Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-23
REJECTING APASTOR.

A Brooklyn Methodist Church in
encs'A1othel "'f Rylan md o Cnneei
Affair.
There is dissatisfaction In the johnson Street
Methodist Episcopal Church, In Brooklyn. over
its treatment at the recent conference. The
church is large white frame structure, at
johnson and Jay streets. 1t has large mem
bership, and formerly 1T was OF f1nanci II I'm
portance to the conference, as its contributions
were liberal and 1t paid its pastor So, 900 year.
1t, however, gradually reduced the preachers
pay. until last year it was able to pay the Rev.
George Lansing Taylor only $1,000, and the
trustees said that they could not guarantee his
successor more than $500 for the next year.
me contributors and membership waned.
and the trustees thought that new minister
would build up both again. and, consequently
as more important Methodist churches were
arranging beforehand for their pastors, contra
ry to the pol1ty OF the Church, the johnson
street brethren concluded that they would do
likewise. Accordingly, they arranged with
the Rev J. 7; Hargrave, OF the New Paltz NJ.
E. Church, which Is In the New York Confer
ence. to become their pastor, and committee
was appointed to see Bishops Wiley and Bow
man, to arrange for Mr.. Hargrave's transfer.
Wiley refused to permit the transfer and was
very decided In lis answer to the comclit5ee
The committee was highly dlSpleased with
Bishop Wiley s reception OF the request, and as
The plan could not De carried out without his
ascent, the committee passed re5clutIo rs, which
we're sent to the bishop. These resolutions.
which the bishop said were rebellious informed
him that the church had mace its choice, and
intended to abide by 1t. The church edlflce, he
was told, was not held as are most of the
churches OF the conference, subject to the
latter'S control as TO the manner OF worship
and appointments OF ministers, but was decided
absolutely TO the trustees of the church.
Bishop Wiley ignored the resolutions, and
appointed the Rev. B. F. Reeve OF East Ne W
York, as the pastor Of the church, while Bishop
bowman sent Mr.. Hargrave back to New Platz.
The trustees determined not to accept Mr..
md fharv
Hargrave to come down. Mr. Reeve reported
to the church on Friday night to conduct its
evening service, but he met With cold recep-
ton, and Brother Ames conducted the services.
that he should be recognized as pastor, Instead
of Mr.. Reeve; that he should consent to as.
sumo to be the pastor. and that the Rev. Mr..
Reeve should be denied support.
on SATURDAY evening, at fully attended
meeting OF the members OF the church, the fol.
lowing resolutions were passed:
Whereas 1t is our AMI nous conviction that the
johnson Street Church has suffered cruel and op-
IIessiye treatment at the hands Of B;shop Wiley
II il % to and the
cause Of the sster 10 general that we resist sucS
treatment and assert our Independence: Therefore,
at previous meeting and that we viii CRY shen
out First, by the recognition Of the kev. j. T.
second BY Withholding our means from the sup
port Of the t .pp1Rn n OF Bishop Wey ard third
Of cur pulpit st the earliest possible day ''ee'''0n
The meeting instructed its chairman, Mr. r.
NJ. Quincy, TO sign the resolutions and send
them to the bishop and others concerned.
Presiding Elder kettell, having heard OF the
trouble, determined to carry out the will of the
conference, and early on Sunday morning he
took charge OF the pulpit with Rev B. T. Reeve.
Tine outgoing pastor, Rev. G. L. Taylor ref used
TO surrender the pulpit to any one except Mr..
Reeve, and, 1t Is said, favored police guard for
his successor on Sunday morhing. but this SUI
geStlon was not carried out. When the recall.
citrant trustees saw Dr.. Ketteli and Mr.. Reeve
In the pulpit on sunday, some OF them stepped
up to the chancel rail, and calling Dr. Ket-
tell down Informed him that they would
not accept Mr. Reeve as their pastor and
that II he remained he would get no sal
airy. The presiding elder said that the Or
deIs OF the bishop must be carried ont. Rev.
MI. Hergrave arrived with Brother Quincy,
ana went Into the pulpit. which Mr.. Reeve
him that he intended to hold the fort and that
MI. Hargfaye might as well yield with put ask.
Ing scene, and MI. Hargrave retired. The
presiding elder addressed the CONGREGATION
and ADVISED the church to obey the cOnference
The Rev. Mr.. Reeve preached upon 'sChrtstian
Work," and said that ne would not remain in
the church ten minutes II he thoueht he was
not TO have the hearty cooperation of the
members. OA WV
The trustees are determined to have Mr.. Uar-
grave, even II It Is necessary to make their
church independent. There was q cOas,ita
ton last night as to what should be the next
step, but SO far nothing definite has been de.
termfned upon except TO hold out against the
bishops appofntee, and to refuse TO paw him
any salary.-N. =. Sun, AprA19.