New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-13
DR. JOHN P. NEWMAN HEARD.
TIE rs INVITED BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

vxprAINING HIS RELATIONS WITH THE CIV
FINAL ACTION EXPECTED TO-DAY
The Congregational Council assemblies cb The
morning in the Madison Avenue ChuTch' Ino
members of the council and the aovtI Tbe
sentlng the two factions arrived promptly. nc
snectafors were more numerous than on Iuesoay'
cpn.isting largely of ladies' Among those occnpy-
INC hack seats we're the Rev. DIs. U. H. many
and Wilbur F. Watkins, Dr. Ea nN Wed and
strolled IN after the proceedings "eio 'P0"NU "
'o Deacon Foster resumed the floor. A pamphlet
entitled a Statement of Facts" was dlstrluhI9o
oiving the Newman side of the controversy. Inc
Grounds upon which the subsequent propositions
were based were:
~ That even II the exclusive church meeting which
,raiesscd 10 remove DIR. Newman legal church
meeting their action in removing him was esai a,l anu
contrary 10 laws OF the State and therefore null anu
G That the protested church meeting not legal OF
"a That the manner in which it was called and the
spirit manifested as wei as the meaSEt ossamSIpd To-
DO an unlawful act, and not the true MADISON Avenue
Church. -. oh . ,,n.,tD, ord
such action did exist but it's call was influenced py
statements and rumorS concerning Di th o
81 That such proceedings Of facous men are one OF
ocr o few factions men to gather elements OF dssa
fsf,con a church which would otherwise De peaccI'u
"und mat so many are dissatisfied. We are assured
that this Council could not do worse wore vii b pro
60 the churches than practically 10 encourage su' nv
Cccdlngs or 10 fail TO rebuRe them
Deacon Foster read snch extracts as he desired 10
emDhaszc Touching the meeting on Ja11d AZ ,so
said that the other side had recognized tIe h9Ooo
e. of bo,-inG tbc cali signed by the church clerk,
by the fact that F. T.. Barnes had visited INC otnCe
Of Mr. Smith to procure that len FshrSaTv IA
H. A. INC smith he'd not resigned his office.
tbouoh Mr.. Foster asserted that on January 81
Thomas Grill was elected. ,,... e n.
Foster 10 prove what was stated in his pamphlet,
be replied that he did not consider that the position
occupied nv the side he represented required nm TO
lint
facts as could be substautated.
THE QUESTION OF PEW RENTS.
Much interest attached to the amount of pew
rents paid by those identified with the Ranney
faction from April l, 1888 to April l, 1884,
new rents being paid semi-annually In adNance'
$40 g2 was the total amount received Deacon
CUMMINGS was sci down as paying no1 nv by S
saving that Mr. Cummings claimed 10 0wntwO pews,
for which he paid 81. 100 that in addition he had
advanced money to the society ana that the assess
ment on his pews unadjustcd on that account
Dr. Ranney represented as paying only $40 ~
statement false and said:
own m his church three rews for which paid about
81 GOO The arrangement was that we should pay on the
have been paving continually for everything that came
M Two those pews have been rented by the trustees
They Increased valuation about year aGO 10 Az per
cent and the receipts increased TO that extent The
money received from the rental OF my pews was rhe
enough Ind been collected rom my pews to cancel my
rental with the exception OF SlZoo
Or RanucV said that out OF 20 peW-nOlueIs only
about forty were church members. These came to
file church as they would go TO place of aInuse-
mcnt 10 enjoy lecture. He added:
The result Is that those church members who arc asking
and praying that may have he Gospel preached to us
are thrust into the streets
Deacon HOPKINS said that he owned two pews, for
which he held the deeds ~
the assertion that DR.. Newman had informed Dr..
Ranuey of his intention to accept the stated pastor
ate of the church.
or-lto,, I 49, /. IN
mini that II should been stated when and whore
was notified If he has notified me 1t was some time
that he had concluded to accept the stated pastorate
Mr.. Foster, of jersey City. wanted TO know if
there was any thought OF taking the chpIGh over
10 iudependency, and Deacon roster replied no.
Treasurer J. II. Seymour detailed at considerable
length the financial history Of the church. he
said the church records showed That Dr; kanney
RAYMOND, but Dr.. Ranney held the deed. Mr.. Ray
mond had paid the asseSsments Two other peWs
Seymour had been unable to find any
record of the payment Tor me me pews,
rom he pevs in his name From April Octo
borI 1883 he owed 81 , 90 which he paid. From
that date TO April 50 phi nsu ncen TCnue I
news occupied by himself Mr.. Seymour and others
were rented TO them by DR.. Ranney As Tor Deacon
Cummings TWO pewS stood IN lls name, Dut ne had
not maid "A dollar into the church since Dr. Newman
con,roittee arpointed TO communicate with
anot b"th sides had been heard The moderator
so;d that DIR. Newman had expressed unwilllngnesS
Ia be questioned during OF after his statement. The
committee had understood himto say that he would
answer all questions that were not calculated 10
lead him into personal CONTROVERSY, he question
whether additional arguments should he submitted
bv the one side or the other after DT. AcWllan had
hcen heard was discussed. When no motion was
pcndiDg Dr. Storrs addressed the chair u ne mod
orator after listening for some time, SAID " Dr:
M n11,t,oU iresnondcd Or Stor1. crisplv will
II. L., oh. frQft
lie proceeded and finally moved that when DE-
Newman had been heard the council should so INTO
private session. 1t was not carried.
DR. NEWMAN BEFORE THE COUNCIL
Or Newman was then conducted into the church
from an ante room. On his appearance there was
an Outburst of applause from the audience ms
was sterny checked by he moderator. who said:
This is the house of God, and no demonstrations will be
permitted
Dr. Newman. calm, though extremely pale, was
ohont TO speak when there were several cries of
the steps to the pulpit Approaching the desk, he
stood for several seconds silently looking at those
assembled. At last he spoke, TO this effect;
Idesire to express my thanks, Mr.. Moderator to the
me to present and make such remarks a. IN my JUG
ment would appropriate under the circumstances. l
am here rather to Tecprocate that courtesy
than AZ a defendant in the case. ! am not defendant
and therefore shall touch the merits OF tie case,
nor Shall make personal illusions, with one exception
What known Of the case is known fully by our young
and brilliant Deacon Foster aud the four brethren asSo-
c,ted with him. and what they do not know about II Is
not worth knowing, i do not know anything about II
that they do know, and they represent large nun
her % persons members OF the church and pewloders
and therefore, | consider that what l may
cay here, by yOur courtesy VIII no OF
general mature and such - shall commend
The ssmc to you calm Judgment 1inay be permitted TO
only look VIII sadness upon the H.
inv The Church Of God has sustained by this event and
while the cause Is with Others IL will always be sei
FOR me 10 know that have been even the occasion OF IT,
The RESPONSE oiity must rest with those beg TO assure
y0 mat the saddes thought to-day OF my heart j. that
which have mentioned What viii Oc the influence Of
IN, condition OF things upon the general mind and upon
the rising generation and feel that you are fully IN ac
cor lance with me IN that regard
The personal ausioa desire TO make is that inaSmuch
a. Inc press has seen herald this episode
church as = church quarrel u is only proper fOr 10
sty that have passed unElnd word with any
.nLer OF this church or congregation during my pastor
atr anu an of peace loving peace and pursuing It,
aud therefore il the Interests OF Christianity wish 10
ne he IL