The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-24
A PULPIT LOCKOUT.

AN ANGRY CHURCH COMMITTEE CLOSE THh
DOORS OF THE SANCTUARY AGAINST THEIR
PAsToa-wILL VERBAL CONTRACT ION
SALARY HOLD?
wEsTpoRr, Conn, Nay 49, 1878.
For some time past Ia the Congregational Church
which Rev Dr. sandsrson has presided TOR nearly
i've years decided evidences of disagreement be-
tween pastor and people have manifested themselves
Among the causes leading to the difficulty would seem
10 be the cutting down Of tho PASTORS salary
without hts knowledge or consent, IN violation o.
alleged verbal contract covering a period O
Gvo years held by him, aud his failure
identity himself with tho church Sunday schooi
or to allow his children 10 associate with tne
pupils. ln addition to these the department OF the
Doctors wife, is alleged, has not been altogether
satisfactory Tneso unpleasant circumstances, II Is
alleged arc calculated to ncutraizo the good effects
OF tho preaching OF OF the talented and &C.
complishod ciergymcn ever Ia a Westport pulpit
CONTRACT
The Doctor called to tho church In February,
1874 at u salary Of 600 per year ard troo house.
Ho preached acccptaby and the church dur.
ishcd. Two years later he informed by
his people OF their inability 10 raise SO large
aud u The urgent need OF his preaching tor less
He branded TINS statement Us illmsy, transparent
dodge 70 evade paying what they lad agreed and
promptly notified Them that he should resign He
was, however. dissuaued. A compromise followed,
The salary beng liked at 81, 500
CAriiEklSG CLOUD.
From that moment iorwara. while upon the surface
OF social things all appeared 10 be moving smoothly,
the elements OF discord and bitterness gathered
strength beneath, breaking iorth from lmo III
anonymous lottors TO the pastor from OF tho
worsnippers couchcd IN foreign to tho spirit
OF truth Kindness. These were answered from tho
pulpit the preacher pointeducss and schoI-
arly elegance characteristic OF AIS st 10 as occason
oncrcd While the end Of all this could iorc-
the outside world conceded that tho pastor had
tho best Of u.
rtcurx,xn .rvorr
Not SO tho congr, CATION. They called special
NEE Ing, AMI, as II with aview crush the
out voted 10 iurtner reduce his salary from ST. 500 20
S 200. This moro than he ielt capable endur.
ing, and the following sunday, May IL. he
the church. His theme tho golden rule and his
text the words, do unto others 20 would they
teners, bat lew OF item knew OF the unpleasant state
o. nina under whicn tho preacher labored. After
dwelling At length upon mans duty toward his fellow
man the Doctor, Ia tue Language oil hearcr 'whacd
tho congregation within AN inch Of their hves.n Hs
pictured the rcachery OF some people wnn The SOUND
Vi his voice; the iawuing batteries showcred upoa
HIM his lace, which were followed by far different
expressions when his back turned VI the deceit
fulness oil tho church managers mystiying and
up the real condition OF affairs isoad
tho pastor place him IN false light before the
world. Indeed he went into the very vitais OF then
management, exposing tho inner workings thereof,
leaving stone uuturHud which, by turning, would
aid In showing tho utter contemlt he held Tor tho
people with whom he associated. During tho
preaching ono Or two male members left their seats
and deliberately walked out OF church. The greatest
exciscmont followed
THE PASTOR LOCKED OUT.
Friday last the society held meeting and by vote
decided 10 sever their connection with the pastor On
sunday morning tho Doctor presented himself the
church Tor the purpose Of holding service but found
the doors firmly barred against him and MD.
den. He claims no Is emitted by his contract 10
salary IN iuI TIL February 1879. whether he Is per-
ntcd 10 preach or NOT and by ADVICE VI counsel viii
| hold the church responsible Tor tho amount rho
| church committee MAINTAIN they arc exempt IRON
such responsibility in tho absence OF written con-
tract
rho Doctor threatens publish tho sermon aud tho
anony ana other letters no has received, with
| comments.