The New York herald., 1879-12-03
PRESBYTERIAN SCHISM.
Why Dr.. Halnass's Congregation Issues
Declaration Of Independence.
A TABERNACLE FOURTH OF JULY.
Reasons for the Secession and What
Benefits Are Hoped For.
TABERNACLE FOURTH OF JULY.

Kresson in struggle that must end in the severance
into two hostile camps Of a hitherto powerful ana
united religious body. Although the document is
only a recommendation. and the body issuing 1t
exercises jurisdiction over the business concerns
of the church alone. it is generally regarded
expression Of the almost unanimous wish OF the
congregation and the formal secession Of the Tab
ernacle from the Brooklyn Presbytery is expected
Is natural result. 1t is generally un-
derstood that. although no formal meeting
Of ths church had recommended the meas
urs. tho great majority Of the members
had in the strongest manner urged upon the trustees
the necessity OF decisive STEP that begin
ming might be made and the necessary meeting
called in the regular In fact the relations be-
tween Mr. Talmage and the Presbytery were so
strained and there much bad feeling between
the supporters and the disputants that every one
cognizant Of the facts expected rupture before
long. Yet the form and manner of its coming was o
genuine surprise to all and created quite sensation
In Brooklyn. That the public will be favored with
bitter controversy. full Of personality. teeming
with theological lore and crammed with ecclesiasti-
cal precedents. one doubts but whether any good
win be done to the cause of religion morality by
such display was question that no Brooklynite
seemed to consider at ALL
THE PROPOSED SECESSION
A HERALD reporter called yesterday at Mr.. Tai
IMAGES residence, and. on inquiring for the rever-
end gentleman. informed by a colored maid
servant in most decided and emphatic tone. that he
was not in and not in town.
At the Office Of Major r. b. Corwn, in Court
street. that gentleman and Mr.. 8. II. Frankenberg.
the signers Of the published resolution of the
tees and the president and secretary respectively of
that body, found, and they stated their case
with the utmost freedom.
'The fact is" said Major Corwin. 1--WE have only
now taken step which. considering the treatment
we have received. we should have taken year ago.
We want simply to be let alone to be allowed to live
in peace We we'll able to take Of ourselves
and can get along very we'll without help from any
body. We have not acted hastily but have fully do
liberated over the whole matter and satisfied It
will be for the benefit Of the church,
"what is the exact scope of the step the trustees
have takenY' asked the reporter.
1--WE have simply recommended to Mr.. Talmage
the sdvissbility Of separating from the Brooklyn
Presbytery in order be rid Of intoerable persecu
ton and annoyance. 1t is for him to say whether
he will accept our advice not and to make such
recommendations to the church may seem best
to him. That is all we have DONE"
would favor secession from the Presbytery Il Mr..
Talmage recommended that courseT
There is not the slightest doubt of it. The whole
congregation would abide by our decision and 1t
in obedience to the repeatedly expressed wishes
Of the members that the trustees acted. The
gregation is behind them and all are convinced that
there chance of peace quiet except in sepa-
ration. We wish only to say to the Presbytery.
Gentlemen. you go your own way and leave us to
follow ours in peace"
''what do you think will be the effect the Pres
byterian Church in Brooklyn and throughout the
United ststesS" asked the reporter
ave know it is good for the Tabernacle and we
think it is better for people who cannot agree to
:Is there any question of doctrine involved in tho
dispute. 1t merely difference about local mat
tors, or Mr.. Tamage's personal merits?
QUESTION OF DOCTRINE.
There is question Of doctrine whatever. It is
simply petty persecution originating In jealousy.
The fact. is is at the bottom of the whole
Of it, Mr.. Van Dyke, Of the Clinton Street Church,
trouble He has been able to influence the
and have been subjected to long series Of perse
cutions and annoyances that have finally determined
to take this step Let me give you one instance.
When the old church property was sold committee
OF the Presbytery was appointed. through Mr.. Van
This intolerable assumption Of authority.
such matters havo no concern with the other
Presbyterian churches, and the Presbytery has
Jurisdiction whatever in such cases."
''Shoud this action of the trustees result in tho
nnsi secession OF the IaSernsce congregason from
affect ITS standing Presbyterian church and the
relations of its members with their oo-religionists
throughout the couptryY
II think We are acting strictly within our right" /"
replied Mr.. Corwin.
II can't see how that should make any trouble or
do any harm to the Church. II the Brooklyn Taber-
nace chooses to expatriate herself that is nobodys
business in free country but the Tabernacle's. 1t
viii certainly make the Tabernacle stronger as an
institution 1t weakness to remain In the Pres
bytery so long. considering the treatment we have
received. expected to have to do anything of
this kind. was born Presbyterian and my father
was one before me have lived Presbyterian all
fancy for an independent church any other form
Of church examination. but want peace and think
this will give it,
AWAITING rAIMAaKs REPLY.
"when DO you expect Mr.. Tanage's reply to your
eve will give Mr.. Talmaee all the time he wants.
BE can deliberate as much as he peases over his an
swer. We werc in no hurry drawing it up, but had
II in contom plation for time and there is no
necessity for haste In the reply"
ITO whom and in what manner will the reply be
'To the trustees first. as it is their resolution.
Then the matter will DO laid before the Church ut
regular meeting and the Church and the pastor will
decide. Or Mr.. Tamage may prefer to consult the
Joint boards-that is. the Board of Sessions, or
Eders which has M charge Of purely doctrins mat
of the Church. In either case the Church will de-
cide but there is not the slightest doubt that Mr.
Talmage's recommendations. whatever they may be,
will be accepted"
suppose Mr. Talmage should recommend the
Church 10 preserve its connection with the Prssby-
terry. would that advice be taken after all this dis
cussionr 80
Presbytery. but tho trustees would then have the
right to withhold the assessments from the Pres
bytery. Like the lower house OF Congress, We hold
the purse strings and cut oil the supplies. Wo
have not, In fact, paid our assessments for some
tiIn~. and don't propose TO pay people for black
guarding us. The Presbytery propose to make US
pay onetenth Of all the expenses and we don't con-
slider It fair. We cannot even hire an organist but
Mr.. Van Dyke and Co. want to inquire into
II. This IL intolerablo persecution. and we
won't stand IL any longer. Look at this
report. he continued. pointing to q thick
volume containing tho proceedings at the trial
Of Mr.. Talinaqe. THAT cost sT00. not to speak OF
$500 expended before. and we don't propose to
allow such things again. Tho charge a cowardly
one. for no man had tho manhood to como forward
and mako the charge. because, according to Pres
the accuser is punished. They fell back on the
technicalitity of common fame which is allowed
by the ecclesiastical law but this was only thin
veil to cover Mr. Van Dyke n Co., andlnow they ask
US to pay our share of expenses incurred by them
prosecuting Mr.. Talmagc."
LIrrIE CHANCE OF SETTLEMENT.
els there any possibility of this quarrel being
settled by arbitration or by appeal to tho Synod or
the General Assembly,
1--WE don't intend to appeal. but the Presbytery
may. From what IL has done in tho past 1t may do
anything. Wo have quarrel with tho synod of
Long Island with the General Assembly: our
grievance is entirely connected with the Brooklyn
Presbytery, and we want SIMPLY to cut the connec-