The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-15
DIR. PERSONS FAREWELL
The Resignation of the Pastor of the
Second Church Finally Accepted.
A Spirited Meeting of the Congregation Last
Night-Frank Expression of Views
Upon a Much-Vexed Question.

Alarge congregational meeting assembled in
the Second Presby terrain Church last night, pur-
suant to a call, for the purpose of taking steps
toward filling the pulpit made vacant by the res
ignation of Rev. A. I. Pierson. At the conclu-
sion of short season of prayer, DR.. Person
read in extenso the reasons prompting him to
ask dissolution of the relations existing be-
tween him ana the church. The principal one
| of these was the failure of the congregation to
take any steps toward enlarging the church edi-
flee in accordance with the understanding had
with the pastor at the time of his acceptance Of
the call to Indianapolis. He then sad
81 find myself and my people at variance as to
the very principle of church extension. Very
many assume that a church edifice needs no en-
largement until the congregation actually
crowds into the street. held a radically diff
ferent position-that church enterprises differ
from other enterprises in this Others accept
enlargement when IL is forced upon them; the
church must invite larger audiences by increase
OF capacity. The reason is that carnal attrac-
tons draw the crowd, and for the sake OF Them
people will crowd into very limited room; but a
spiritual gospel rebuking sin and pride is not so
attractive TO the carnal heart that unsaved peo-
pie generally press into our places of assembly,
and limited accommodations supply plausible
pretext for not coming. Therefore, we ought,
nTst of all, TO provide accommodations so ample
that they may mud no reasonable excuse for stay
ing away; and then we must invite. urge, press,
win them to come. Hence IL Is one of my radi-
cal convictions that any church that does not
provide accommodations In excess of actual
necessity shuts the door to all legitimate growth.
The sentiment that largely prevails in this be-
loved church against enlarging until over
whelming crowds compel it. prevents agrees
sive work and risks a fatal blundef in the evan
geliZing OF our city population.
81 acknowledge frankly that, as conceive 1t,
It is only one part OF the lie mission to which
evangelical. l want, in addition to this, and as
help to this, to organize or reconstruct church
life on the following Scripture basis:
First, a higher life of pietY in church MEM
| hership; second, administration of church affairs
by cody men only: third. a simpler, more primi-
tive type OF Worship fourth, distinct, declared
evangeistIc policy; Nth, pews and siltings free
to all who come; sixth, voluntary contributions
| as n basis of support seventh, a training school
| for Christian workers.
"In any church like this, already organized,
all should hope to do would he TO try and
bring church methods and life into gradual con-
| fOrmity TO these principles. But If church
could lie organized on such basis from the be-
| ginning, an edifice built, plain and cOmmOdiOus,
for the people, made free to AL, and high spirit
ual basis OF worship aud work and life be main
| tained it would neither interfere with any eK-
isting organization. nor would IL fail to do a
work not now done In this city by any
of the existing churches. Such new
| movement, on just such basis, tt has been pro-
| posed TO start in this city. 1 never do anything
| of which am ashamed, or which wish to con-
| ceal; and If such an enterprise could, without
| envylngs or 1ealouses, be tnaugurated here and
| God does not definitely call me by clear tokens
to another field, should account 10 a privilege
| to take the leadership in such a work, provided
| the right persons were associated with me. BY
| snch a work. carried on in the spirit Of Christ,
every church would be benefited, and the power
| of such an example would be felt throughout
| the bounds of city and State. I know some of
those who feel deeply interested in the success
| of such an enterprise, and it is very unjust to
attribute to them tactous spirit in this mat
ter"
Upon the retirement of Dr. Pierson from the
room, Rev. L. G. Hay was called to the chair,
and stated that the question before the meeting
was as to the acceptance of the pastors resigna
| ton. The remarks upon this question took a
wide range, and there were evidences of a great
diversity of feeling. W. 8. Hubbard, of a COM
mttee appointed by a congregational meeting,
| last August, to devise and suggest some plan for
| church enlargem ent, obtained permission to re-
port from that body. which he did at some
| LENGTH recommending an extension of the
| building northward thirty feet and the interior
to consist of an amptheatrical arrangement,
| with a seating capacity of 1900, more. In
addition, the committee consisting of Mr.. Huh
bard, Robert Brow ming, G. =. Philips and g. III.
Shower General g. B. Wright, also a member,
| not having met with the committee nor
| signed the documenU, put on record
some severe anmadversions upon the
action of the congregation. saying it
| rests under stigma of Republication of promise
thar no Christian nor honorable business man
| would suffer TO remain.
This report was received and action postponed,
| the vote on this being considered in the nature
| of test vote and vindlcation, as it were,
| OF those in the church opposed TO charging the
| building.
| J. W Hadey spoke at some length, reviewing
| the subject of church enlargement, stating that
| promises increase the capacity or the building
| had been made to pastors Withrow and BARTLETT,
| as well AS to DR.. Person, and in conclusion ask
Ing why, If 1t was not the intention of the con-
| gregaiion to enlarge, these various promises had
been made.
motion TO spread his remarks on the min
| utes being in manuscript, Induced j. s. Spann
| to protest and challenge the alleged statements
| of fact, some of which he dissented from. II Mr.
| Hadey's views went on the record those of 9th
| ers opposed to them would be prepared, leading
| to contention.
D. +. Swain said he had attended almost. II
not quite, every official meeting held since DR..
| Persons call was made, and he Endorsed Mr..
| Hadley's statement. For himself, he had TO re-
greet that he had not taken holder stand In the
past in regard 10 this matter, and had allowed it
| to drift along TO its present condition.
H H. Walker felt called upon to accord to
| everyone the right to express his opinion and
feelings the matter, and to publicly repent for
| what lie had done; but for himself he was not
| conscious that throughout all this unfortunate
| affair lie had rrpudiated any contract or under
| standing e. piicit or implied, with DR.. Pirrsnn,
ana he wanted to protest against tia criticisms
| made upon the acion OF the church in The re-
port of the committee On enlarging the capacity
| OF the building.
Finally, however, by a unanimous vote. the
meeting agreed TO accept DIR. Persons resigna-
ton.
On motion of Judge Walker, in furtherauce of
| the oil ject of the meeting, a committee was APP
pointed ny the chairman. consisting OF Messrs.
| Walker, SpanB, Hubbard, Butler and Wright, 10
select and reporta commlttee on supply. While
they were gone the following resolution, offered
by A. j. Halford, WINS adopted:
| Resolved That the mrmbers and eOngrega-
| ton OF the Second Presbyterian Church view
| with regret the necessity that has compelled
| their beloved pastor and friend TO ask a dissolu-
tion of the relations existing between us as pas
tor and people; that we hereby testify to our
| confidence in and affection for him, and that our
| love and prayers shall go with him to Whatever
fields of usefulness he may IN the future be call
ed by the providence of God"
W. j. Richards said, in response to fear he
had heard expressed on the benches near him
concerning the future of the church, that no
dissension schism wOnd, in his
| Judgment, follow from this crisis. The tradi-
| tiona policy of the Second Presbyterian Church
| had been to move man IN the direction
pointed out by the will OF the majority and he
| believed It would be so In this case.
]. G. Hood, however, expressed belief that