New-York tribune., 1879-12-23
LOCAL MISCELLANY.


MORE TROIYI,E FOR MIR. TALMAGE.
mn wax DYKE DECLARES THAT MIR. TALNAGE HAs
sr.NprpFp HIM AND DEMANDS AN iNVksli1A-
uoS-MR. rALuAGE coUNsELs PEACE And HAIR
MoSY.
AT the meeting of the Brooklyn Presbytery IN
October at the Second Presbyterian Church, IN Cln-
ton.st near Fulton-st.. an invitation was extended
20 the body 10 meet thereafter at the laoernace'
accompancd by the offer of no charge; sum large
enough to pay for the expense of lighting ana neat
ing having been paid previously &c tne oeeo"u
Church By q nearly unanimous vote this invi'a1oh
was accented and the January meeting was called
for that place. But on Sunday, December q MT.
Talmsge, from his pulpit IN replying to. the letter
of the Trustees of the Tabernacle advising with
drawal from the Presbyterian Church, made Dit-
ter attack on his "pursuers," the substance Oh
which was published the next day in The TRIBUNE.
Among OF her things he spoke If the moral rotten
ness" of some who opposed him.
I'm reply TO his charges the twenty-five members OF
the Presbytcry, who opposed Mr.. Talmage's acqnt-
tai at his tria and appealed his case to the synod
denied the allegations aud demanded PROOF. Inc
charges OF rottenness believed to refer to the
Rev. j. d. Wells, who many years ago was tired by
the Preshytery for breach uf promise OF marriage
and slightly censnIed, aud the Rev. Dr. Henry y.
Van DYKE The latter is believed to be referred to
in regard 10 the letter about the finances OF the
Tabernacle and in his connection with
church in Westvlle. which he resigned from shortly
after being setted; and also in Offering Dr. Rock-
well speech TO use his own. which DR.. Rockwell
denies.
AT the meeting of the Presbytery yesterday to
consider the matter of meeting next month at the
Tabernacle both Mr.. Talmage aud Dr. Van Dyke
were absent. The Moderator, the Rev. Alfred lay
lor presdel In the absence of the clerk consider
able difficulty was experienced in getting anyone
10 serve. All who were nominated with one accord
made excuse and finally Mr.. McCullagh, under pro-
test took the place After calling the roll he began
10 read the following letter from DIR. Van Dyke:
BROOKLYN. Dec 22. 1879.
n, the Moderator and Members Of The Presbyiey Of
REvEREND AND DEAR BRETHRFN-l beg leave
10 present nv reasons for absence from the meeting
of the Presbytery 10 be held thu, afternoon
On Sunday. Dec. 7, pending the trial OF com,
plant before the synod of Long Island to which
was party, the Rev; I. Dewitt Iaimage. d. d., a
member of this Presbyery, read before ms cOngre-
CATION statement of which copy is herewith
submitted. Every member of the Presbyiery
Knows that the statement makes false and
injurious accusations against me, which
would fully Justify an action for SANDER
Not willing TO become his accuser III The technlcai
sense Of the word, avail myself OF the provision
in our Book of Discipline. chapter 8, section o.
which says "a slandered individual may request
judicial investigation" To show You that this re-
0uest is not prompted by any desrc for personal
s,ufe take this opportunity to declare tnat until
the honor of the church and my own reputation ~ ~
the matter above cited are fully vndlcated, Will
take no part whatever in the proceedings OF 1he
Presbytery OF Brooklyn.
At this point in the reading Dr. Spear rose to
point Of order. saving that the meeting was under
special call for a special purpose, and while he
meant no discOprtcsy TO the author of the letter,
under the pretence of assigning for absence,
II brought up matters irrelevant, impertnent and
inappropriate at this time" The Moderator decided
the point of order not we'll taken, but on appeal
from his decision lie was not sustained, the vote
being TO H. and the reading of the letter
pended Dr. Wells then moved that the next meet
ing be at the Classon Avenue Church. This was
seconded by DR.. Spear, who then read the following
letter from Mr. Tamage:
10 the Brooklyn.Fresbycry
DEAn BRETHREN As will be absent from the
city az the hour of your meeting to-day venture
10 suggest that for the sake of harmony, my
church viii surrender the pleasure of entertaining
the Presbytery at their January meeting at the
Tabernacle, end that the Pres bytery meet at the
Classon Avenue Church. The brethren will please
bear in mind that my church and its pastor will
gladly welcome all tho brethren at any time they
may select TO come. SO far as there have
been any differences, let us bury them and
anew begin work shoulder to shoulder. We can
do no good by rehearsal of the past. With glOT-
ious Gospel 10 preach and Heaven opening before
our souls let US not halt for recriminations.
sending my cordial greetings to all the members
OF the Brooklyn Presbytery, hoping for you de-
hghrful occasion, and praying upon all our churches
the blessing of Christ, l am, yours in the work OF
the Gospel. i. DEWITT lALMAGE
Dr. Spear then added that no one would regret
more than he any discourtesy to the Tabernacle but
under the peculiar circumstances in which they
were and the advice of the SYNOD to promote the
ends of peace and harmony, he favored the change
He himself was desirous of healing up all wounds
his own and those of Others.
Or. Wells asked him to explain how Sir. Talmage
could send cordial greetings TO all the members of
the Presbytery. when he had charged some of them
with moral rottenness. DR.. Spear said hc had no
inspiration to explain Mr. Talmages meaning. but
he did not believe him to be hypocrte, and added
that men in exciting states of mind aud in anger
are apt 10 couch in words thoughts that mature
lection would suppress. The Rev. Arthur Crosby
sald that there was one member of the Presbytery
who had done more for the church than half a
dozen Others aud who felt deeply aggreved. lie
had written letter expressing his feeling, and Mr..
Crosby desired TO read it. After some discussion,
in which DIR. Spear raised pOnf of order and with
drew it, Mr. Crosby read the remainder of DIR. Van
Dykes letter. as follows:
IL is due to candor and TO your full understanding
of Iuy purpose 10 declare that II IN your wisdom
You shall pTefcr to let the whole subject rest in its
present position which TO my MIND Is thoroughly
disgraccful. il viii then become NV privilege aud
my duty in orderly way, TO retire IRON All con-
nection with the Presbytery.
am aware that YOU can transact no business in
this ease at this special meeting. make this com
munication as an excuse for auSence and In the
hop that this timely notice will secure ycur prompt
action at the next stated meeting Leaving tie
whole matter in your hands, and praying that you
may be guided by that wisdom from above which
is first. pure and then peaceable. am yours IN
Christ. HENRY >. 'ANDYKE.
The Presbytery then voted to meet at The Classon
Avenue Church next month, and the Rev. Charles
f. Lord read a resolution in favor of harmony and
peace which was not acted on before adjournment.
There Is considerable feeling among some of the
members OF the tabernacle IN regard to TINS re-
flanr shssrg rtrnn