The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-04-27

the late DIR. William A. Mnhenbcrg ha'
often been limited NJ, but its full detail,
had never before been published unit
they appeared in the obituary notice 81
the distinguished clergyman and phil
anthrcpist As published il. the last
number II the Lancaster DAD Mtcili-
gcnccr. The engagement Of marriage
I between james Buchanan then young
LAWYER Of Lancaster and the beautiful
Miss Ann Coleman, of that place, was
terminated by the suicide ~ the hapleS-
young lady. because, il j. said, her pa
rents objected 10 the marriage. A SINH
lar attachment existed between her sis
ter. Miss Sarah III. Coleman. and Mr..
Muhlenberg, At that time fifty years
ago rector Of ST. James Church in
Lancaster. Her father, Robert Cole
man. a proud and wealthy citizen II the
town. also objected 10 the marriage. al
though he hadbcen mainly Instrumental
IN calling the Young rector 20 his charge.
His course produced an unpleasant
feeling in the Church. and the congre-
CATION divided into two parties. espous-
ing the cause of the rector and the
naughty father, respectively. While
partisanship was still running high Miss
Coleman died of consumption. as her
parents said. but of 4 broken heart as
believed by most people Of the town.
This sad event but intensified the divi-
sion in the Church. of which Mr.. Cole
man was a leading member, and on
June 10. 1896. Mr. Mnhlcnbcrg COM
municated To the vestry his intention to
resign on account If reasons which il
was unnecessary for him TO state. A
committee of five was appointed 10 con-
fer with him with view "a get him To
reconsider his determination. hut with
thanks for their kindness he declined To
do So in a more lengthy letter. in which
he stated that his course was taken after
due elaboration. and that il was not
necessary for him % enter into details
regarding his motives; he trusted that
they We're pure. and such as he could
think Of with complacency in refer
ence to the great day Of accounts"
At the same meeting a communication
was received from Mr.. Edward Coleman.
brother Of Miss Sarah Coleman. the read
ing Of which was deferred until a future
meeting. On June "a, 1926. the vc-try
received the more pcrcmptory resigna-
ton ~ their rector, dated New York.
June %, and asking thai il be received
1T once. IL was accepted, and the
wardens were instructed 10 draft "A reply
the sorrow Of the Church AT
his resignation. Afterwards. at the same
meeting. the letter II Edward Coleman.
laid over. was read. II an
10 the ye~try that lin the event
Of all connection between the Rev. Mr..
and -. James Church be-
ing dissolved. absolutely and forever. on
or before July /. and not thereafter. the
sum of 5000 (Which. but for circum-
stances not necessary now 10 dwell upon.
would have been left 10 the Church by
our departed sister. Sarah III. Coleman)
will be placed in tn. hands Of the trriS-
tees for the benefit II the Church by her
heirs and legal representatives. +" The
offer was signed by Edward Coleman.
for himself and the other heirs Of his
deceased sister
A committee was appointed 10 inform
Mr.. Coleman that such dissolution Of
the connection between MIR. Muhlenbcrg
and the Church bad taken place. and
the trustees If the Church We're ready to
receive the money. Mr.. James Hopkins
protested against the appointment Of
such a committee. and before the reso-
luton to answer Coleman'~ letter passed
he withdrew from the meeting. Al "A
vcstry meeting held June 30 memoir
Al was presented. signed BY Sarah I
Yeates, Margaret Yeates and Catharinc
ieates. requesting the yestry 10 pas a I
resolution that Mr.. Muhlenberg should \
always be invited 10 preach in II. James
pulpit whenever il was unoccupied.
They said in their letter that thew had
lot had time 70 procure other signers.
lnt they had no doubt this was the wish
4 majority Of the congregation. 10
his the ye-try resolved 10 respectful
y answer that Mr.. Muhlenbcrg would
llwayS have the courtesy shown him
hat other Protestant Episcopal clergy
men received. but they did not think il
necessary 70 pass such an unusual mo-
ion. Against such treatment III Mrs.
nd the Misses lcaies Mr.. Hopkins
gain protested, a. diSrespectful 20 the
nemorialists and diScourteous to Mr..
so the matter seems ID have rested:
at, although Mr.. Muhlenberg often
fterward preached in the church, he al
rays stood in the chancel, and never |.
gain occupied the pulpit. The 5000
1T was accepted and paid. the commit
e appointed to confer with Mr.. Cole
IAN reporting that in the prosecution ~
leir labors they had encountered grave
iiliculties, :. brsy-bodies and tale-bear--
r had infused an acrimony into the I'M
'rtunate business which otherwise II
onld not have partakcn off, The ]
had endcavorcd 10 aSSuage !
rs, and hoped that it, asperitics would !
softcned, but they had only measnr-
BY succeeded, and a condition q strife