The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-01
A PASTOR ELECTED.
A Universalist Pastor Wants To
Be "Arbitrated."
CURIOUS SCENE.

excitement The circumstances which led 20 II were
thesc:-In September last Mr.. Sweetscr. the
regular pastor. by reason OF III health. was
compelled 10 travel abroad. The church
tered into negotiations with Rev. Charles p. Nc
Carthy English clergyman. and they resulted In
his being engaged under certain conditions temporary
pastor OF the church. position which he up TIL yester
day continued to I'LL The usual preliminary exercises
having been gone through WITH Mr. Mccarthy said that
there could not DO found any better creed than the
hymn that had just been sung, ASHAMED OF Jesus.
Christ he said, had Himself been witness to life alter
death tho fact OF the resurrection, and Christ
havc told the truth there could be uncertainty
about future lfc Tho preachers voice was trem-
bling, and Il evident that he making an in
tense effort to control himself said:-.'Physicay
to-day have but little strength have bsea robbed
my sleep for several nights in sitting with SICK
child. This will probably be the last time with the
exception of this evening" that Will have opportu-
nlty address this congregation, and want 10 say
that am but human there may be many things
for which l ought TO ask your pardon.
But understand me that I dc not ask
forgiveness for wful wrong for conscious Of
having committed any. But my position now is such
peculiar that am compelled to speak tho truth
boldly.
Mr. Mccarthy then boldly asserted that this was the
third church he has been pastor OF since no embraced
upversalism and that in each no bad found IN skei
eton OF inGdciity hidden away in cupboard He
charged them with fostering It, and claimed that IN no
other denomination there less excuse for H. In
passionate manner he appealed to them to preserve
their creed il they hoped for Gods blessing on the
church.
CHURCH OK EVERY ccRxHk.
In regard to the probability OF his getting another
church. lie told them how, when he FIRST to this
country, be, on one Sunday morning, went into the
Of Philadelphia and preached TO congregation
of 15C0 There Is q congregation for me on every
street Woe is me ir do not preach the Cos
pei have not chosen any text this morning other
than the creed Of your church, and charge you
again solemnly to be 70 It. hold the skeleton by
the throat and am notthe man to let 60 Of it,. Mr..
Mccarthy read the creed by articles, commenting
he went along He said some in the congregation were
dissatisfied only OF his doctrina preaching $50
help God" said he, for nothing else" You i'm
patient Of doctrinal teaching You suspected and
charged with fostering intdelty and u Is your own
fault. There many other things could point out
to you but my time Is limited so will read the state
mcnt before referred to-
McARrYy's STATEMENT
AS various Interpretations have gained crcdence
concerning my withdrawal from the temporary pastor
ship Of this church before the return OF its regular
pastor from Europe, sense Of duty TO myself and the
church mpels mo TO make the following statement Of
facts IL entered into engagement with this church
In September Of last year. through It's Board OF Trustees
u
until return oil its regular pastor from Europe,
which expected in this year and about Easter but
particular date of his In the year would
entirely depend the state OF his health and tho
progress he able to mako in his journey. IL was
also agreed that in the event Of accepting call to
permanent pastor 70 another church should
be permitted TO leave before the time named On the
fnith OF this engagements removed my family and
household furniture from Albany my present resi-
deuce Mt q cost 5000 THIS expense, supposing
nv time here had been Tor twelve months which was
fha ono puept AL ms To ma
Gcncy regular would have practi
cally reduced my salary to $4,000 That Is $500 less
many have supposed in receipt OF the
salary that which tue absent pastor had been
receiving Six weeks ago tho chairman OF the Board OF
Trustees announced to me that the board had deter
mined to discontinue my services. l demonstrated
with HIM and, as tar as could Tor was taken by sur
prise, pointed out the injustice OF such course
After he had further consulted with the board II
TO pcrcnptory decision that my official connection
with the church should the last day OF April
! informed that this uecision was fixed and final
and that tho for II was not In any degree Of
personal nature toward but SIMPLY In the interests
Of the church and because some persons (no names
having been givenl threatened the board that they
would not retake their snlngs from the LIST May
continued TO otlciae. l could ind whether
these threats had arisen IRON individual members of
the board whom knew TO be decidedly antagonistc
the definite position which nad taken in the pulpit
AMI nj the Conference meetings and private
saton with the members Of the church the verites
cicty outside the Board OF Trustees But had fully
satisfied myself from facts within my own knowledge
(or can call il by other name, and
AccEPr THE PERSONAL REPRoAcH
1t brings, with tho cause Of IT'S infc,ion nttached)
was because OF tho decided and positive tonc
of my teaching in my sermons on 'Thc inspiration
Of the SCRIPTURES" '.lhc Bible aud the School
Question" ''rhe Degenerate Character Of Commercial
Enterprise ..The Divine Nature OF Christi 1.-The
Truth Of The Bible Miracles and my openly avowcd
opiuon that no man. however pure and moral in his
HE, who doubted discredted the fact OF Christ's
resurrection and the existence Of future life after
death ut teacher within any Christian church;
Ia xtull
me or nine, even though stand alone, and
yet not alone, for God is with Having sats-
lied myself that the determination OF the Board was
nilexibe declined them us do now, violent collision
therefore, In obedience to It's authority and under
protest, delivered the notice required Of me-that
this days services would close my public illustrations
as the pastor here. ! regret that this obedience
rendered to the ecclesiastical authority OF this church
in the management OF lis public services should
have been construed into a consent on my
part TO the injustice inflicted upon me. II WINS rot
in the smallest degree consent, but on my part
MISSION with decided protest against injustice and
compulsion the part OF the Board in the
exercise Of its jurisdiction over the conduct of these
services On learning that at least member Of tho
Board had stated that my dismissal was because the
people required II on account Of my preaching at
demanded meeting OF tue society for the purpose
OF setting the whole question. This demand was
specially submitted fortnight ago and suUscque ntly
rendered in writing II has under the considera-
OF the trustees and they have deferred upon
/ it
ARBITRATION SUGGESTED
Since then under the and experienced nd-ice OF
prominent brother minister. and IN the interests
peaceful solution OF the difficulty, have submitted as
substitute Tor society meeting the following PROPOSE
ton, namely, that the whole question Of disagreement
should to submitted to tho arbitration OF three
brethren TO be appointed outside of the conflicting
parties and the following meihod:-0nc by the
Board ono by myself. and these 70 appoint one
court OF arbitration the decision OF which should
be nnal and binding upon all concerned
The inquiry would then become simple one and
could be reduced substantially the following points
OF Investigation:
l. Am /, as contend taking into account the ar
ranecment made with me and the position gwen mo
legal pastor OF this church,
H. Has the Board Of Trustees Jurisdiction according
10 tho society's constitution summararily 10 dismiss
me pastor without the sanction Of the society?
Ill 1.-THE Board possesses this authority has been
justly IN accordance the agreement
entered into by the parties concerncds
W. Finally, what compensation, any, Is the pastor
Justly entitled TO receiver
In closing this statement desire II TO DO particularly
understood that IN withdrawing from the public excr-
OF my Official duties Ia this church day under
compulsion, am SIMPLY the interests OF peace and
protest. submitting 10 the exercise OF "a author
a. hal I'M r.cflft