The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-22
CHURCH TROUBLES.

Dissrnceful Scenes in n House of Worship
Serious Difficulty Between Rector and his
Vestrymen.
recent number of the Chicago Tribune has the
following:-
There occurred last Sunday morniag in the
Church of the Atonement, scene which was Pc
culiarly out Of place in any building dedicated to
Divine worship, and which no one would look for as
likely to happen in an Episcopal church. 1t was a
quarrel between vestrymen and rector conducted in
the church ITSELF in the presence of large congre-
gation and marked by tumut, passion, and evil
feelings generally seen only In heated political
For nearly year the Rev. o. B. Thayer, once
Methodist preacher at Sterling, In this State, has
satisfaction of some and the profound displeasnre
OF others.
During his recent absence of several weeks
vestry meeting was held at which seven out of ten
were present. BY vote OF five to two, resolutions
were passed requesting the wardens to invite the
reverend gentleman to resign by the Sth OF Septem-
Der, and in case he did not accept the situation to
on Sunday morning the church was full. Success
full efforts had been made by the rectors friends to
gather up all the members of the congregation.
After the service and sermon were at an end the
rector stepped forward, and after requesting those
present to remain went on to say that his return
he had received copy OF certain resolutions which
he read. Had this been an unanimous wish he GER
tainy should have at once acceded to It, 1t not
church if his services unacceptable; but these
resolutions had been passed during his Absence and
at meeting from which the vestrymen who were
opposed to them were absent. Five were for aud
five against them. 1t was his belief, furthermore
that the great majority of the congregation were in
favor Of his remaining, and he was perfectly willing
to leave it to their decision They knew what he had
done for the church; how weak 1t was when he be-
gan and how strong at the present moment He
therefore, desired all OF the congregation who were
in favor OF his staying to RISE
The rector began his remarks with his temper un-
der CONTROL but towards the close Of them his pas
sions got the better OF him. He was pale with &c,
and his voice trembed.
No sooner had he called upon the congregation to
rise than several OF the vestrymen who had sup
ported the resolutions, and among them Mr. Strid-
iron sprang to their feet, and began talking, de-
nouncng the clergymans course with great vehe-
mence. He had obtained the resolutions in an i'm
proper way. They were not as yet subjects for OIL
cial action. 1t was highly improper for him TO bring
them up such occasion. His course in calling
the congregation to vote was revolutionary aud
Illegal. 1t was neither the day, hour, place for
anything OF the kind. There were many persons
there who were not members OF the church, and
there could be ne fair expression Of opni IN OBJ
tanned.
Friends of the rector also rose and expressed
their desire for VOTE and called on the congrega-
ton to rise. The church was full They could
never get many together again, and that was pre-
cisely the time at which to see what the people
thought
Some persons rose and others remained in theiI
seats. The speakers on both sides gesticuated and
talked at once. Some struck their canes against
their hands, and declared, in angry and passionate
voices, there should be vote. Others equally
cited, asserted that there should. The church was
filed with noise and confusion, and the puzzled peo
pie did not know what to do. Finally, Mr.. SridiroL
and another vestryman ordered the people TO leave
| little knots on the sidewalk The verbal contest
was renewed there, and both sides said their say
again, but dispersed at last without effecting any
| thing.
| on Sunday evening Mr.. Thayer preached, but nc
| reference was made to the events OF the morning
1t is sincerely to be hoped that the matter will b
| amicably adjusted, and that no additional elemen
of discord will trouble the peace of the Episcopa
! Church in this city.