The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-13
Rev. Mr. Hepwor,h and the Church Of the
Mcssiuh.

Rev. Mr. uepworth aud the Church Of the
Messiah.
NEW YORK, Jan. IL, 1871
To THE EDITOR OF THE HRRALD:-
In the HERALD last Monday was an account OK
what took place on Sunday morning at the Church
OF the Messiah plain statement OF the facts will
bring the truth to light. The Rev. George II. Hep
worth OH that occasion stated publicly from o
Christian pulpit that he had been insulted by me.
wish to place the whole facts on which hts charge.
was founded before those who read his statements
III your columns, and 10 ask them TO Judge who
was insulted-he or l. Respectfully yours,
JOHN BABCOOK.
The facts are these:-Mr. Hepworth. AZ o Uni.
tarian was engaged originally to supply our pulpit
Tor the term Of two years. lie declined 10 mako
any engagement for q period longer than that,
stating at the time that after that period he de-
sired either party 20 perfect liberty to tcrmi-
nate the engagement We agreed TO this. His
term OF two years would have expired on Octobcy
last. We let our pews annually the latter
part OF December for the coming calendar
year, ana arrange all the secular bust.
ness OF the church accordingly. in letting
1871 some objected to taxing pews for the
whole year 1871 on the ground that on the 9Th or
October we might be without minister. TO OBJ
viale this objection an oral agreement was then
made with Mr. Hopw0rth that we would CONSIDER
the written contract terminated ana that he should
consider himself pastor OF the church without any
written agreement fhat we understood would be
GOOD for the whole year 1871, the term for which
be and was nxed ana provided for at the
annual meeting early In January OF that
Mr. Hepworth, aud Continued through the year
1871. The salary was fixed for that year Mt $4,000.
the understanding, most clearly expressed In his
sermon ana conversation, that he was Unitarian.
Bnt when ne dsowned anu aorsook the Unitarian
OF church whose iuh he mad deserted ceased.
Our legal obligation ceased also with the year Is71.
Our time to make the engagement for 1877 was
his change Of faith TIL wednesday. January 8. I
Immediately asked him TO state II IN writing. This
written statement OF the fact OF his change was not
delivered to me till saturday, January d. lie had
so carefully concealed his intended -dcsertion OK
our laith from the Board OF Trustees, that he was
upon the point OF commencing new year Of MIN.
obtained the facs by making demand upon him;
the unexpecteJness OF his conduct compelled
sudden acIiop. 1t was feared that Ii permitted TO
preach single Sunday aztec the engagement
expired with the old year, he was capable OF
claiming ms whole salary OF $4,000 Tor that Sunday
service, as We were fully resolved ne should not
preach another sunday In our church, II 1T was in
our power to prevent IL. For The purpose OF pro-
tecting the Church OF the Messiah nom o possible
abillty OF ~ 0OJ salary for services not rendered.
|, as oilical representative of the Board aud under
legal advice, sent nm the following business letter
which he had no right whatsoever TO Introduce in
the pulpit rs ~ related 10 purely secular matters.
But, worse lan nus ne usen Only agarbed sentence
from the letter bout any explanation orits general
character, giving wholly talse Impression OF it5
nature and spirit, a1d threw himself upon the
BYnpaLles VI u promlscuo1s audience, as one who
had been Insul.c,i by me IN stis communicauon, AT
the same tune he suppressed entirely the fact that
had accompanied tie business letter sent INN with
private letter. the character OF which Will appear
when read below, and Which will fully exhbiG the
complete ana willul Misrepresentation OF the dear.
ings oil myself aad the trustees with him.
Tue Official ettey IRON me as President of the
Board, written by my legal adviser:--
DEAR Mr. Hnpworrn As President Of tio sscSnd Con
g,e ationa Unitarian church OF New York, deem 1t my
Il ear
to year. SO that or CONTRACT terminates with the calendar
uay), we fix the rents and able TO determine the
pastor ierminascd win The year
yo f enS S qsw n & Vt sds We have paid
ON account Of annual meeting after the frs,
Bath oa, e PASTOR ser not 1Sf being
time now 70 procure new preacher for Tomorrow. you
M you ps for Sa ce sass Uhe S Ss same
o tue "ans q Of 4 Il 10
morrow the society viii have time 70 engage for the coming
rresdent Board Of Trustees Second Cong g. chursh;N Y
THE personal letter | addressed Mr. Hepwortn,
and which was never answered:-)
NEW YORK, zap. 8, 1872.
Ny ~ psir Mr. note 10 reply 70 mine
p. that YOU aSandoasd the una si
sf' VII make ,oa s and prssss q you
loved ss'I personally 0s ana taken ss
great comfort an!sr your pre,ca myself aean
however painful Il p to me cannot 70 with you upon any
''p' "' p'' ''A" 'p''' s SGHS BzgBc6cx.
and myself as to which insulred the other IN this
transaction. Botn OF the above letters were
delivered at Mr.. Hcpw0rths residence at one time.
lt VIII not be forgotten that nc used hts position on
the single Sunday granted him from courtesy to
maligD Tie whole Unitarian Denomination anu my
self personally. was II JUST gentlemanly or Chris
TAM JOHN BABCOCK.
Jewish Rabbi Offers Up Prayer in rsc
IT.,
The unusual circumstance Of Jewish Rabbi OPEN
Dg the proceedings OF the House OF Representatives
with prayer has attracted unusual amount OF at
tention in political and religious circles HEaALD
reporter yesterday called on Rev. Professor Abraham
De sofa, The Rabbi who OBLIGATED In Washington and
gained some interesting particulars relative to the
occurrence. Mr. De Sofa Is benevolent and intci-
lectual looking old gentleman, but with
q strongly marked Jewish co1ntenancc.
He has charge OF synagogue III
Montreal at present, but originally came from
England me following Is the statement be makes
relative to ms visit TO Washington:
"What originated the idea OF your Offering up
prayerrr inquired the reporter.
"wen, IL had been all arranged previous to MY
arriving by some friends Of civil and religious liberty
who took an interest IN the affair." notably the Hon.
A. L. Solomons, member OF the Legislature from the
District OF Columbia. feel greatly obliged to Rev.
DR.. Butler, who gave way IN my belaif, and also
to Speaker Blanc for me courtesy extended to men
III suppose those OF your own persuasion IN Wash
ington ieel gralIicd that such q privilege has been
granted To You ~
"Oh, yes: very much gratfed; and am very
much pleased myself. There has been considerable
talk over 1t IN the religious circles OF Washington,
and q number OF prominent gentlemen have ex-
pressed to me their satisfaction at the liberation
displayed oy the House OF Representatives. IL Is
unusual for foreigner 10 onica'e IN such way IN
that City, but the fact or Jew oreuIng CHRISTIAN
assembly with prayer - altogether wltaous prccc-
dent.r
"Have you been 10 England recentlyW
"Yes u short time ago.
"Do Jews enjoy as much freedom there as they do
In this country ~
"Well, yes and no. No inasmuch as they nave 10
contribute TO tie support OF au established Church
In v nich they 90 not believe. Yes. for the reason
that there arc lew positions from which they are
deoarred. I mean In q civil point OF view.n
There are no disabilities remaining on the statute
book against members OF your persuasoaW
A,nf~ fhnlI of ufrh Nara M