The New York herald., 1878-12-30
GLENDENNING'S SUCCESSOR.
TROUBLES IN THE WESTMINSTER PREsBYTERIAN
CHURCH IN JERSEY CITY.

TROUBLES IN THE WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH IN JERSEY CITY.
The Westminster Prcsby terian Church. on Pavonia
avenue. Jersey City Heights. although one Of the
smallest In size and membership in the city, has met
with trouble since its organization In 1870 than
any other congregation in Hudson county. Their
first pastor Obliged to leave the city account
OF the ruin OF of the lady members and ycster.
day his preached his farewell sermon. his
resignation having been demanded Of him some time
ago by the Church Session.
Rev John y. Glcndenning the first pastor Of
the little church. and the downfall OF of the
death bed declared her pastor to be the father Of her
child caused Mr.. Glondennings retirement from the
pulpit OF the church. In the tall OF 1874 Mr.. Glen
denng resigned and went to Henry Ill. The pulpit
OF the church remained vacant for about four
months. and then the Session called Rev. o. B. Bid
we'll of this city Mr.. Bdwell gave general satisfaction
until about year ago, when some of the elders
planned that he failed to the menlbership or
swell the receipts. and efforts at made to
obtain his resignation. Outside of the elders Mr..
Bidwcl had many friends in the congregaticn and ut
their advice he declined to resign. The elders
tinucd their opposition to him until last July, when
the pastor announced his willingness to resign his
congregation requested him do So A meet
ing WAS held and the pastors friends rallied
in such strength that resolution WAS adopted
almost unanimously requesting him to remain.
This action OF the congregation for % time caused
the elders to refrain from further opposition. but
about three months later the pastor informed by
the entire session that they desired his resignation
and asked for favorable reply within week,
threatening to resign their Offices and withdraw with
their families from the church within week II tho
resignation not forthcoming Mr.. Bidweli denied
the right of the elders and trustees 10 dictate the
time he should take to consider tho question OF
signing but after few weeks handed In the resina-
tion, to take effect January L. 1879. This put end
to the threatened hostities on one side, but Rev.
Mr.. Bidwcls friends then threatened to withdraw,
and that their threats not idle ones shown
in the remark OF elder MR. George 4. Howclil
HERALD reporter yesterday, to the effect that por.
tion would withdraw after Mr.. Bidwell's departure,
but that the solid portion would remain
The church wcll filed yesterday ut the morn
ings services. The pastor had said that he woull
pre- ,ch formal farewell but the only ihtination ,e
received the ouncrinent that l,y
orcer Of the piesbyte Rev. DR. Wal OF Engl wood
would prcs in the church sunday and du,.,
the pulpit vacant
Mr.. Bidwell preached from Ephcsians. VII, l2-
For wrestle not against flesh aud blood, bus
princpalities." The only reference to his troubles
tnat he made was in alluding to the dsvic,s and
stratagems resortcd to by Gods greatest enemy to
overcome the Christian. He said There is not
bait no has not used. not q temptation
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