The New York herald., 1877-02-06
THE COLLEGIATE CHURCH.

WANT OF HARMONY IN THE CoSsIsroRY-DR.
LUDLow's POSITION IN REGARD TO rT--uH
Is SUSTAINED BY HIS CONGREGATION.
Rumors OF various sorts having bcen abroad Of late
regard a disturbance in the usual harmony which
cxists between the people and the consstory Of the
Collegiate church. consisting OF the three congrcga
which worship in Lafayette place, Fourth
street; Fifth avenue, Twcntyninth street, and
Forty-eighth street, plain statement OF facts
corning the matter Is here given:-
Four years ago DIR. Ludlow's congregation left tho
small chapel with some sixty families, all tho chapel
would accommodate, and entered tho new church.
The congregation has shown a steady increase, and
the spiritual work has seemed prosperous. The pow
have increased To about sli 900 per year. aud
tho list OF communicates correspondngly. Something
more than year ago the consisiory, which is self
clectng body, representing the three collegiate
congregations, ordered return to tho old
system OF rotation Ia preaching for tho
active ministers, Drs Chambers Ludlow and Ormiston
occupy the various pulpIs without previous announce
ment Drs. 0rmiston and Ludlow objected to tho pro.
posed arrangement on the ground that 1t had been
tried before aud had proven failure each congrcg,
tion desiring the services OF their own minister DIS
Ormis0n and Ludlow, however, submitted to the VIII
OF the constory, but the people resigned
Those worshipping under Dr. Ludlow presented Tor.
NAL petition the consstory asking that tho proIccs
bc abandoned being not only unacceptable TO tncn
but detrimental to the interest 0i the church.
Tho consistory refused 10 heed the petition
and individual mombcrs OF that body gavo great
offence to the congregation by their assertion OF tho
right Of the consis,ory TO govern the churches without
regard to the wi,hes OF the people During tho yfar
the churcncs have not been prosperous. Ino
attendance at the evening services at both tho Twe2y
ninth street and the Forty eighth street churches
fallen away, except when II known that their
pastors would occupy thor puipils.
The indignation OF tho consistory has hecn directed
chiefly toward the F0rtycghth street church aud pas
tor because OF tho action OF that congregation IN send
ing "a formal petition against the rotation system
and during tho year DR.. Ludlow has received
iutmations that the consist0ry would mako him
for the sins of his people
DIR. LUDLOW ASKED RESIGN.
About three montDs ago Dr. Ludlow waited
upon by an informal committee Of The consistory aud
requested TO resign his charge on the ground hat the
church was not growing. Pending Dr. Ludow'a
TO thus request his people learned Of this last
movement Of the consstory, and Immediately letter
written expressive Of tho warm personal attach
ment OF his people toward him. OF their approval Of
his preaching aud OF his pastoral hdoty aud ending
with tho request that hc would decline 10 tender his
resignation OF his charge This letter was signed by
tho congregation, with scarcely single exception,
and sent to DIR. Ludlow.
After due consideration DR.. Ludlow returned answer
to the consisory that in view of hs expression OF his
people he could not give definite answer to thcir
quest but that he would gladly consider any statement
OF reason therefor. Tho conslstory havc thus lar
failed TO givo him any such statement, but at
tho election Of officers a few weeks took
sion to reduce the representation of the Fcrty-cighh
church tho conssiory by cccting the place
OF one oil Dr. Ludovs friends renllc lcman attending tho
Lafayette place church. giving that congregation, which
Is exceedingly small nno members IN the conssiory,
ami giving the Forty eighth street church but
Tins action has iurhor reused the indignation OF Dr
Ludow's people, and they have appointed committee
TO look after the rights OF tho congregation and TO
guard their minister from what they consider ecclos
asticai ~ ranny.
Dr. Ludlow has counseiled pcacc and moderation
through 1t all feeling exceedingly embarrassed that
any disturbance should arse In his church. but does
feel that no desert his people after such
unanmIty and hcartiness in their expressions toward
him, or leave the work IN which hc has already spent
Of tho years OF his life. and which, but fov
this disturbance were 20 full OF promised results.