The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-01
CHURcH TROUBLE IN YONKERS.
Dema ndinG the Expulsion Of a Membev from
the Wsrburton Avenue BODY.

Dissension exists among the members OF
the warburton Avenue Baptist Church, Yon-
kers, over the case OF Thomas Holman, the
printer at White and Centre streets, In this city
who s member OF the church, and has been IN
trial before the ecclesiastical bar on charge OF
printing Objectionable literature. The warbur-
ton avenue ediuce ls one OF the most elegant and
costly structures OF Its kind In the State. IL was
the gift OF Colgate Il Trevor, the bankers. In
the congregation are many wealthy New York
ers. Mt. Holman. who was once the Superin-
tendent Of the Rev. DR.. Aruiitage's Sunday
school, was arrested In lsT2 by Mr.. Anthony
Comstock, OF the Society for the suppr ssion OF
Vice. Nearly six tons OF stereotype plates from
which the Objectionable books had been printed
were taken from the vaults under his printing
oince. When the case came to trial, Judge suth-
The attention of the Rev. A. J. +. Dehrends,
then pastor Of the Warbur:on Avenue Church,
was called to the subject out action was
taken, by either him or lay members. Mr.. Com
stock kept the case before the public, however,
by describing II In his testimony before the Leg
wrote to the President OF Mr.. Comstock's so
olety denying that be had any knowledge OF tho
character OF the plates that had been seized In
II did no type setting, stereotyping, or proof
reading" said he, "and, therefore. could not
matter OF these plates; and certainly IL was I'M
possible for me 10 know anything Of the char
acter OF the stereotype plates III the vault, not
having seen them or handled them from the
time they we're placed there"
The Presto ent turned this letter over TO Mr.
Comstock, who replied to IL In the WHne0 {: He
was never ried. After waiting more than a
year, i made strenuous Efforts TO have him tried
when II was discovered that the original indlct-
msnt had been made away with and another
substituted, upon book that In no way came
under the law" hr. Comstock would not be-
lieye that Holman knew nothing OF the charac-
ter OF the Looks, alter printing lAI,VO from 1858
to 1872.
part In the business by raidinR on Farrelrs store
la Ann street, where the books were sold.
Among other things found, Homsns bills for
printing one invoice was made out and receipted
by Holman personally, wherein he wrote tltles
which clearly Indicated the character OF the
mir. Farrell, will you obliRe me by looking over
this, and, II all right, send me note at Sixty
days. / propose this because IL may SUIT you TO
money from the bank" Mr.. Comstock held the
opinion that these facts were CONVINCING Mr.
Holman replied In printed circular.
AT the beginning OF this summer the subject
was ted to the W arburton Avenue Church,
Upon their report second committee OF seven
was empowered To determine what course the
church should pursue; ar,n iorlnlTn. tp 9G9 tSs %
purity and honor OF the church demanded ths
withdrawal Of the hand OF fellowship from Mr..
Holman" AT this meeting all except me Il bers
OF the church were excluded; but the members
attended largely. The church was without a
bright, editor Of the Examiner and Chronicle,
member OF the church, took an active part IN
the proceedings. a. r. Decker OF MeBtcOtts .
Express Company, defended Mr.. Holman IN an
address which he read before tho meeting. He
admitted the printing by Mr. Holman, and the
bad ch, racter Of the books; nut he argued
that, at the time Mr.. Holman contracted to PRINT
from the plates In question, printers were rot Ms
careful to examine into the character OF work
as they have been since the strict laws that now
exist nave been enforced. Tho pay which Ho-
man received was very moderAteIonly $3.50
for work done during more than three years
not at all In keeping with the suppOsition that
Holman knew he was taking risk; lie also re-
ferred 10 HolmAn's clear record and long mem
bership The vote on tho question OF expelllng
MI Holman resulted In tho overthrow OF the
motion. Twenty three favored dismissal, and
twenty-four opposed II.
or last " sdnesday night the voters who had
teeu defeated presented TO the church protest
against continuing Holman's memoerhlp
Among those who signed II were Isaac U. John,
son and J. NJ. Bruce, the wealthytyp founnoIs
| eI Attornsy- General Scrlbner, Edward bright
President Frost OF the Continental Lille lnsur'
| Ancs Company, and J. B Trevor, the banker
They asked to have the protest recorded In ths
| books OF the church. but tho request was mol
| granted.
| The tragic eiTects OF fashionable opium eating