New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-19
REFUSING TO PART WITH 4 PASTOR.


DR. ELBERT g. PORTER TENDERS his RESIGNATION
BUT HIS. CONGREGATION REFUSES TO ACCEPT
One of the finest churches in the Eastern District
of Brooklyn is the Bedford Avenue Reformed
Church. at BedfOrd-ave. and Clymer-st 1t was
built ten years ago at a cost Of nearly Sl0O,OOO
The congregation Is large and wealthy. For thirty
years the pastor has been the Rev. DR.. Gilbert 81
Porter at one time Editor Of The Christian Intet'-
0cneer, of this city. mortgage of $4,000 rests
upon the church and there IS floating debt Iho
prospect of foreclosure of the mortgage unless inc
interest should be promptly paid recently led TO
careful consideration Of financial ways ana means
Dr. ,rtor decided that 1t would be best for the in
terests of the church that he should rosign hi
pastorate. Yesterday morning he made an address
in which he said "There Is one reason and only one
for my resignation. This reason does not consist
in any division among my people. We are
one Long as my pastOrate has been, nearly thirty
and one-half years, we have had no schsm, no FAC"
tion no quarrel Further, there Is no suspicion OF
an idea that the people want me away. do not
preach to unfrendly hearts. In the Re-
formed denomination no church has the reputation
this has. You may look in New York OF Albany, or
in the Western District, and find none TO equal IT,
From the pens Of many listeners here go out streams
of influence for good all over the land. LasJ year
this church gave $4,000 In contributions outside
q
that it was q miraClej no such an amount c0uu
have been raised in the Collegiate Church In New
York. ,o.. hoo,,
many meteOr-rnonsters who have flashed upon the
horizon, and the sensaIlon-mOngers nave hurried
after them but they have soon gone. If the indus,
tries of nv life have produced any scholarship and
knowledge of the Scriptures know there are per
who have listened TO INC Tor thirty years hnu are
satisfied. Now come 70 the reason OF my Ies'gn-
ing | cannot change the unalterablc laws OF hn-
man nature. II is natural to seek change. just be-
cause have been here thirty years think IL BEST
that should step ont of this pnpt am I sati IS
fed that a change will be a substantial benent 10
the church, and therefore Tesgn God forbid that
| should remain after my usefulness IS gone
could not be bought or hired to stay, THINK tnIs
one reason is inclusive conclusive and Comprenen-
sve. This decision has cost me much PAIN Atter
my announcement at the Friday night prayer
meeting met many friends yesterday, and they
caused me to waver ana doubt OUT VhiS morh'hR
resolved to do my whole duty" .
At this point Dir. Porter was overcome by MS
emotion that he had 70 SIT down, aiter saying Inao
ha could not preach Many in the audience were
weeping He then retired from the pulpit, ana ledt
the audiences room by side door Charles "
BarDes prominent member OF the church, spoke
i'm HIGH terms of the pastor, and then referred TO
the financial affairs Of the church. He said
"A committee was appointed two weeks ago 70
repOrt on the finances of the church. Their report
showed that outside Of the funded debt there Is an
amount due of $4,000, Nothing abont TINS mas
been done at the meetings Of the church held last
last week, and If strong appeal Is not MADE
nothing will be done tomorrow night. ~ Ut;
Porter has rendered his resignation. Shall
see E our doop pastor go i s@von or peeh
wears ago the hOatIng debt $4,000. and three
wears ago IL was $4,000 now 10 is only SB,ZO0:
Why is not our pastor heartily supported hnd u
not, can he do otherwise than he has donef We
shall be very ungraefnl II we LOT him go. His days
OF usefulness here not over. We Will not LET him
4 church meeting was then held to decide the
oucstion al once and a resolution not accepting tue
resignation of DR.. Porter was adopted