The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-04-05
TIE Seeding MINISTER'S.
LrTELY DISCUSSION ON ALLOWING LIT
TEisS OF DISHISSiL.
Reasons fnr the Rev. Dr- Budinaton's, ~ torr~'s,
and others secession from the Congrc-
RntiornI Association not TO bo Asked.


and Others secession from the Congrc-
gationni Association not 60 bo Asked.
Tho Congregational Association OF New
York and Brooklyn mot yesterday for the frst
time since 80 many Of their number sccodod
and formed tho Manhattan Congregational AS
sociatiOn. which was tho original namo OF tho
parent organization. Tho meeting was In the
Rcv. Samuel II. Virgins Church. In lIarlom.
and the attendance was largcr than under OK
isting circumstances. was anticipated. Tho as-
sociation Is not n representation OF churches.
but merely n club Of Congregational ministers.
who meet twice year for social intercourse.
Mr. William II. Davis. recently of tho Union
Theological Seminary. was examined "a TO his
prospective iltnass for tho Christian ministry.
and his immediate ability TO preach US IA lay
man.
At this period Henry Ward Bcccher. wrapped
closely in honvy cloak entorod tho church.
He had not ottcndod meeting Of tho associa-
tlon for twenty years. and his presence created
some excitement
The Rev. W. H. Whittcmoro was appointed
Trcasurcr. and Prof. Irving Registrar Tor tho
ensuing year. and. after lunch. the considcra-
ton of the request Of the seredcrs for letters Of
dismissal was t,ken up. Mr.. lIamlin who had
been appointed to investigate the matter. read
the letter from Nj. Mcfarland. and Drs Bud
ingtOn. Stcrrs and Taylor. in which they an
rounred their determination TO withdraw from
Of dismissal. Mr. Mcfarland was Registrar nt
the time Of the withdrawal and he had given
himself letter. and ono TO zach of the minister's
who had seccded with him. Six or seven others.
however. were anxious to get letters from the
Mr. Hamn thought that II the letters wore
given they should bo accompanied 10y some OK
preston OF opinion from tho association as TO
the manner in which the brethren had with
The Rev Mr., Bayis said Let us part from
thom peacefully, and without any structures
upon their conduct. The more fuss there ia
made the worse 1t will be. not for us hut for
them. and certainly none of us wish tlcm evil !"
Assistant Pastor Halliday was less tolerant
They could not be allowed to go. he said. with
out some expression OF opinion from the asso-
citation. Can you. air. or can l." he continued
b"iung 20 two organizations at the same
Certainly" the Moderator Interrupted. Il
We'll. but was il right?" Mr.. Halliday per
"Oi cour-r II was right" Or. storrs said.
quickly; ana |, was in accordance with Con-
Mr. Halliday said. doubtfully. that II It wns.
indeed. all right and proper II would be best 70
let th" brethren 90 without rchukr. though il
seemed tp him that he association ought t. say
al least. Dear brethren. you have not at'd
courtrou-ly toward us. but lel ~ part friends" "
Me-srs. Abbott Irving. and Virgin wer, mp
tion to the s"reirrs. anl they presented letter
r"hnkins them rather shnrply, and stgmaiizng
their ntion IA h'inc un lll"l for the rensuns
given inr their withdrawal. II was alleged. were
not SUM 'icnt.
THIS communication was not approved o.
Mr.. Beech"r said that tho brethren who had
gone uwhy wrrn the h'-t Judges Of their rsaspn
for = doing. The letter conveyed nothing. The
n--o' 'iHt,on probably fnthomed iis meaning.
but nobody else could. II would J." more digni-
i,'si To- give them the letters of dismissal they
hnd asked for and allow them t. 10 without a
word 90 comment
DR.. Storr- said that with the execution Of Drs,
Bud Ington. Ri hard :. Storrs. and TAYLOR. and
Mr. Mcfarland. the msmher- who had with
drawn were not in antleonism with the n-so-
citation they had left. DIR. Coc had publicly
declared that he would not join the new asso-
cinti0n If ~ thought il was In antagonism 10
IN" old. With the other four. however. II was
different for they went out violating their
promises.
Mr.. Is p4'hcr thought that tho first four went
out lust nS regularly ~ In" others. only they
| usual.
II was olvol 20 give the lr'tnrs ot dismissal
asked for. and make no comments.