Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1881-05-26
A Quarterly Conference.

The st. John street MI. z. Church-A
Number of Leading Members Retiring
from the Church-NO Present Solution of
the Differences.
The quarterly meeting held at the St.
John street church was an important one to
the church, as its results involved the church
interests to marked extent, the question
of healing the differences which
have divided this hitherto pros
porous church into two sides being some
what at stake. An interview was had with
some of the supporters of the late pastor,
Rev. Mr.. Barnhart who state the case as fol-
lows:
The quarterly conference was held at the
church Monday night in accordance with an
nouncement from the pulpit. The confer
ence body is composed of the trustees, stew
ards and class leaders. At this meeting the
anti-Barnhart side alone put in an appear
ance, except that there were two or three
from the opposition. There were two or
three in the meeting who did not belong
there, but whose presence was in accordance
with preconcerted plan. The meeting was
presided over by Mr.. Camp, superintendent
of the Sabbath school Steps looking to
harmony were expected from the meeting by
the opposition, and an amicable solution of
difficulties was hoped for. The regular bust
ness of the meeting was not taken into ac-
count, but instead the meeting summary
ousted the music committee, which had only
Just begun its term of Office, and had eleven
months more to serve, and since the meeting
notification has been given Mr.. Smith. the
organist, who succeeded Prof. Jepson, that
his time was up. After ejecting the old
committee they went forward and appointed
new committee, majority of which is sup
posed to be favorable to the reinstate
ment of the old musical regime. We
now expect that the old regime
will take the helm again. The proceeding
of the meeting was very irregular and prob
ably unparalleled in the history of the
church. There were about fourteen present
at the meeting. Those entitled to be present
who were not present include many of the
leading financial men of the church.
Another part of the business done was to
fill vacancies caused by resignation or remov-
al. Two or three stewards resigned
their places on the ousting of the music COM
mittee, and their places were at once filled
by the appointment of men who were sitting
by ready to fill the vacancies. They then
a week ago Monday night, who were elected
to fill their own vacancies. This was done
at late stage in the meeting, when it should
properly have been done at an earlier stage
Three others had been elected who were not
approved and there difficulty in the
way which accounted for this. If approved
it would give too many trustees. Further
it is claimed by the anti -Barnhart side that
one of the trustees is not a trustee. But &C.
cording to the discipline, the guide of the
church in matters of church government, no
trustee shall be elected from Office when he
is Joint security for money loaned, unless such
payment be given him as is required, and
the creditor will accept; and two trustees
were joint security for money and had not
been relieved of anything. The other three
were not opposed on that account The anti
Barnhart party claimed that they must first
eject the trustees and then relieve them of
their money responsibility afterward, but the
discipline says quite the contrary-frst re-
lieve and then eject. The Elder held last
fall, concerning one of the trustees who
joint security, that he was a trustee
not elected, but could not vote.
When what had been done at the meeting
became known, some ten of the leading mem
bers, who had borne heavily of the financial
burdens of the church, sent in requesting
their letters that they may retire from the
church, and more letters will be asked for
We leave them since they will not harmon
ize, but will insist on reviving the old cause
of difference.
1t was asked some time ago as sort of
test question what We could do if Mr.. Barn
hart should be returned by the presiding
elder. Can you sustain him if he is returned
Our reply was Yes, we can. We at once set
at work and in three hours secured pledges
for the amount of 81, 700 per annum, this
from 20 members, for Mr.. Barnhart's sup
port and most of this sum was represented
hIJt hn hov irf fIoi,-
letters.
With the present outlook of affairs the
church will lose fully one-half of it's fnan-
cial support and strength, and with this de.
pletion of strength it must be evident that
those who remain will have to be very liberal
to take care of the financial part in such
manner as will be honorable to the institu-
ton. These are the simple facts and Just as
the thing looks. They have reception to
the new pastor this evening, and it is very
likely that but few will be present among
those who have been loyal to the discipline
of the church, who were those, as we consid-
er it, who were supporters of the Rev. Mr..
Barnhart in the position he took. We met
two weeks ago on Monday night to rent
slips, and there was much confusion that
not single seat was rented. 1t was suggested
to the pastor in view of this state of affairs,
that the official board be called together to
see what could be done. His reply was that
he should not like to do it if it was to be the
signal for a new wrangle, but if it meant con-
Citation he should be glad to have it occur
But no meeting of the official board was
called, and instead meeting was called to
invite those who had been the most positive
leaders of the other side, of the opposition,
to make up ticket for the election last Mon
day night. This course we had not expected
from our pastor. 1t was well known to many
of the old officials of the church that the
Bishop and the two resident presiding elders
have expressed views in opposition to a
measure which would promote discord in
stead of healing the breach.