The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-18
. A SPIRITED MEETING.
TROUBLE nv Z ro11sn Do SAINT rspmr-nHy,

TRoUBIs m Il EaIIsE do sAIEr EsPKT-RBv
N. PoEs' DOUBTED CREDENTIALS.
At present pOlemica 40 not engage the minds
and tongues OF the members OF the congregation
OF L. Egllse du ST. Esprit. which is situated In
Twenty second street. near Filtn avenue. Matters
having secular bearing, ana even leaning to-
ward violations or the doctrine Of s'gra0e, mercy
and peaeen TO all men. employ them. The church
l. In an eruptive stale, and It's probationary pas
tor seems TO be balancing himself on the summit
or piar or nery matter which Is coming out OF
the new made volcano. The en- urch IN which these
things are happening OF the Oldest religious
Establishments IN this city. IL was founded more
than one hundred years ago by o congrega-
tiUn OF French Huguenots, and mas BY
degrees attained very good position in relation
TO its treasury. Attached to 1t IS very comlorta-
Die parsonage, which has not been occupied for
about year SINCE its venerable rector, Dr. YER
rem, died. For several months after the death OF
DR.. Verren the guardians vestrymen or the
church were unable to supply his place perma;
nently. Finally hey advertised for an eceeslastc
ht 10 be their director toward the heavenly way,
and received In reply to their call on application
sent by the Rev. Leon Pons. TINS was IN Octo-
Der, 1874 N. Pons presented TO the vestrymen
ceruncates stating that he had been ct one time
priest in Ihe Roman Catholic Onnrch, but had
renowned the errors OF Roman theology, married
and entered the Episcopal Ohurcn, In which he
had been ordained priest by Bishop Doane, OF
Albany. He also presented to the vestry men
the document which had induced the prelate to
Ordain him. After some negotiations M. POns was
accepted as the pastor on probation OF the Church
OF 81. Esprit He was not admitted to live in the
rectory, however but took up his residence at No.
81 East Thirty-d first street. lie has always on
cIated very acceptaby to the majority OF the
members OF hls congregation; but there have
been few OF Them who, have thought that he
cared more for his salary than TO benefit the
church. These lew persons have never been con-
tent to accept M. Pons' accounts OF himself, but
have busted themselves to discover whether or
not his certificates recited the truth The results
OF their inquiries have not pleased them. They
could learn nothing definite against their pastor,
but we're yet unwilling 10 accept oil the good
things which he said OF himself ana which his
documents corroboraCed. Sul, Jney IN no wlse
disturbed M. Pons, and eyerythl NC seemed to
tend toward placing him permanently m the post
day night Then occurred meeting OF the mem
hers OF the congregation for Inc election OF NJ
Pons TO the rectoTship or his definite rejection
Ii was believed by mis- friends that he would be
chosen without dissent put the event showed
then that they had deceived themselves Before
the question was put to the congregation N. Bur-
nier, an old gentleman VINO has been connected
with L'Egllse de st. Esprit Tor many years, ose,
ana asked leave TO make o few remarks before the
election began. He was given the PERMISSION ne
asked and then remarked that an what ne had TO
say was personal TO M Pons. it would be well Tor
Inc reverend gentleman 70 leave tne chapel. NJ.
Pons. therefore, left his seat and retired 20
the rear part OF the room, put Ola no. leave IL.
NJ. BURNER then, putting his hands behind his
back and leaning upon . coiumn, be- an his
remarks During their course ne said mat no
was not satisfied that The documents which NJ.
Pons had presented 10 the vestry men were genu-
ine and EXPRESSED severai other things. BY I'm.
the rectorsh,p. In conclusion ne said that
uatIl N. Pons presented yerinsd documents
sU oS mat "0u case oppose PENS ms
Was elected TO the rectorship before giving
him" NJ, Poos neard the remarks or M. BURNER,
and was very much agitated by them. Before his
trends had recovered rom the surprise iato
winch they were thrown by the speecn ne walked
rapidly nom mis- position at tne side VI the organ
az me rear OF the room to where M. Burnier
dishonest. You are q liar lIarp As II seemed
A. II N. Pons would strike NJ. BURNER mis- trends
Induced nlm 10 leave the chapel In the midst OF
the excitement Nine. Pons. the VIE OF
aDout his mack, crying Leon, Leonp When sne
Was taken away from her husband, IL Ia said py
some OF the spectators she advanced furlously
II she had NOT been prevented. Nine, Pons, how
ever, oenied 10 the writer t1at either she or her
sne said that sne ielt indignant ~ the assault
which had been made upon her husband. out had
N. Pons must have been made OF marble TO endure
silently tue aspersions which mad been thrown
cItement in inc meeting except such As was pro-
Guced by the Indignation OF many the menu
bers OF tue church at the remarks OF N. BURNER.
The meeting was adjourned amer tae sensa-
uOnal scene ana the election or rejection oil N.
tue fioly Spirit was deferred until next week.
Prom nat could be learned yesterday 10 appears
That there are three parties In the agitated con
Pons, another very small one, made no Of persons
opposed 70 him, and third whose constituents
jected.