The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-15
DIR. O. H. HEPWORrH RESIGNS.
The Rev. w. II. Davis OF st. James's NJ. y.
Church 10 FIJI his Pulpit.


The Rev. Mr.. Hepworth resigned his pas
torate OF the Church OF the Disciples last even
ing. and the society. after accepting the resg-
nation. voted to call as his successor the Rov.
Mr. Davis. now pastor Of st. James's Methodist
Church in Harlem.
1t was a double surprise TO many Of tho con-
gregation. For some weeks there have been
rumors OF all sorts concerning Mr.. Hepworths
Intentions. but he has persistently refused to
say anything about his purposes. Some OF
the congregation asserted positively that
he had resigned. others that he was
going 10 resign, and some men in
authority had 1t direct that he was
simply going TO ask for an extended leave OF
absence. Last Sunday Mr. Hepworth read
from tho pulpit notice requesting the congre-
cation TO attend n meeting to be held on Friday
evening. the 14th. and this notice caused no
little stir among the members Of the church.
Tho rumors OF his resignation were renewed.
and when the people had assembled in tho large
lecture room under the church last evening It
seemed to bo generally understood that Mr..
Hepworth was really going to resign.
The lecture room was thronged. The deacons
and trustees came in late and took seats to-
gcther at the right OF the desk. and 1t was nearly
So o'clock before Mr.. Hepworth opened the
Bible and began to read Psalm. Before that
he had shaken hands and chatted with several
OF his congregation who sat in the front seats.
and had loitercd up to the reporters table.
and there admitted that he was about
to ,read his. resignation. Two OF Moody
a short prayer was profrered. in which
the pastors intention was Immediately hintod
sheets Of manuscript before him, began in
Conversational tOne, and said that he presumed
that AL Of his congregation e bad heard more S or
" IL WAS only after serious and fearful deibera-
ton" continued Mr.. Hepworth. '' that I reached
the conclusion some weeks ago that II would be
beat for you and me to part. and the reasons are
purely personal."
Ths determination Mr.. Hepworth suid WAS
1t WIS thought best not to make II public until
another pastor could be found who would be-
ready 70 stop into the pulpit 50 soon us Mr. Hep
worth left 1t. Az such a man had been found
there WAS no reason for further secrecy. and so
the congregation were called together to listen
to and act upon his formal resignation.
which no then tendered, reading from
lie had given scven OF the best years
Of his life to the organization and building up
Of the Church OF the Disciples. He had seen 4
grow from membership OF twenty who used
TO meet in Stnnway Hall. TO eight hundred
now meeting in this enormous church" But
Mr.. Hrpworth said. the struggle no had made
10 carry the church through the years Of fnan-
cinl distress. whom II was suffering from heavy
indebtedness. had affected constitution that
he once believed would withstand anything
row that prosperity seemed dawning agnin. 1t
tn. rest he so greatly needed
Brother Hopkins was then asked to take the
chair and direct the business and Brother J. W.
Ranney rose to move tho acceptance OF the
resignation. and he read n resolution oxpres-
sive Of the congregation's regret for the neces
sity of the separation. and OF It's confidence in
| the pnstnr. Then Brother HOPKINS put the mo-
tiOn whether Mr. Hepworth's resignation should
be accepted. Only few rose. These did 80
hesitatngly. and looking around seemed en-
| hnrrasSed. and one after another dropped into
| their places.
" Don't sit, brethren" said Mr. Hepworth
| coming forward. III thank you all to rise; I'd
| like II to be unanimous"
| places. and Brother HOPKINS announced that
| Mr.. Hepworth's resignation was accepted. Mr..
Ranney said that he hal another matter to
speak Of Instantly the congregation became
| Brother Ranncy told them 81 the search that
had been made Tor a pastor 20 flll Mr.. Hep
incl from Maine. one from Vermont. four from
elsewhere. But the COMMITTEES had finally SEE
| ST. James Methodist Church in Harlem. Brother
| Ranney said that the difIercnce in ienomna-
ton amounted to nothing. for Mr. Davis WINS an
earnest Christian, and dtsposed to be liberal.
| Brother Rnnncy also said that n certain church
had offered to take the Church OF the Disciples
| ediilce. aud assume It's debt but had also nm
| nounced that II could not fellowship with the
| church members. That amounted to taking
sNtd Brother Ranney. and the Committee could
| not tolerate that idea for an instant. This
church i was learned. was the Madison Ave
| nue. Baptist Church.
| Deacon Cummings then offered q resolution
| that Mr.. Davis he called t. the pulpit oi the
| Church Of the Disciples and 1t wns adopted.
The congregation WIS then dsu Ssrd
| Mr.. Hepworih Is remembered ~ tho pastor OF
| large Unitarian church In Boston some yrnrs
| ago. His withdrawal from that denomination
| and acceptance of the most orthodox CongrcgR-
| tonal dogmas caused much discussion nnd
| his Efforts TO build up AN entirely new Con-
| grrgational society In New York were watched
| with great interest. He WAS widely known as a
| clergymen whom in the Unitarian pulpit. and
| has sustained his reputation since Mr.. Hep
| worth said privately. after tho meeting was
| over last evening. TINT his plans were some
| what inch0ate. but he purposed. SO soon ns he
| gave the right hand OF fellowship 10 Mr. Davis
| next April. To sail for Europe He now thought
| OF spending some time IN England. and tnen OF
| going To Germany. and studying upon certain
| subjects TINT have lain callow In his mind for
| and may be abroad some years.