The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-11
DrssEAsroNs M onURCn.
A Quarrel In which Both Parties sav they
Have the bishop on Their side.

81. Marv's Episcopal Church IN Castlcton,
staten lsllnd. is without a rector, the choice -
ono having resulted III serious disagreement
am ong the church OH 'ials The Rev. II. l.. T..
Pr u. who had been rector for eighteen years,
resigned because Of the dissatsfaction that cN-
ist and was Increasing. II ia 8 Id that several
wealthy families importuned Bishop Pot or for
Mr.. pratts removal Mr.. Pratt was not removed
but resigned voluntarily. The church had de-
clircd In prosperity and was not able 20 pay a
large salary, aud upon the rectors withdrawal,
Commodore william +. Garner. a warden OF the
church and its most Influential member, re-
signed, and went to a neighbortng society
Then the fimilies that had been understood to
oppose MIR. traits preaching and to desire an
exponent of rtualism In the pulpit attended
church and sienined their intention OF renting
pcWs there. Among them were the De kays,
soutcrs. DeaGclds, Baileys, and Congdons.
whether Justly or not, MaIuen piatacap was
| rs heir uiouthpicc In the official meetings OF
| the vestry. The recommendation that welt
| known rtualist minister be called 70 the charge
was believed to spring from them.
Several persons were invited to preach after
Mr. Prats TitRhdTsvs and Iod among them y Ses
| Church, IN BROOKLYN. At meeting OF the vestry
On tie 1871 of Decemper 1t was 9nanltpous-
| vacant pulpit Warden Gratacap, who occu-
| pied the CHAIR started from the room hurriedlv,
| W
| nounced by the clerk. Warden Gratacap aud
those who were with hlm in sentiment de-
AIRED that the call was illegal because of his
| withdrawal MIR, Fitch. when informed OF the
circum tanccs, id that he preferred 90 with
| draw than occasion dis cnsion. The BtshOp was
| appealed to and both parties urge that trey have
| his decision in their .vor. The vestrymcn SAY
| that he verbally declared their action legal, ahl
| warden Gratdcap Is dnle To snow letter III
| which the lisbon expresses an opposite view.
I'm open lunrcl resulted, am the funiiie;
| thrt had announced their intention Of joining
! o. al Informed the. Np-trN through W
| den Grtacap that they had changed then
| MINDS Warden Gtatncap maintained his posi
! ti0n with warmth, saying to the Rev. Mr.. Fitch
| THAI "rather than allow HIN to preach there, ne
would run the church down. stone by stone
! the old locks from the church doors. and uu
new ones IN their s.ead SO that b, no chaLct
| nfsht the Roy. MIR. Fitch enter the edihce.
The Vestry felt thi- tlespiss unpn their prom
| crtv very keeulv, and ordered their clerk to re
move the new locks. restore the GA ones' an.
take possession Of the huiiding. ma this VII
%. bibly bee done when the present bitterness o.
feeling dies away. Stveniy-three person.. IN
| Guiding nearly all the mcmneis of the church
and a few occasional attendants and Others
Who like MI Fitch. Sustain the vesiry.
the quarrel, the resignation that hc offered moi
Church A. a pecutinr one. About TWENTY-FIVE
wears age DR.. samuel Mackenzie Elliott, WI,
WAS one of the largest lnndhoders on tho islar d
erected n cha. 81 ne'r ms house IA tii 1uvlle
! couVer.iug bis wife from her devotion to th
Methodist faith. His children we're instructed
there, and his wife found her wy thcie Ire
Vueutly. GRADUALLY tie little chanel became th'
| SUNDAY resort Of many other families. and IL wa
fu.nd necessary to enlarge it, Or. Elliott orcte'
the '1riet} winch was formed ahiiIe ground 10
! n huildin- ON the shore, hui William Bard
who was then President OF tho tnite'
! States Lie ANA Trust Company. secured the ac
ceptance OF bis offer OF a SITE nall mile inl nd
and there the edificc now sands. urldl. PEG
| nlc said the site given 90 bring his lnlan'
Property INTO value, and this opinion was no
vt:h Inc contractor to lave the stone Oh hi
l., ..ss ..tl and ia mora ut yaI