The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-04
A PASTORS CONFESSIONS.
AN UvExPEtfED ANNOUNCEMENT
BEFORE 4 PRESBYTERY.

bEEOhE n MES ~ En-
The Rev. MIR. Patterson. Of Elizabeth, Ad-
mittins that some of the ely stories Told
about him are True. vet Not Guilty Of All.
The Presbytery OF Elizabeth in West
field yesterday considered the case Of the Rev. J.
u. Patterson, pastor OF the Second Presbyterian
Church, OF Elizabeth. Mr.. Patterson went to
Elizabeth ten years ago. He Ia good and en-
Client preacher, and pleasant, scholarly man,
and though from time TO time there rumors
| regarding his intemperate and immoral habits,
1t was not shown that they had any foundation,
and he became very popular. He has been mar
ried some time and has a family, and there was
a natural disinclnation to prefer any serious
charge against him. But about two months ago
the rumors concerning him began to assume
shape. IL was alleged that he had been seen
| drunk In a railroad car, and again at n picnic
| near Elizabeth. There were reports, too, far
more damaging regarding his morality. and In
Guiding some Of tho women members Of his
church In the scandal Mr.. Patterson pro-
nounced the stories about him false and sour
rilous, and his friends sustained him In his
denial. Nevertheless, he believed that the
| Interests OF the church must be best served
| by his retiring from its ministry and he signi-
ned his intention ~ laying his resignation be-
fore the Presbytefv at Its meeting yesterday.
Three commissioners. Messrs. Ross. Crane,
and Halsey were appointed by the church to
attend the meeting Of the Presbytery. aud yes
| terday the Rev j. Is Paterson sat alone In
ne d. 's" :" '"' i's''' 's''A" 0""''" ~
At the opening Of the afternoon session he
asked leave to speak. The members OF the
| PfesOytery. he said, must have heard somt thing
about the rumors prevalent In Elizabeth for
weeks past concerning the misconduct OF the
pastor OF the Second Presbyterian Church. The
stories began to be circulated, as near as lie
gust, while he was away from his psstorate. On
his return he adopted what he believed to he tho
only many course open to him-ne applied for
| leave OF absence for two weeks to enable the
elders 10 investigate the On rees.
And now. BRETHREN" MIR. Patterson contn-
saddest, probably, that have ever experienced.
As for the charges, they are, confess, In great
measure true. have only to cast myself upon
| your sympathy, ana to ask you to pray for me.
| have suffered 40 much during the past few
weeks that have hardly been aole to sleep at
| nights. thinking oil the great wrong Of which |
have been gully. IL you desire IT, will, at any
time you choose, be more specific In my con-
| fessiOn. giving dates and circumstances hope,
however, to be spared THIS and that you will &c.
cept my resignation, which tender you, and
| let me 60, VITA your prayers."
| MIR. Patterson spoke nrmly and without hest
| tation throughout, Win seeming eaRerness to
get through. lie seemed, however. TO feel his
| position keenly and when he sat down. after
max ing bis confession. he buried his face In his
hands.
| A minute Of rofound silence followed, as the
psstors prayed silently. Then the Moderator,
the Rev. Mr.. Blsuvelt, asked whether the COM
mittee from the church was there, and Messrs.
Ross, Crane, and Hawiey went forward. MIR.
Ross was ABOUT to address the Presbytery. but
Mt. Pat erson arose again, with his face some
what flushed. He was ANXIOUS to correct a
wrong Impression. TIE charges az ainst hin, he
said, embraced not only intoxication. but I'm
morality with the women Of hts church. The
latter was utterly false, and without a particle
OF founda ion; the former, he grieSed TO say
was true.
Mir. Koss, OF the church committee. In behalf
OF hts pastor said ne had traced many Of toe
charges made againsl hun, and found them en-
tirely grOundless. He beneved not a word Of
tue stories about air. Pattersou's Immoral rel.-
/ lima "a AT add aA
connected tue names Of members OF his (Nir.
Ross's) own family with that Of the accused
munster.
Mr.. Crane then read the resolutions adopted
by the church. The first was to request the
Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral connection
ofMr. Patterson, and the second to leave the ell
tire matter to the Judgment Of the Presbytery:
hrst. Mr.. Crane sad that fully two-thlrds
Of the congregation desired TO retain
Mr.. Patterson as their pastor. when drew
from the Rev. DIR. Bauvelt AN inquiry AS 10 how
It happened that two thirds desired him to re-
main. wh,lea mat rity had voted for the adop-
ton u a resolution requesting tue Presbyteiy
TO accept his resignatiOn.
Mr. Crane referred To the second resolution,
WHEREBY ey' rythiug WAS left to the Judgment
Of the rresbytefy. lie spoke at some length In
favor OF retaining NJ. Patters On, and OF tue dan
ger OF oeohns severely with INN.
hr haisey, tne third church commissioner,
foilowed. lie, TOO. MS DISPOSED t. allow The
accused mi isler To retain his pastOrate. For
the pas eight yesIs. he sand stories mad been
a. circulation ia liz tDetn ia rotation to Mr.
Patterson. out he ueiieyeu there was no trutn
Ia theu. II >r PattersOu's connection Win
tue church Mas dis-t lved he must 20 out with
all The udium uf these rumors upuu hin, and
no opportunity u proving us innocence.
DT. Blluyeit SAID there vas Only Que course Tor
the Presbytery TO pursue. lie WIS as de iruus
81 sptiug Ar. Paterson IS any Que could be,
out tue D. ~ resolution iHoicated beyond III
doubt that pastor ana people DOtn agreed that
the connection between them should he uis-
solved. Al inyestlgatlun VI the charges must OF
course, Oe haJ obo II the Second Presbyterian
CuLrcu then saw NJ 1t ntsnt TcCah Mr.. l. tterson
And vino knoWs," added Dr. BlAuvelt, " cut,
in TIE proylosuce Of God, he may he 30 rec He'd
aud. beginning new ministerial life, ear hini-
self lr,epro tchaDIy hereafter: cut tue urst rt-p
for To to AXE 4 70 giaut tue request vi DOtn
pastor aud people"
Dr. Rankin said lie WIS not at all satisfied
WIN Mr.. PatietsOn's confession. IL was exceed
ingly yasue, and lacked my tnlng ike specilca-
tlOns.
MI. Patterson repeated his assurance that
was ready TO specify as to dates and place, aud
Dr. Rankin mnVed ne APP ointment ~ CONF
nl,tee uf three ministers and TWO elders 10
consider hr. PattersOh's c-se, ana report upon
II To tue Pres, ytery.
DR.. Blauyelt opposed the motion as not being
provided mat wnen people and pastor were
agreed - u "a dissolution OF r, latIOnshlp,
frtsbyteTy should dissolve n. He was not at
oil moved by the appe. OF his elder, man fuzzy
hs old as himself, ~ a. are hT. Patterson, out
DIR. hankins motion prevailed, AID tie MOder-
atOr b instructed to appoint committee To