Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-10-02
EVENING STAR.
DOUBLE SHEET.
ANOTHER CHURCH SCANDAL,
The Pastor OF q Baptist Chu reh Asked
40 kesfgn-Nofsy Meeting of the Con.

Another church scandsi, which promises 10
rival in interest those which have lately en-
gagged the attention Of the public, is nov sgt
tstng the religions community Of IN AZ portion
OF Jersey CITY which was formerly known AS
Bergen The church in which the trouble
exists is located on the corner Of Clinton Ani
Baptist Church. Rev. Walter w. Hammond a
Young man OF considerable ability, has been It's
pastor Tor upward of four years, ami be is q
general fAv0rfte with the community On Sun
dsy morning last sn announcement was male
from the pulpit that . meeting of the members
OF the church would be held in the lee .ure- room
on tuesday evening. At the Rppoi ated Il me
the church was filed 10 the utmost CAPACITY
although none but members were admIttei
particular care beiug taken 20 exclude re porters
The me citing was called 10 order BY Mr.. Bow
msD. who acted IS moderator aud sfter PRAYER
by MIR. Bumsted, who invoked blessing upOn
their deliberations, the business commenced.
The moderator snnouncedthst the meeting al
been called 20 consider the resignation Of their
pastor, and asked for report from the com
mlttee. Mr.. Bacon, oh sirmsn Of the committee,
said be had no report 10 make, a. he had been
unable To ascertain why resignation should
be demanded. mir. Spsdone expressed the hope
inst such OF the brethren as knew anything
about the matter would speak out In plain
ulms. he was opposed to throwing out hints
OF iTregulaFity In connection with the pastor
sId hopcd that whatever facts were known
would oe stated publicly, and all insinu atiOns
Stopped. Mr.. Romano desired 20 knaw what
charges had been preferred against the pa.fpr
II any. he was a friend OF Mr.. Hammond hat
II IL could be proved that he was an I'M aron.r
favor Of his removal. Mr. Bosmsn. The MOI
crater, sharply replied that az ,iert yras
kneWn against Mr.. Hammond, and that suy
further inquiry OF discussion was entirely nm
necessary. motion by Mr.. Banstsad, chat
Mr. Hammond be asked IN ne was willing 20
answer such questions A. mi ght be put to hin
Vas voted down almost unanimously. Mr.
Vaudeville remarked that the pastor would be
completely demoralized IL any questions wee
asked him, and that hs tMsudsvilie) wa in
possession of facts which, II he dlVulgei 20 the
public, would degrade Mr.. Hammond. MT
Noble demanded that IL there were auy cia rges
against Mr.. Hammond the trustees should pra-
sc MT them, ana they should be acted up1n sep
arately. Another member made q similar de-
wsDd. Mr.. SPadone offered the following res
OlutlOn:
Rssolred, That we, as trustees of this church.
request the pastor, Walter W. Hammond, 70
Tie resolution was laid on the table. Snd
shortly sfterward Mr.. Hammond, the accused
pastor, who up 70 this period had been sitting
quietly among the audience, rose and addressed
the congregation. After promising III 1T he had
lsbered faithfully for the interest OF tue church
he said the present trouble commenced last
winter on account OF the engagement OF Mrs.
Scott Siddons 20 give an entertainment for the
beneht OF the church. He was Opposed 20 the
entertainment, because he did not think Il
right or proper 20 have dramatic readings IN 4
church, and eNpOstulated with the trustees
AT this point Mr.. Bowman jumped up and, in
an excited manner, exclaimed Eou are liar"
4 ho WAoic thcttihS Was IN an Abf0af At once,
and about twenty members tried 20 speak at the
same time. When order had been restored, Mr..
Hammond continued that he would like 90 be
put on probation for time, and he would try
and do better. He said be was q Young man,
and discharge from the church would be his
ruin. Besides this, the trustees have been in
arrears in his salary for upward OF three year,
and now owe him S2 500, so that be would ROT
care TO resign until that was paid. Mr.. SpadOne
became highly excited al this, and challenged
me pastor TO furnish proof Of his assertion.
Nj FEaF
che meeting adjourned. 1t is probable that the
trustees VIII make an effort TO close the church
doors against Mr.. Hammond, which will be
strenuOusly resisted by his friends.-N L.
TINES, LIST.