New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-09
DIR. NEWMAN'S TROUBLES.
CONSULTATIONS OF FRIENDS AND FOES.

CLERK SMITH REFUSES TO CALL MEETING OF
DEMONSTRATION FOSTERS VIEWS.
The members of tho Madison Avenue Con-
greEstona Church held two social meetings iast
night. One meeting at Dr. Ranneys house, ana was
attended by the five deacons who arc hostile toiDr rev"
man the other gathering was at Sheppard hhappS
house, and there were present Or. Newman, Deacon
Seymour, Deacon Foster and the other deacons, anu
trustees and several members Of the society VINO
friendly TO Dr. Newman. On February letter was
sent to d. B. Smith, secretary Of the Board OF DeAeen
asking him to call meeting OF the Board TO take paoo
last night at Dr. Ranneys house, on account OF INC
doctors illness The letter signed by Dr. J.W Rsnney
II. NJ. Cummings, y. g. Croker @. s. Palmer, and u b.
Meigs. These gentlemen assembled at Or. Ranneys
house last night and found tho following letter awaiting
them
Dr.. j. " Ranney and Others.
GENTLEMEN; herewith respectfully return your COM
muncaton OF the 9th inst. requesting me TO eau
meeting OF the Board Of Deaccns. such request being
entirely Irregular must therefore, decline TO comply
Secretary OF the Board Of Deacons,
Madison Avenue Congregational Churcn'
The five deacons and few friends spent the evening at
Dr. Ranneys house in discussing the situation Informally
They refused TO state what plan OF action they would
adopt in view of Mr. Smiths refusal to call the meeting
as That would be showing their colors to the enemy
They asserted that perfectly regular to have the
meeting at Dr. Ranneys house. and that there was no
rule Of the church, or OF their own body, requiring
the deaeOns to meet at any particular place. and they
asserted that Secretary Smith acting according 10
DR.. Newmans dictation.
The members Of the social meeting at Sheppard
Knapps house engaged in going through the roll Oh
the pewhOlders and members OF the society," and IN dis
cussng the attitude OF those the rolls in regard to the
troubles in the church. number Of persons VINO nau
been canvasslng among doubtful pewhOlders and MEM
bers Of the society reported that ten persons had left the
church since the trouble began who asserted that they
would not return long Dr. Ranney remained In the
church. Deacon Foster said to a reporter OF IhE
TRIBUNE:
The bylaws Of the Board Of Deacons say that meetings
Of the Board must DO held 10 the pastors study Iha mo
pastor shall preside and that special meetings OF the
Il why Secretary Smith decided that tho request Of tho
Eve deacons for a meeting DIR. Ranneys house
tbe manual "a. Of the church, which the
trustees have placed in the hands OF the printers 10
ary Ia placed the printing Of manual in the hands Of
the trustees Deacon Cummings also objects 10 the
amendment in that manual In regard to the persons VINO
are 0alled to vote ut church meetings. That amend
ment was proposed by Deacon Cummings hmseita meet
In regard TO DR. Newmans connection with the church
lot me say II the society consisting under the law Oh
the support OF the ministry by paying pew rents-lf
these persons, forming corporation ana legal person
tor OF tho church and society and he publicly accepts
that call; Dr. Newman DID, ApTi ~ l5e ana taen IN
fu accord with the provisions or law the salary OF mat
permanent pastor is fixed aud ascGrained ny inc society
at special meeting and aorward tatnod ~ Ine opd
he cornoration1 There Is no Inherent power In ire
sponsibe body interfere with the legal contracts OF
these pewholers come the church services and hire
pews hear certain minsteand they cannot Dc barred
out OF any meeting where their rights are Affected, ana
body OF people have any right to exclude them ana
then in epdTe manner proceed to violate the contract
these pewholders have made with tins permanent
PASTOR This is the defect, the fatal error
In the course adopted by Dr. R9nney. lie
nonnce the contract between the corporation and Dr.
Newman the church alone has no power to DO this
Dr. Eannry refuses lay the question before tho CopOr
alton where belongs aud the only body capable OF con-
sdering it. But Dr.. Ranney insists that even
INTO yet DR.. Newman is not the permanent pas
tor, because he has not been installed S a.
now practically abandoned In New-York state there
are 25 con gegaona churches and Of these only sixty
5se form Of installation while 133 of these
pastors are in the position as Dr. Newman
1.-THE Ranney faction quote DR.. Henry NJ Dexter as ai-
thority on church Matters said friend of Dr. New
mans a TRIBUNE reporter. Read this extract from
his Handbook of ConsreSauonaism, relative TO the
calling of an erparc council such Dr. Ranney pro-
poses to have need:
The right 10 call Sc pnrte comes into existence
only when a church ddBid0ed the relations " one on
such persons good standing So that they may commune
freely elsewhere however much they may feel injured
and oggrieyed they have no right TO take the case 10
other churches because they have nothing to com
plain OF far other churches are CON
cerned. Nothing Is common In church than
for "a minority which Is simply thwarted III some
cherished purpose because it IS not the majority but
which has suffered no impairment OF rights 10 propose 10
tic majority to leave their difficulties" TO council end,
when the proposition has been declined, to fancy they
have good for pGrte. Ihey have no case at
all The church has right TO ask other churches
do what Is It's own proper work, ana me aggIleVed
have no grievance which other churches be-
cause their relations with them remain what they always
have been. or course, church which desires advice
has always the right to ask for t. But church simply
have advice taken t. in ITSELF sufficient ground Tor the
calling OF an eT Pdrte council