National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-02-01
TROUBLES OF A GREAT PREACHER.
Efforts Off New York Presbyterian Church
IL. InI.n A.rnr u XNn.I.i..ntn.. Ln.tn..-

to Take Away Washington Pastor.
The Rev. John r. Paxton, of the New York Ave-
nue. Presbyterian Church. recently had call from
the Forty-second Street Presbyterian Church Of
New York city, with an offer of twelve thousand
dollars year. He Is paid five thousand dollars
here, with commodious parsonage, which would
rent for fftecn hundred dollars lie has great
need Of either rest or change to build up an over.
strained nervous system, and thinking this his OPP
portunty he rather impulsively concluded TO go,
and, being pressed for an answer, he telegraphcd
n favorable response to the New York church.
His own congregation made such demonstration
as to convince him that his departure would be
against the will OF all, and he wrote 10 the New
Workers asking them to release him. This was re.
fused and he was assured that they would appeal
to the Presbytery for the enforcement Of the &C.
ceptance. A meeting Of his congregation was
held last evening to consider the subject and not
witbsanding the condition of the streets the
spacious vestry room was crowded. many being
obliged to remain standing during the entire
meeting Rev. Mr.. Biitinger presided. The rev.
orend gentleman made his statement Of the case
and withdrew, that his people might deliberate
The following resolutions were introduced by Hon.
II. II Wells:
whereas this congregation has been informed that
our pastor, the Rev John II. Paxton, has re eivcd
call to another field Of labor, which he accepted with
GS SEs oE wn i ho y thus 9knE
convictions and considerations relative thereto
Rcs9tred That the severance of the present reln-
tons between us and our beloved pastor would make
That our attachment to him personally and our
desire TO promote his personal preferences aud
welfare would not permit us TO take any step which
would seem to ohsruC the attainment of his personal
wishes his highest good but that there are, It
appears 70 us grave, nay imperative considerations,
| ton from thus church and people
That the recent enlargement of our house of wor.
| ship was made necessary by the increasing mum.
/ bcrs who sought the benefit Of his teaching aud
eow 9rynS OF c 3as wSTS Hd 9 on OF ms
such.prcparnton has been made fills our minds with
That the church has been preserved in It's unity
and efficiency for Christian work, but believe hfs
result Of lis iabors already achieved Is small com mn
pared TO that which will be realized by his contin-
That the blessings of God which have followed his
nhors here attest not merely the jealous and faithful
locations and gifts fitting him for this particular field
AT this Time and TINT grave responsibility Is IN
yolvcd IN sevoring his pastoral relations With this
which affords so broad and such favorable oppor.
UNITY for him to speak TO- and touch the hearts, not
oil large resident congregation merely but of repre-
sentative ana influential minds from every part of
aud many distant communities the good and lasting
impressions whicl,, by The power Of his preaching,
| are made upon them here, thus extending his In
ilucnce far beyond the scope of ordinary church
RCs6ircd That in view of all the facts which have
marked thus far the mission of our beloved pastor
IN TINS place and Of the uncertainties and hazards
which would attend n change from one who knows
50 well our needs and has so successfully carried on
the work of the ministry here We as congregation,
are consranedit TO refuse consent to his transl-
ton to another field; and we hope and pray that this
expression Of maturcly considered refusal part
with pastor who has done, is doing aud Is partcu-
larry fitted to do so much Tor the cause of Christian
| religion from this pulpit may be accepted by all
parties interested here and elsewhere in that cause
and In him, as friend pastor, desired for
pastor az sufficient proof that his duty and therefore
| this congregation at the National Capital
While we refuse respectfully nevertheless do II
duty not only to Tighten his abors as far as may be,
but TO do all in our power to sweeen his life Increase
fort and Joy.
These were earnestly advocated by Governor
Wells, Mr.. Ballahtyne, Justice Harlan, Auditor
Reynolds, Messrs COchTane, Bradley, Chester, and
| others, and adopted unanimously and enthusias-
| uenlly by rising vote. Mr.. j. W. Thompson
| offered the following with the approval of the
| trustees
Resolved, In view of the arduous and exhaustive
abOrS of our PASTOR Rev. John II. Paxton, in carry
ing forward the work of his ministry TO this church
aud people, II Is the sense of this congregation that
he have the usual time of vacation extended TO three
tees be authorized to pay him 81 go IN addition his
stated salary to provi In some measure for the
penses he may Incur In seeking the needed rCcupera
| ton aud rest
| This was also unanimously adopted The fol-
lowing gentlemen were then appointed to act as
commissioners 10 the Presbytefy If any occasion
| should arise therefor through the acllpp-nt rIie
| New York soeieJy- ine sGIl..ng Commissioners 10
sh9t 6ody: II. II: Wells, Senator Frye, Justices
..'Harlan and Matthews, of the Supreme Court of
the United States; General Dunn, Major Quatfe
| A. A. Hosmer, James E. Fitch, J. w. Thorn pson
| Mr.. Clayton, Auditor Reynolds A. c. Bradley
| William Baantine DIR. Il. NJ Gallaudet, Mr.. Coch.
rane, NJ W. Gait and William Thompson. Many
| of these gentlemen then proceeded to the pnrson-
age, and the resolutions were read to Mr.. Paxton
| by Colonel HOsmer, the secretary of the meeting.
II is to be hoped that the Potomac Presbytery will
| not be prevailed upon to take from Washington
| one of the most powerful eloquent, and manly
preachers In this country, which Mr.. Paxton GER