The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-22
TROUBLE IN ANOTHER CHUaCH.
A Pastor who Devotes More Ttae 70 the
Poor than TO his Sermons.

Concerning the dissatisfaction existing
among the vestrymcn Of IT. Paul's Episcopal
Church. In Jersey City Heights with the pastor,
the Rev. Mr.. Putnam. Mr. A. Cox OF 25 Maiden
lane. one Of the vestrymen, said that the cause
Of dissatisfaction was solely on the ground that
the Rev. Mr.. Putnam devoted himself to feeding
the hungry and clothing the naked instead OF
polishing his sermons. Mr.. Cox. although
friend and well-wishcr Of Mr. Putnam. had
noted lack Of preparation In the clergyman's
discourses. and this the clergyman himself had
also acknowledged. In view Of the good Mr..
Putnam was doing among the poor OF the par
ish. many were willing to overlook occa-
sional deficiencies in the sermons. but others
were not so enient,. md at least half Of the
vcs,ry thought that Mr. Putnam should resign.
and one vostryman had said TINT II Mr. Putnam
did not resign, he 1the yestrymanl should seek
another church. The feeling extended into
the congregation and among the church mem,
hers. In no instance had Mr.. Cox heard
any other reason than the one MENTIONED, for
complaint toward the clergyman In December
question, Of asking, Mr.. Putnam to resign. andat
second Of those MIR. Harrison said. speaking for
himself he took no pains to explain, that the
only remedy he could devise was Mr., Putnan's
resignation. ON hearing which Mr. Putnam. in
tremulous tones. said that II 10y 80 doing he
could bring about any good TO ~. Pauls parish
Immediately resign Whom his presence be- be-
came the occasion Of division of The church. IL
was timc for him to go. No action was taken at
4 similar trouble. Mr.. Cox added. broke out
four or i've years ago. Then n now Mr. Put.
nam had neglected the rich for the poor-had
preferred to- practice rather than preach
On his being, shown he error OF nj
his sermons, sufficiently improved .., to
cause all discomfort To- ccu-c. This
time however. MIR. Cox thought. there would
were opposed To- Mr.. rutnam were active and
yigignt. while his, friends outside 81 the vcstry
had thus far boon kept from defending him. be-
cause they did no, Know what the Ncs,ryincn
were doing.
Mr.. Cox Explained TINT the church could not
afford 10 divide. ~ il was with difficulty that eN
4 friend Of Mr. Putnam. who did not wish hi-
name To- appear. said that Mr.. Punam'r situa-
ton was peculiarly distressing. as he was en- .
tirey dependent on his salary for the support OF
his family. His wife had recently los, her pri;
$4,000, together with what little Mr.. Putnam
,hEad l9id hy for rainy Day. through ros.;,
Mr. Putnam, too. was flfiy-fvc. an age nj
/ which few men are able To struggle successfully
against mi-tortune. or to labor successfully in u
new field Mr.. Putnam had been connected
with St paul's since its organization. sixteen or
seventeen years ago. and it was ingraitudc to
cast him oir when the church. through his aid
or IN spite of his mi-dccds. had arrived Mt cont
paratiyc age and prosperity.
Mr. Putnam, at the parsonage in Duncan nv
n sick man. " Now. gutothe hospital were Il ,
( words til" rrpOrt' overheard ~ he npprOa"h II.
/ The hospital i~unl"r the temporal and spiritutl
charge of Mr. Putnam. Nj. Putnam rviurrd
| distress that the subject should become publ =
/ A. e. the charge, made against him. he uckuoN l.
edged that he had been ambitious 10 have Ia,
I parish cnluJ the reputation 81 caring Tor IT,
/ poor. Int in working 10 that end he had merely
/ done his duty a. hc had conceived II.
\ meeting oi the Nc-uy. witch II was sup
| pos # would be- decisive H. 10 Mr.. Putnam r.
signing cor remaining, WIS held last evening a
the house of SIR. BrnNcrhnG Mr.. Putnam Wa
present long enough to read paper IN whirl
he reiterated hS de~ir" to- do all that in hiu
lay Tor the good Of his parish. aiter which Ne
retired. \ debate followed which listed Il.
midnight, when the meeting broke up wthou
coming To- any decision.