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


Rebellion Against the Confer
ence-Another Ryland Chapel
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
bershfp, and formerly 1t was OF f1nanci II I'M
portance to the conference. as Its contributions
were liberal and it paid its pastor S., 900 year.
1t, however, gradually reduced the preachers
pay. until last year it was able to pay the Rsv.
George Lansing Taylor only $1,000, and the
trustees said that they could not guarantee his
successor more than $500 for the next year.
The contributions 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
~ to the polity OF the Church. the johnson
street brethren concluded that they would do
Likewise. Accordingly, they arranged with
E. Church. which Is in the New York Confer
ence. to become their pastor, and a committee
was appointed to see Bishops Wiley and bow
man, to arrange for Mr. Hargrave's transfer.
Bishop Bowman acqulesced but Bishop
Wiley refused to permit the transfer and was
very decided In lis answer to the com olitGee.
Bishop Wiley 8 reception Of the request, and as
The plan could not be carried out without his
assent, the committee passed resolutio as. which
were sent to the bishop. These resolutions,
which the bishop said were reoellious, Informed
him that the church had made 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 "
York, as the pastor OF the church, while Bishop
Bowman sent Mr.. Hargrave back to New Platz.
The trustees determined not to accept Mr..
Reeve and on Friday they telegraphed to Mr..
Hargrave to come down. Mi. Reeve reported
TO the church on Friday night to conduct its
ton, and Brother AmeS conducted the services.
Mr.. Hargraye arrived late and 1t was agreed
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, az q fully attended
meeting OF the members of the church the fol.
lowing resolutions were passed:
Whereas, 1t 10 our AMI nous conviction that the
johnson Street Church has suffered cruel and OPP
and others and '
r is d9s to our and tho
c.u.e Of the Master general that we resist sacn
'rS ws s
at previous meeting, and that will carry the "a
Ps o he On sse T.
second. by withholding our means from the sup
ReS Of y y sa
of cur pulpit st the earliest possible day.
Inc meeting instructed It's CHAIRMAN Mr.. X.
al. 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. F. r seve.
The outgoing pastor, Rev. G. L. Taylor, refused
TO surrender the pulpit to any one except Mr..
Reeve, and. IL Is said, favored police guard for
his successor on Sunday morning. but this su p
gestion was not carried out. When the recall.
eitrant trustees saw Dr.. Kettell and Mr.. Reeve
In the pulpit On sunday. some OF them stepped
tell down Informed him that they would
not accept Mr.. Reeve as their pastor, and
that II he remained lie would get no sal
airy. The presiding elder said that the Or
ders Of the bishop must be carried out Rev.
Mr.. HargraVe arrived with Brother Quincy.
and went Into the pulpit. which Mr.. Reeve
cont1nutd to occupy. NJ. Reeve whispered to
MIN that he intended to hold the fort, and IN at
Mr. HargIaye might as well yield without ask.
Ing scene, and MI Hargrave retired. TIE
PRESIDING elder addressed the congregation.
and ADVISED the church to obey the Conferences.
The Rev. Mr.. Reeve preached upon .'Cnr,stIan
Work." and said that ne would not remain ia
the church ten minutes Ii he Thought he was
not TO have the hearty cooperation Of the
members. WV
The trustees are determined TO have Mr.. Har-
grave, even II 1t Is necessary to make their
church independent. There was coas,IIta-
ton last night as to what should be the next
step, but SO far nothing definite has been de.
termfned upon except 10 hold out against the
bishops appointee, and to refuse TO pay MIN
any salary.-N. 7. Sun, April19.