The New York herald., 1879-09-19
CHRISTIANS AT WAR.

NEW JERSEY METHoDrsrs DEEPLY AGITATED By
QUESTION OF DIscIPLINE-THE TROUBLE
CAUSED BY AN ovER-zEALoUs CLASS LEADER.
The community in Morristown. n. j.. dis
turbed just they have not been since ls4l.
when the pastor and rds of his congregation
seeded in a body from the First Presbyterian
Church and established the Second on a neighboring
street. That secession from the dispute on
Caivinism by the pastors respectively OF the church
In that difficulty and Of the church that is pres
ent in similar sea OF trouble. The dispute then
began in this place was carried to the presbytcry.
the Synod and General Assembly, until it eveniu-
ated in the separation of the entire Church in the
United States into tho Old and New School Presby-
terans The present difnculty is in the Methodist
Church, the wealthiest in town. and is outgrowh
OF the arbitrary and dangerous power placed in n
PASTORS hands by the "discplne' OF the denomina-
ton. His authority is so absolute that he can So
cure and maintain positive control of the governing
power He appoints all the class leaders-one for
every twelve or fifteen members in the church;
nominates the stewards. which that body confirms.
and through the influence OF his leaders elects
If not all OF the trustees. and is thus of
twothirds vote ut least ut the quarterly conference
He has the right to remove any class leader at
pleasure, and there appeal from his rulings.
power at any time disturbance in the fold or
even destroy q church utterly.
Through some such action the church here is now
being tried in the furnace OF public opinion, and
the result will be the secession OF portion of the
congregation and the establishment of new Meth
odist church. while in the future the action of the
General Conference tquadrennial to be held in
St Louis in 1880. will decide whether the question
raised here shall extend through the entire Meth
odist Church Of the United States and create q
schism the in the Presbyterian difficulty
mentioned above, especially in view OF the recent
attempts make pastor stationary instead of itn-
Grant. thus making his power all the more dan
gerous.
The Morristown Methodist Church faces the
'Green." and is ono of the finest edifces owned by
the denomination in the country. 1t has a member
ship of nearly eight hundred communicates and
comfortable seating capacity for 1.600 PERSONS and
until recently has been noted for its harmony and
unity of action. The rumor that the unnecessary
moval of class leader by the pastor after the ex-
change OF hard words had led to the secession
of more than hundred members. with the view Of
establishing another church. led the HERALD send
o reporter to investigate the matter. On arriving
at this pretty town he found the subject the general
topic OF conversation.
DISAPPOINTED AMBITION
During the administration OF Rev. DR.. D. w.
Partine As pastor there was in the congregation u
man of nervous, irsscible temperament, named
Samuel r. Osman. He WAS apt in quoting SCRIPTURE
generally pertinent to the occasion in his remarks
and especially fervent in prayer but i'll consequence
his peculiar temperament had not been selected
class leader. though appointed OF tho stewards
Eeng ambitious, he entertained some little feeling
on this head and at a church meeting one evening"
in ut Ct pque, when called by the pastor to lead in
prayer, declined to do so. Shortly after this
camp meeting at Port Morris led to stirring
revival, ana among the converts many employees
OF the Delaware. Lackawanna and Western Railroad
rough, unlettered but earnest men, who, determined
to AID in the reformation OF their follows Organized
as the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Christian
Association praying band. with Samuel r. Osman
leider.
Up and down the road Osman led his band exhibit.
ing and more his adaptsbilites for the
Meanwhile DIR. Bartine had left and was succeeded
by Rev. S. Van Benschoten, who SO attracted by
the activity of Osman that he offered him class
the church. saying. as he rendered him the book.
"You are just the man want" "But," said Os-
man, II do not like the system Of classes now
enthusiastically routine work with few mem
should be means of revival work, and unless get
tho privilege to 80 conduct it will not take the
ysaS yoa aodspesd Take n After ao%e little l
hesitation Osman did so and its numbers
from three or four sprang up to sixty-two in lour
weeks and eventually to an average attendance Of
! $50 persons. No classroom would hold the number
that attended his minisrratons he made applica-
tion ior the use Of the large lecture room. To this
the pastor said 'No." Osman then went to the pre-
siding elder, who ''saw earthly reason why tho
privilege should not granted" and by his innu-
ence the Quarterly Conference extended to the class
the OF that room. This the clarion note of
war. warm scene took place after the session in
consequence OF Osman's glorifying his victory
THE QUARREL IN THE CLASSROOM.
Before the pastor decided to take any action how
ever his term of service ended. and last spring he
was succeeded by Rev. s. L. Bowman. the present
incumbent. who at frst thought great deal Of o.
mans work aud encouraged him: The jealousy
among the other class leaders and the influence of
certain portion OF the flock then brought to
bear on the pastor. though its effect did not show
itself until an organ was introduced into the class
meeting.
Three weeks ago. at the meeting on Friday night,
Mr.. Bowman entered the lecture room and. assum-
ing charge, conducted It, Just before the close of
the service he stated that he had removed Mr.. Os-
man from the lead of the class, giving his main
words to the following effect at previous meet
ing 1--WE are poor and many OF sorry for it.
get to heaven. The wealthy Of the church are de-
spisng us aud are trying to push us out"
This created a scene at once. Osmau Indignantly
denied making use OF the words. IN which he was
corroborated ny many OF the class. and said who
ever had reported that to Mr.. Bowman was IL liar.
Mr.. Bowman then said he had overheard them him.
self. ''rheu." retorted Osman, "you have been
playing eavesdropper. Angry looks and more
angry words followed until members got between
the disputants and separated them. Osman declined
to give up his class bookthe emblem OF his author
ity-but. second thoughts prevailing. he delivered
1t up.
to build new Methodist church. and that is prob
ably the uext move, as fully one hundred and
twenty-five are ready to enroll as members. They
all in the poorer walks OF life, but what they
lack In worldly effects IL moro than compensated in
their wealth OF faith and religious energy. In
to verify the truth OF the sketch gwen above tho
principals In the affair each visited by the re-
porter.
THE PASTORS STATEMENT.
Rev. s. L. Bowman was found in his study putting
the finishing touches to a sermon. When Informed
of the object of the visit no expressed the greatest
surprise, and. courtcously Offering seat said: ~
sorry cannot be interviewed on that subject:
the matter is such state that cannot have any
thing to say
"Are you. Mr.. Bowman. now in charge of Mr..
Osman's classv'
"I am. 1 relieved him Of his charge. which. as
pastor. had the right to do"
Were there any charges against Mr.. Osman that
led you to take such stepY
There had been trouble arising from his class,
ard the evidence was such that deemed IL my duty
to relieve him"
'was that evidence rejecting on the moral worth
OF Mr.. Osman, or did 1t IN any way tend to inture
his characterr'
mo: it only q matter Of church poity-a
mere question of discipline"
"what do you propose doing with Mr.. osrnan?"
81 cannot say No charges have been preerred