New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-09
DIR. NEWMAN'S RESIGNATION.
HIS FRIENDS REFUSE TO ACCEPT 1T.


or THE MEETING-DR. NEWMAN SPEAKS.
Five policemen occupied separate pews in the
Madison Avenue Congregational Church and watched
with official Indifference the meeting Of the church and
society which called last night listen to Dr. New
mans resignation and to refuse to accept It, j. Trum-
bull Smith, clerk Of the trustees, wrote indusrousy
on the platform; Chairman Breen smiled benigDly
upon his 400 and odd friends from armchair; DR..
Newman toasted his feet sssiduousy in the church
parlor, and Deacon Foster occupying front pew,
caressed his watchchan anectlonatey. and after the
meeting over slapped Dr. Newman lOcuarly on the
back The sexton had taken the precauOn Of stretching
ropes across the pews and within these boundaries were
gathered the elect OF Dr. Newman's supporters Finally
after the buzz OF expectation had bsen bushed the chair
man raped big Bbo with his knucke3 and asked er-
Deacon Finck to lead in prayer. The exdeacon prayed
for peace and harmony. As Formally the minutes of
the meetings Of January and May 10 were read, and
DR.. Newman presented FOR discussion.
Then Deacon Cummings and read protest from
DR.. Ranneys friends who objected to tho meeting az
having authority to take action in regard TO the
affairs OF the church. and said that there had been no
proper call for meeting, and that the trustees had de-
cided that would be allowed to vote whose con-
tIibutiOns had not amounted to sum fixed by the
trustees.
Deacon Maston with an impressive gesture)-I move
that it be laid upon the table This was garfield
Il. j. Rogers-I protest against the meeting because 1t
the time place OF cOnyenlng.
Deacon MastOn (smiing)I that 1t be- laid on the
table. land it was
Mr. Dewitt epringng hs feet and facing the rear Of
church)-Those persons who opposed to Newman's
psstoratc will ctire HoOS cat calls and hissesl
Mr. Dewitt after walking up the aisle aud then stop
Ping Outsprcad hand and remarked thought that
this a Christian assembly, but from the Kisses hear
should think it nest of vpers." And Mr. Dewitt heard
laughter half way to DR.. Ranney's. There was
considerable disputing who should read Dr. New
mans resignation. After Deacon Foster had persuaded
him. superintendent Brush read the following in sym
pathetic voice:
DEAR BRETHREN: You will remember that May 10,
1882 you elected the permanent pastor OF the church
which position have sought 10 Ill as best could You
then o5nizcl yourselves as church nembers and pew
holders in this congregations as the DOdy competent 10
call pastor, and so understood your right and al
thoy thus to act That call Is recorded Ia the official
inmates OF Your body; In health Snd slcEnGss nave
titled Oiyc full proof my ministry before God mar,
and I'm the language OF 81 Paul: certify yon brethren
that the Gospel which was preached by me y not after
man. for neither received 1t OF man. neither was
taught IT, but by the revelation of Jesus Christi have
enledyored to luhl al the promises midt TO me com
miee who called in your behalf and have witnessed
with gratitude the growth Of our chuich But many VIII
January rs, Our peaceful and happy church was sur
and that without previous notice or ntimatOn OF any
kind and could not but esteem that motion as IN
that when You engaged me rs your pastor was not
member Of yOur church. but belonged to sister de-
tie church ut ANY time since officially requested my in
,tallation. Rui on March p, prominent Con2rega-
open a way tor bringing about an anlcdDe settlement
of the unfortunate differences which now disturb the
church" responded at once and met Ia my study
March DO he cane in behalf Of those who mad called
the recent eccesi'st'2t go1- ana at Wn2se meeting ne
request remain and Ue installed This proposition
no less surprise 10 ne lHAh %' ine motion 10 us
Gon TO lessen the clic.cnC OF my ministry. In this
could how thy could ask me to become Their IN
stalled pastor ana continue a. be their spiritual teacher
mt il ncrrc could they consent 20 Doe associated
with me i'm hoiy sJc'amruts Of the churchf For
there is a place earth eis nearby IS Indispensable
II l. in the ordinances Of tue house 81 Ia" Lord
But the time has come when should place at your
to me now nearly two years ago. And would have
rendered my resignation NJ an earlier GATE lad II not
been for tie earnest opportunities ef to>e VINO repre-
D. large miorltle- tie spiritual ana hnaicai sup
port of or church VINO l"l caiint upon me III Ine IN
tercss of truth ana Ju~ice ana whose detOut spirit
toward and enthusiasm for His cause command
a a1G nG now ocT my S raaidn to take
effect May lS-i ana Tor the following reasons; o.
While il tpat friends represent 50 largely the
PtS the socl@ n'',noJ 49, r ~. ~, ~ =, 't ~
me that like di>cIeditIbe allan wAch disturbs the
'r SG 5,ti,yr tnc 1t,6r i. installed or not r51
While forgiveness is or hOuuden dIy yet confidence IN
Irib We love Is the work bl;a Of erace and o. time
30 And while no satisfactory cause mas yet been
signed to Justify the mttrUl ton " mat harmony which
80 on xsed among is SET IL TO bee feared that these
i-aicrtrd brother, have inflicted upon tE!s chGich
injury from winch lit cannon easily recover. IN Offering
yuu ms resignation let me thank yoL my friends, IRON
mi hcItt of love and gratitude for your devotion TO
christ your zeal for the church, and your friendship
Tor me. Yours in Christ j. p NEWMAN
II was moved that the resignation be not accepted
John c. Anderson and Robert ]. Wright appointed
eers and found that the vote stood 1913 In favor OF
lecng the resignation to mo- hing for its acceptance
There was a universal smile Of self graduation and the
chairman declared the meeting adjourned. Hardly had
me done So however, when DR.. Newman from the
A bv
ter and other friends He assembled the platform and
boved but 10 vociferOus demands for speech he said
offered my resignation withthe utmost sincerity in
the interest OF the peace OF the church, demanded
was convinced, by public opinion, for which | never
cease 10 cherish decent respect and with the approval
of NV conscience. Ii was against the earnest pro
test Of my friendstose who had stood by the church
come to reach q fnaly. | felt tho responsibility
was upon me, and in the fear OF God
resignation. 1t has been your pleasure rs understand
il to accept As . said TO R ts9sS 5d i SsW
stood so firmly by the church through this trial. and II
snail I've my happiness to devote whatever OF my time
and talents God me for their spiritual ana their eer-
nal welfare. "With malice toward none with charity for
all" never for moment chershng bitterness in my
heart hut night and morang earnestly praying for those
who have seen ut by word aud deed to lessen
S the sa Sd and %s anse Cherish That p
forgiveness which I trust is the prerequisite Of
vo INV be we'd brethren in tue church, to Initiate me in
This as sought to follow the Divine Master TO give
OF sukndness from your lips. but rather be united in
your hearts and standing by truth and by Justice and by
The church. may the blessing OF Almighty God the bless
ing that maSeh rich and maketh sorrow forever, be
YOURS Oh earth and yours in Heaven! Applause.
At the close Of his speech DR.. Newman announced that
numbers of persons desired TO become members of his
church. but had only waited to have this matter ended
After this statement the alton sang the doxo0gy
The opinions at Dr. Ranney's house were: DR.. Ran
n.v-" ne shall 90 to the courts" Deacon Cummings
He can't get any cOuncIn Christendom TO install him."
Trustee Hopkins" Illegal. my dear slr-lneetng OF no
weight haiever." Mr.. JOsselyn-" PhOO! phOO!"
In the church the sentiments we're: DR.. Newman-"I
was sincere In nv resignation" Treasurer Seym0ur-"I
have already rented eleven pews." Deacon Foster
Great success"
LIEN TENNIS IN CENTRAL PARK.