Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-04-14

The life Of this Old coiered lady has been an
evertful one, and Harriet aosmer adopted
many Of the incidents of her checkered career
in her story some few years ago in the Atlantic
Monthly, called "The Lybian Sybil." AFTER the
old lady finished her speech she was greeted
held quite levee on the platform.
DIR. Snodgrass was the last speaker.
Last evening several residences were iliumi-
mated in honor OF the celebration. Liberty
Hall, at the corner of eth and streets, had
from each Of its twenty-four windows three
Chinese lanterns suspended. The residences of
Duffy, street, between sth and 9Th; Charles
Peters and jas. Poikerty, NJ street, near 18th:
- Bartlett, corner Of 4th and q streets south
east; K II. Booker, 1ith street; 8. Beverly, l.
street, and many in the neighborhood OF 18th
and N streets, were also brilliantly illuminated
The Dinkealty 1T Sc. Jshn's Church.
THE PASTOR AGAINST THE vEsrRY.
Report Of the Committee Of tie Vestry.
n. Michler, Albert Ray, and Samuel v. Miles.
committee OF the vestry Of st. Johns P. T..
Church, to whom the communication of Rev. j.
v. Lewis, the rector Of the parish, comprising
his various protests and pastorals, rejecting
upon the Official action Of the vestry, were re-
ferred for examination and report ON the 10th
the same at the last regular meeting of the yes
adopted.
THE k8CTOR ACCUSED OF BEING UNJUST To THE
vEsTRY. Ia ls.-. e..
The committee IN their report say they con-
ceive that the course pursued by the rector has
been most unjust towards the vestry, and is sub
which should ever exist between its memb ers
and their rector, having for its object the ad-
vancemeut Of the interests OF the parish, and
have, In the judsmsnt Of the committee. .1 Seen
seriously jeopardized by the course pursued by
him. The committee further state, that so Tar
as the action OF the vestry Is concernedits mem
tons 10 the contrary made by the rector, treated
him with due consideration and courtesy, and
have disclaimed any intention or disposition to
interfere with his spiritual prerOgatives, or the
rights and privileges legally vesting in him.
either through usage or the canons OF the
church, and yet, regardless of such disclaimer
ne has persisted in renewing his charges against
In support of their position they refer to the
communication of the vestry OF the 18th of No
yember, 1869, addressed to the parishioners of
September ist Tie facts stated in which so3 Oh
municafion are regarded by the committee as
fully refuting the charges made against the
yesuy.
THE vEsrRY WANTED PEACE
In the communication thus referred to, which
is made part Of the report, ''the vestry deny
that they have, during the past summer or at
ANY Stnss time, set At noSgns every
every protest made by the rector; but, on the
contrary, they have endeayOred, in the dis
charge Of their duty, to conform to his wishes.
which involved expenditures that we did not
feel justified in making, and has never expressed
himself aggrieved to the members of the vestry
CHURCH MUSIC AND THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
In regard to the dficulty with the rector
about the Sunday school, they say -" Mr..
Caulheld was employed to furnish a choir and
play the organ for the regular services of the
church, morning and evening, and not for the
Sunday school. The latter usually CO commenced
one hour previous, and closed at the appointed
hour for the commencement of the evening SER
vice. How the regular evening service, ap-
pointed i'm the prayer book, could break up the
Sunday school, in which the rector seems 80
The rector says, by four years hard work i
had trained my children to praise God; they had
learned to come to Sunday school for tie church
in their name protest against the action of the
vestry.' The vestry hope, for his own sake, that
he does not mean to say the children OF st.
Johns Church were not taught by their parents,
guardians, or teachers, and his predecessors to
praise God and love the church services before
he became their rector The vestry have not
interfered and disclaim any intention to inter
fere with his Sunday school, and he has no legal
or moral right OF authority to protest against
the vestry in the name of said Sunday school,"
THE DIFFICULTY ABOUT THE ALTERATIONS OF
THE CHURCH KDIFICE.
The differences between the rector and vestry
in relation to the alterations Of the church are
reviewed in this communication, of November
iofh, at iengrh, and the closing sentences are as
as well as their importance, the vestry are con-
tent to leave to the judgment Of the parish, as
Ii will be seen that the greater part OF the ex-
pense incurred has been for comfort, while
decent regard for appearance has not been
overlooked. The rector, in conclusion, de-
nounces the alteration Of the chancel as an utter
alteration, as it now is, was but s45. What he
proposed would have cost sc veral thousand. He
asserts That 1t ii is not the thing done so much
as the manner OF doing it, which he submits for
Gave ALTERED With S IN nt
they have treated him with the extreme patience
able to appreciate. These then are the matters
of which our rector has seen fit to make q con-
troversy-oBe which the vestry are forced to be-
with it, and also cannot fail to result to the dis
paragement Of the church and the cause OF re-
ligi0n generally. 1t can hardly be too greatly
deplored: That the vestry has acted otherwise
than with moderation, self-respect, pr0priety
and with other than feeliags Of kindness and
amity towards one whom they would not treat
with injustice, and whom as their pastor and
spiritual adviser they desire 10 look upon with
affection, they leave 1t to the good sense and
discrimination Of the parish to determine.
Signed, Archibald Campbell, N Michler,
VIM. s. Huntington, j. c. Wetmsre, Albert
Ray"
WHY DON'T THE RECTOR RESIGN.
After refereRce to this communication the
COmmittee IN cO2cluSiOn go OH 10 say that they
'further believe. that the course pursued by the
rector has destroyed that unity aud har mony
which once existed In the parish, and without
which there can be no spiritual life or success i'm
its affairs, and are Of the opinion that the pros
perity OF the church, both spiritual and tempo
raj, would be advanced IL he should seek another
field oflabor; for, by his continuing its rector,
1t Is believed that the schism now existing
will continue to increase, resulting in such
division Of the parish Is to mar its usefulness;
and We think, therefore, in view of the facts
stated, and owing to his declaration to the
parish, on the 10th of November last, that he
would resign If the course as pursued by him
was not sustained, even by a large minority; and
having failed to obtain a majority OF the parish
toners then assembled, q sense Of duty, not only
to himself but for the adyancementef the sacred
cause he represents, should induce hin to
tender his resignation, when he can do so
without moon venience to himself and family.
Your committee are Of the opinion that when
a rector knds, in the administration Of the at
fairs OF . parish to which he is called, that the
course pursned by him has resulted in aliena-
ting . portion of his people, and induced q
schism directly in conflict Herewith, and which
cannot be reoonciled, that his only course is to
resign bis position and seek another field Of
labor. Your committee have delayed the pre-
sentatioa OF their report, long since prepared,
In the belief that the gentlemen to whom the
rector entrusted his resignation in blank, on
the 90 -, after the parish meeting held
on the 16th 0f November last would I'M VI IA an