The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-04
SHEPHERD AND FOLD.
TROUBLES OF THE COLLEGIATE CHuRCH-DR.
LUDLOW SUPPORTED BY N1NE-TENTHs OF
HIS coNGREGATIoN-RUMoRs OF A NEW

TROUBLES OF THE COLLEGIATE CHURCH-DR.
LUDLOW SUPPORTED BY NINE-TENTHs OF
HIS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF NEW
CHURCH
The trouble that has been occasioned in the Colegi
ate Church. owing to the arbitrary action OF the Con-
sstory dismissing Dr.. James N. Ludlow, the pastor
OF tho church congregation worshppng at Fifth ave.
nue. and Forty-eghth street, some time since, has
assumed phase which may prove decidedly unpleas-
ant to both Of the controversy, involving as
may the disruption ofthc congregation and its division
into two separate bodies
IL may be Instructive and Interesting At this point
to take short OF the action which has had this
unpleasant result Certain members OF the Consistory
some time ago became dissatisfied with Dr.. Ludlow,
because the building he preached in held from 1000 to
], 200 people, and the customary congregation num-
bered only about half that number. They at
trbuted this fact to Dr.. Ludlows want OF
drawing power and they decided call for his resgna-
tion They could not dismiss him except Tor unchrs-
tan life or conduct or false doctrine, the call to
any of the pulps Of the Collegiate Church is for le
The Consstory the Collegiate Church Corporation Is
an arbitrary body of twenty-four men, benG four
elders and four from each Of the three church
cdiaces included in the corporation These are elected
every years and their action is nna being subject
only to review by an intangible body called the Great
ConsistOry. which consists OF the twenty four men,
bers, together with any who have been members
previously. This Great Consstory rarely numbers
over thirty members
Some years ago. when the system OF rotation was In
full force, resolution was passed by the Consistory to
discontinue the rotation but subsequently the system
was restored. DR.. Ludlow was one OF the opponents
OF the rotation system, and his congregation sent
petition TO the Consisory against IT, The system was
then modified so as to permit eacn pastor 70 occupy
his pulpit In the morning. and only rotate IN the
afternoon evening This partial Grant OF their re-
quest all that they they could obtain, but the con-
Ate Had Thnv Ii Ad hnir
pastor and severely criticised the arbitrary action
OF the Consistory. All Of these causes combined
to influence q majority OF the Consistory 70 call
for Or. Ludlow's resignation. powerful minority
opposed this action, but were overruled by the ma
jory Meetings Of the congregation were hold and the
Consstory was vigorously denounced as exercising an
unwarranted and arbitrary authority. ana Dr Ludlow
requested not to resign but he preferred to do so
rather than bring scandal on the faith he proiessed
thereby setting fine example, Fully ne-tenths Of
the congregation are in sympathy with Dr. Ludlow,
and the Consstory held in any great degree Of
respect by the members OF the Forty eighth
street church.
A scHIsM IN PROGRESS.
large number OF tho wealthicst and best
members Of tho congregation have gwen up
their pcws and intend to follow Dr. Lud-
lows fortunes. Their personal friendship for him
as man, and affection and respect as PASTOR are
greater than their desire TO remain 10 the church
where they have 50 long worshpped. Among ,. me
gone out are Thomas Jeremiah, President Pacific In
suranco Company; Waiter Carter, formerly Of Robert
Carter Brothers; William L: Skidmore, OF No. IA
Wall street, coal broker; +. A. Morrison, large
dry goods dealer, and others BY some II is
said that FULLY 100 pews had been gwen up. There
has already been talk Of starting a new church and
calling DR.. Ludlow to the pastorate. The church
building NJ Madison avenue and Forty-eghth street,
formerly occupied by the First Reformed Episcopal
Church, has been spoken Of but nothing definite in
that regard yet been decided upon Thus matters
existed until day or two ago. whom an advertisement
appeared in daily contemporary severely rchect ng
upon the managers" and announcing that 100 pewi
were Tor sale. The advertisement further states, ~
is understood they are 10 have big man aud biz
preacher. one who will weigh about Two hundred
pounds and full Of the Heidelberg Catechism" Ar
effort was made the advertiser which was
fruitiess II was thought, however, 10 have been
very impoitc thing and Dr. Ludlow certainly does no
desire such cham pionshp.
A HERALD reporter found yesterday that severa
members oil the Consistory were not a. their homes
but those who seemed adverse to conyersing OF
the matter The above facts, however, were geanet
in conversation with q prominent member OF tn
Conslstory.