New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-02-22
A PASTOR ACCUSED.

| TROUBLE IN THE MADISON AVENUE REFORMED
| CHURcH-THE REV. Mr.. LLOYD's EXPLANATION
| AccEPrrD-rHE CONsIsToRY BARELY SUSTAINED
BY THE CONGREGATION.
Tie Rev. William Lloyd has been the pastor
of the Reformed Church, at Madisonave. and tysev-
cn for ten months For year two previous he was
over the Washington Square Methodist Church There
he was very successful and received call to the MAUI
| son-ave Church. whose membership and attendance
were then very small Under Mr.. LOyds minstrations
the prosperity OF the church materially Increased
Some members OF the cOnsstory which is the governing
body soon showed decided feeling Of hostility to Mr.
Lloyd, which increased, 1t Ia said, by anonymous
letters accusing the pastor Of misconduct one OF tne
consistory, j. d. Hunter, left the congregation Two
weeks ago, church meeting was held to elect success
sor to J. c. Stout, whose Of Office expired Colonel
Wilcox was proposed. but he declined, and then pro
posed the Of j. c. Sprou This seems not 10 nave
been acceptable c0nsstory and its action resulted
In the reelection Of Mr.. Stout
About this time the consisory brought to ae notice OF
Mr. Lloyd certain matters but not charges against MS
character Mr.. Lloyd denied them and resigned Thus
far the matter appears have been confined to the cir
Gle Of the minister and the consstory Some knowledge
OF trouble having reached the congregation sermon
which Mr. Lloyd preached week ago last Sunday was
thought to farewell to his people The congregation
asked an explanation, and the consistory replied that
Mr. Loyds resignation had been accepted because that
gentleman was too fond OF spirtuous liquors"
Many members OF the congregation sympathized with
the pastor Proof was demanded Att meeting held on
Tuesday evening ut the residence OF H. t. Steele at No
60 East Fftythst the representatives OF the consis
tory met the congregation The notes taken by detec-
tves who had been watch Mr. Lloyd by the cOnsis
tory for months past were read From notes made
it appears that Mr. Lloyd in the habit OF going into
bar-rooms to drink; that he did so as often
as times a day.. The places mentioned were
the Grand Union Hotel and saloons in Thrd-aye The
OF the detectives seemed also to indicate that MP
Lloyd had been often in company with lady
who his wife; 1t is understood however, that
sSr, Wes the consstory
the meeting so.a at Mr. ..d stese 1 tGe m snS
soemnly denied that lac drank and said that he wanted
his oath to the truth OF his statement but that
he did do after he heard what the consstory had
In the form OF evidence.
The meeting Of Tuesday evening resulted in no de-
cded action 1t determined that the pastor should
make his explanation To the congregation last evening
Mr. Lloyd does not deny thar he is In the habit OF oc
casionally taking malt and sprituous liquors. says
II have long been suffering with chills and fever,
which have almost destroyed my system. My
ply sicans have told that Ii would be only by the use
all TO The use OF smuIants therefore, resGrted with
out hesitation For a long time used qunine. Inc et,
then malt and spirtu0us liquors. but never In ex
Whoever says ! ever dranG six times day lies:
stimuants took liquor, wherever Glanced TO be.
tired to conceal this habit or necessity OF mine
my 'dongs might be construed in this coun-
try into something wrong. Recently a. nave
trail however, TO exercise some caution. Ny friends
warned me against demonstration. then attempted
10 let alone all kinds liquor Just did qunlne, Of
which had taken inordnate quantities never denied
before the conssory anything that was true. did not
try, wish, 10 commit suicide. MY explanation Is Just
what have given TO you have not the slightest wish
10 cOncca anything from the public or my church."
No statement OF facts could be obtained yesterday
from the consistory the members OF which repel any
inquiries In very abrupt maRner, sayiA they neither
wish To make or To have any explanations.
The meeting in the cctuTe-go0m OF the church, last
night, WAS closed 10 ali except members OF the
church aud pcwholders. lr. Lloyd read mis- cx-
planaton II was asserted by his friends Tat
this should in way bc considered as a
defence, because no charges had been made
After hearing the explanation. the substance OF
which IL given above the pastors statement was ac-
copied satisfactory by vote OF AZ yeas TO Ia nays
Eight OF the cousistory voted In the negative. resolu
tion reduced member OF the consistory effect
that the conssOry had acted Ia the matter from but
mistaken motives, adopted by vote OF Ia To 10
Ihryhree the congregation declined To express any
opinion. outside OF the church. however. some of the
members of the congregation do not hesitate To CON
denim the cousisory and 10 question its motives In the
plainesi way. They say they are ruled with " rod OF
non and much moanness." Words failed them, they
sail 10 eVrross their detcstatOn of the use Of de
tecvcs.
II u hardly hoped that the trouble will be Smoohed
over IL supposed that part NJ the congregation will
form church, OF which Mr. Lloyd VIII be the head