The sun., 1878-04-03
MUSIC In THE TABERNACLE.
TRUSTEE PE1RsALL LOSES FAITH IN
PASTOR TALMdGE,
And Accuses Him OF Want OF Truthfulness-
The warm Dispute over Mr.. Geo-ue w.
Morgan Threatening to Cause n Secession.


And Accuses Him OF Want OF Truthfuiness-
The warm Dispute over Mr.. George w.
Morgan Threatening TO Cause n Secession.
The nine trustees who resigned from
office in Talmage's Tabernacle Brooklyn. be-
cause of tho dispute between their board and
DR., Talmage over George w. Morgan. the
organst whom the trustees wished to dis
charge. signed n statement yesterday In which
they said they we're forced to either resign their
position or foment discord In the church by
calling n congregational meeting. They disa-
vow all hostile feelings toward DIR. Talmage.
and declare that no misunderstanding would
have occurred but for the contentious policy OF
his chief advisers They did not allow the
shortcomings Of the organlst to prejudice their
conduct toward him. until he put himself pub
licly in position OF antagonism to them. The
trustees have for ten years had absolute control
OF the musical department.. peremptOriy dis
charging Mr. Morgan for sufficient reasons in
June. 1876, at the suggestion OF tho pastor, and
reGngaging him in the fall of the sam year.
when his offence was forgiven. They nlso en-
gagged him for the yenr JUS, expiring The Scs-
sion had now forcibly and unwarrnntably as
sumed to appoint the organst Mr., Morgan,
contrary 70 the terms OF his contract. applied
for the use OF the Tabernacle for his benefit
concert. and his application was denied on tho
personal request Of DR.. Talmagr. Mr.. Morgan
declined a reduced salary. but after the trustees
ganist, he sent n letter accepting tho reduced
pay. He was then informed that his services
were no longer required.
by appointment 10 lay the Whole matter before
him. and found, 10 their surprise. that the ell
ders were in session at the same time and place.
By the pastors request the boards held joint
meeting to discuss the vexed question. and
voted to dismiss George w. Morgan as organ
said that the trustees were all his personal
friends. aud that he had no preferences in tho
matter. but that he had had. Subsequently the
Session. composed Of the elders and the pastor.
decided without consultation with the trustees,
that Mr.. Morgan should be retained. They
aver that this action was totally inconsistent
with all previous uttcrances and acts. The
trustees. Nessrs. Warren =. Sicocks, Robert =.
mage. mage ii, $, Elmore. II. /. Foote, u. F. cogSs-
we'll and W; J. Gelston. the entire board. say.
IN closing their statement, that. tc show that
they have no ill-will or prejudice against either
pnstor or people. they will cheerfully pay the
subscriptions recently made by them toward
extinguishing the debt. The trustees aver that
this statement is necessary TO meet the misrep-
reaentations made against them.
Mr.. Thos. f. Pearsall, a trustee sent yester-
day q personal letter to DR.. Talmage. accusing
the Tabernacle pastor OF want OF truthfulncss.
and handing in his resignation as a trustee.
aud Withdrawing from the church. He Informs
his pastor that he has lost confidence in his sin
ccrity, and that he cannot longer remain in the
congregation and listen To his preaching. Mr..
Peursnll calls up TO his pastors mind the
fact that on the last Sunday evening In June.
1876, Mr.. Morgan's condition was such that
Wnllc Tue service WIS IN progress II f'Suteu IN
discordant sounds which came from the organ
to the amazement Of the congregation He says
also IN his letter:
ON the last sunday in June you demanded that Mr.
Morgan should he discharged because he 10 the
church drunk as you expressed H. and that he was in
the habit ot doHg AMI that YOU would not stand II
any longer and you INSISTED upon special meeting ui
the trustees which held pursusnt to your request
out Ia the following resolution which WIS unannousy y
passed George Morgan the organist of this church
having been intoxicated to bc nearly ncapacat.
from playing the during church last
evening, motion was made and carried that the
mcnt made by the church with him he Annuled. and
that the SECRETARY noy him To that effect Mr. Morgan
duly notified hv c secretary and ceased organis
guenuy at our earnest sole cuon recousidered aud Mr.
Morgan was taken back at salary OF SlOo month.
Mr. Pcarsall says further that when remon-
strated with on the impropriety OF an organis
| OF dssipatrd habits playing before n sunday
school OF children. the pastor said that Morgan
| played better drunk than any other organist
| could play sober He also accuses his pastor OF
| having failed TO redeem his pledge To- explain
| TO the con 'regation why the Tabernacle had
| been refused To- Mr. Morgan. and of having
| written u culogistc letter prOnouncing Mr.
MOrgan'- habits faultless. when he was convcr.
| SAINT with Mr.. Morgnns habits He tells his
| pastor that he could no longer sit under hi,
preaching without doing violence TO his feel
| ings. as he had lost all faith in his veracit
Tho quarrel over the Organlst IL the exciting
topic in the church. and Is likely TO lead 10 n se
cesslon Of many members from the Tabernacle