New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-19

A METHODIST SCANDAL THREATENED.
THE MANAGERS OF THE SEA CLIFF CAMP-MEETING
ASSOCIATION CHARGED WITH SHARP PRACTICE
IN DEALING WITH THE BEUIAH MISSION.
An unfortunate scandal which threatens to
involve the regulations Of certain prominent men who
hold official positions in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
recently been leading topic OF conversation in the
religious and social circles in which the persons inter
ssted are known. Serious charges have been brought
Hgainst the society known The Sea Cliff CampMeet-
Ing Metropolitan Association" by well known ladies
OF wealth who interested certain benevolent labors
OF city. In November 1871, Mrs Elizabeth Langdon,
asso, with Mrs Amira Losee, founded home for
she neglected children Of the Seventh Ward, at the old
Rutgers mansion. in MoDroe-st. In connection there
with was institution known the Beulah Mission
and Home for the Aged" situated at Beuah formerly
Thomson Station the Long Island Railroad, 40 miles
from NewYOrk IL the intention Of the managers TO
make the Mission sesusainng by the sale OF lots from
the tract of land owned by them. A large number OF
lots sold by Them and the settlement prom
ised 10 become thriving village. When the enterprise
appeared 10 he successful the managers of the Mission
were visited by persons representing the SeaClif
Association. who advised them TO transfer the Home 10
Sea CHI urging among other reasons that the institu
ton wOud I've New-YOrk, and more accessible,
while being contiguous the camp ground, II would be-
come more extensively known. and the railroad fare
would be essened Tue seaClfG Association offered TO
transfer the ladies conducting the Mission ca Of
uninprnVed land miles from NewYOrk, for $s4 Geo.
taking 6Sl OF land at Beuah, with the Mission
bndngs in part payment 1t is claimed that the AssO
made profit of s5l OoO though they asserted
that the exchange was effected because the land
Nv used for benevolent purposes. An agreement
drawn NJ. but the ladies objected to several
clauses when u read 10 them, and were assured
that II was only a crude memorandum, "just to keep
things IN shape" The deed, they told, would be
made right Misled by this statement as they assert
the agreement signed. Soon afterward the ladies
discovered that there mortgage of $4,000 the
property Sc, 900 Of IL beng due Immediately This they
Allege was studously and carefully concealed from
them Furthermore. 10 is claimed by competent legal
authorities that the written agreement instead OF being
crude production, is strong, shrewd, legal document
The ladies coupled the coneealment of the mortgage
suspicious Of sharp practice and refused to sign the
deed when it was presented After considerable
controversy it mutually agreed that all
previous action should be rescnded and the proposed
exchange abandoned. The managers OF the Sea Cliff
Association retained possession Of the original
ment and although they had promised TO abandon the
project, secretly placed the document file at the
County Clerks Office at Rverhead. Previous TO the dis
agreement the lot owners at Beulah heaRng the pro-
posed change Of bsse demurred 10 the ae The Beuah
managers decided 10 buy back the lots from all who
~ere dissatisfied, paying the original price, with the
accrued interest, the Sea Cliff Company having lent
them $500 for this purpose before negotiations were
broken of.
Legal proceedings have been instituted against the
Sea Cliff Association 10 cancel the agreement filed with
fhe County Clerk and TO recover $4,000 The trial will
lake place early day In the Superior Court The
Sea Clif Association have made counter claim for
OO asserting their right 10 the Beulah property,
have forbidden the tenants to make any payments TO
me lass Of the institution 1t is understood that the
negotiations in behalf Of the Sea Cliff Association for
sae and transfer of the property were conducted by
the Rev. w. H. Du Puy, d. D., assistant editor OF The
CAriSh0n Adeoeate and L. Battersha the President Of
the Association. The ladies have engaged Chauncey
shaer counsel, and owing to the prominent position
which the htgants occupy in the church the trial is
booked forward with great interest by those familiar
with the case. we-kDown lawyer says that there
viii be sharp contest rivalnR in interest and bitter
nees the Book Concern controversy.