hoped 10 see this a
Meirop olItan church. spreading its influence
throughout the land. and he feared II a separa-
ton took place both branches would die.
MIR. - II. Hodges thought all understood the
questions, that the meeting had Seen called TO
settle. and he hoped they would De determined
with as little debate possible. He woutd
acqUlesce In the will OF the majority, aud
noped no discussion would be has. because II II
should be opened business would rot be trans
acted.
DIR. Boynton (the PASTOR concurred in the
views Of Mr.. Hodges. The result o. this meet
: n no oh ~hn~ -.
IN after years and say that everything was
nducted peaceably. This meeting should be
conducted so that the country would say the
congregation acted as Christians. In order to
prepare the way he proposed step which
would relieve them from all embarrassment
II had often oeen said that be stood in the v-ay
OF union in the Church, but had ALWAYS said il
the two parties could unite without him ne
would get ont of the way. He was sorry 10
say that all In the Church were not his friends.
Tor ne feared some Were not. II would be a
difflcuf matter for him 70 remain as pastor OF
the Church if the congregation should sanction
the action OF the Society, and he therefore ten.
dered his resignation. 10 take effect on the 1st of
May next and he desired them 10 understand
that II would not be withdrawn.
Dr. Barber moved that the resignation be ac-
cepted.
The question was put by Deacon Hodges,
and the resignation unanimously accepted.
Dr. Boynton said he would not ask for a
council, as the same council which installed o
new pastor could act upon his resignation, and
as all parties Were satisfied there would be no
trouble.
Mr.. James S. Delano then presented a peti.
ton signed oy large numoer of members, re.
questlng that letters OF dismissal be issued
by the church for the purpose OF forr,ns
was signed by A. L Sturtevant, Susan A. Stur!
tevant, james 3. Delano, Elmira 5. Delauo
Julia G. Baker, A. J. Downing, Sarah A.'w
H. A. Brewster, p. L. Brewster, n b. Bartlett,
e. II. Bartlett, E NJ. Burchard, NJ. L. Moul-
throp, L. A. Bartlett, Thomas p. Keene. Mary
T. keene, r: NJ: Biselow. Mary B. Moore, Il.
u. Moore, ) &. Hotchkiss, H. q. Hotchkiss,
Maria Boynton, Mary Boynton. A. H. Ray
mond, Mrs. Raymond, ]. q. Kimball, Mrs
kimball, Chas. p. RUSSELL, Louisa r. Russell,
ley, E. 4: Longlsy, y. J. Longley, S. q. Spen.
Ger, Sailie J. Spencer, E. Hsltzlander. E. F.
Hoitzlander. Nv: Rumsey, NJ. A. Rum.ey,
stevens, Mrs. @. s. Stevens, II. Barber, Mrs. r
9. Barber, s. Moulthrop, s. H. Moulthrop, G..
F. Needham, Julia Needham. F. ]. Needham
s. b. Morse. G. w. Morse, Geo. H. Cooper.
w heat. A. g. NJ. Provost. s. NJ. Provost, C.S
Nation, NJ. w. Nation, B. NJ. Barker M
Z Barker, Charles Lyman. Amelia b LYMAN,
T. HODGES. Mrs: A Hodges. Maria A. Sietson,
D. NJ Kelsey, Mrs A. NJ. Kelsey. Miss L. s
Hall, Mrs. Mary E Moore, Samuel Harris,
Sarah H Harris. f. q. Packard, T.. G. SID.
more. Mrs. Cornish. T. w. White and wife,
Mrs. A. W. Howard. J: Q. Stuart, Mrs. Abb.
gail Smith, Fannie N. Gilbert, X. q. Whitman,
l. Whitman, s H. Goodman, K. NJ Stevens,
Mrs M. u. Stevens, Charles Faxon, E. e
Mrs. L. M. French. VIM. q. Moores. Mary j.
Hloores, George H. Read. Walter H. Whlttien.
Truman w. White, and Hannah VI White.
Rev. j; w. Alvord inquired if all the sigma.
lures 70 the petition we're genuine.
Several voices-s.Of course"
Gen U. y. Howard thought the course pur-
sued this evening SO commendable that both
parties should mutually pray and instantly
pray for the blessing Of Almighty Goo upop
each party. He did not doubt that two
churches would be established here which
reyolutionize public sentiment in this place,
and in the course Of time spread through the
entire Southern country.
DIR. BoyEton was glad that the action had
been harmonious, and he hoped that both
The past should be forgotten, and every eff.
tort made TO promote each others interest He
then referred to the Bible and the commu.
MON service which had been presented to him,
and hoped he would be allowed TO take them,
as he priced them highly a. q present
granted.
On motion Of Gen. Howard, letters of dis.
missal were granted TO those who applied.
Rev. Nj. Russell said he would make both
churches the object of his prayer, as he was
glar that the meeting had been held without
any quarrels.
Mr. James Gilfllen, the Clerk. rendered his
resignation, to take effect al the next meeting,
and II was accepted The meeting then ad.
bers was called Immediately, DIR. Boyrton was
chosen moderator, and James Gilfiilen clerk
Mr.. Sturtevant offered q resolution providing
that j. w. Rumsey. Hiram Barber, H. c. Spen.
Ger and James S. Delano be appointed as a
Board Of Trustees to act In the name of the
new church, and procure a suitab BILE place OF
worship, provide for pastors salary when
chosen, and the current expenses of the church
and make their report AZ the first meeting 10
July. The resolution was adopted and the
meeting adjourned.