New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-12
THE TRUSTEES VS.. DIR. RANNEY
DENYING HIS REQUEST FOR A MEETING.

*.
CHURCH-FrNANCEs-A FORGED LETTER
The trustees of the Madison Avenue Congrega-
tional Church met last night IN the church parlCr'
1t was an open meeting-the first ever held, accord
ing to the statement of one of the members. There
were present James II. Seymour. A. NC
OIL j. s. Cooley, Sheppard Knapp, j. K.
Breen, F. T. Hopkins and J. TIumbull
Smith. General Grant, j. Berlin and C.. Meyer were
absent Mr. Breen- presided. Mr.. Smith, read tho
letter from the FIVE deaeons presented last week,
calling for Il meeting at which only church MEM
beers should be allowed to attend. The objects of
the meeting were said to be-
First, the election Of church clerk; second the in
h 10 oba an tho
members OF the church to the desrabty OF the con-
tinuance OF the Rev j. T. Newmans ministry among us;
fourth. TO consider the Importance Of calling church
council to advise In present difficulties, and for the
transaction OF such other business as may come before the
meeting.
THE ANSWER or THE TRUSTEES.
After the letter had been read Mr.. Cooley laid
letter on the table, saying: "This is answer
TO their request" The important part of the letter
was as follows:
The Board of Trustees have fully and duly considered
your letter and your requests therein and reply thereto
l. You write this Board of Trustees majority OF the
have Ignored tue four other descons and our pastor all
members OF your board. This, however IL IN
since January 49, 1894, when you commenced this
cruel disturbance In our till then peaceful and prosper
had make should have presented TO the Of
fetal boards Of church. u then relief could not have
notice in proper TO the church and society This
has not been DONE nor ntmaton given to the Board
any Dissatisfaction existed the contrary the
oluton calling for the immediate dismissal OF our pastor
prcsonted-Without notice, except in secret 10 your
personal ffiendsat quiet meeting OF church members
who had no moral or legal to consider mt that meet
uO he psOlU
ular meeting of the Board of Deaeons proposed to
refer amy complaints might have 10 make the Board
of DeacOns and Trustees In joint session before bringing
them before the church and society. This motion was
lo7t by the votes OF you dive gentlemen Your requests
therefore, lack regularity and official dignity in the be-
ginning -
"members Of the church with the explicit UNDERSTANDING
and agreement that none but church members whose
names on the church roll shall be permitted to enter
the vestry where the meeting ia desired 10 be holden
Your requestthat should prohibit the presence of
those who contribute To the permanent support OF the
church at meeting OF church members especially where
subject to he considered touching their interests and
affecting contracts TO which they party-f acceded
to- would be violation OF our authority and subject orr
Gs denied ad@soH this Connection Your aten
ton Is especially called TO tile fact that not ali whose
the church roll can he considered members
OF our church Our state laws and our manual recognize
members of tine church and society only Those who
regularly attend tbs services and contribute toward the
permanent support thereof One years absence forfes
membership. II properly authenticated list OF the
legal members OF our church and society is furnished us,
we will gladly make provision for their meeting to dis
any questions affecting the welfare OF our church
g. You STATE az an object of your proposed meeting,
the election Of Church Clerk and the Endorsement
Push" This Board has full knowledge that these two
things have already been done at special church meet
ing called for and held on Thursday January 81 1884
Won five gentlemen were among those who called this
Thursday evening meeting There is possible doubt
that these things voted and carried at that
tnle aud that Mr.. Thomas Grills elected church
clerk, not uyen an opposing candidate being nominated
MP. Brush who unanimously reelected superinten-
January 81 fsSi was Endorsed al this TbuFsdav even
~
there Is no possible need Of again indorsing him.
l. You also desire to consider the Importance Of call
Ing church council to advise In present Difficult
e then you wish 10 transact such other business
as may come before the meeting" As to the council for
advice Board OF Trustees that there
is sufficient cause for tie calling Of church council
The unexpected unwarranted proposition to dscon
Dr. Newmans services to this church and society,
simply suicide tO tie church and destruction to
church meeting but It attempt to violate SOL
emu contract made by this corporation with Dr. New
man. and over which the church alone cannot exercise
any control. This contract was entered into May l,
lSS ana mas Deen ia force ever since and tne proper
parties 10 conSer TINS contrast are tne stated hearers
aud the pew-holdcrs OF the congregation. A special
ness as has been July let forth in the notice and undeT
the se OF regular business there cannot he considered
Board Of Trustees would refuse the OF the yestry
petition, which Is al best very dangerous and
tain and would lead TO acrimonious discussion tending
inure the best Interest," OF the Church and Society.
Finally the Board OF Trustees would repeat that untn
ne unwarranted attack tho pastor made nc the
church meeting OF January 6 1884 the AFFAIRS OF this
rch and society peaceful very harmonious, and
prosperous in every detail The entire blame for the
present disturbance should fall where it from.
The Board OF Trustees therefore respectfully declines to
accele to your request.
As Mr.. Smith began to read the letter, Mr.. Hop
kins asked who had hcen ordered to reply 10 the
letter presented last week. He told that the
present letter was the reply.
Mr Smith (reading)S THE Board Of Trustees have
fully and duly considered your letter and your requests
therein. and reply thereto.
Mr. Hopkins-Wbo Tcpliesi
Mr. NcOl-The majority Of the Board Of Trustees have
read this letter and approve It.
Mr. Hopkins-It ia not legal
Mr. Nicoll-IOu viii find 1t Is legal
THE LETTER ADoPrED.
When the letter had been read SIr. Hopkins
moved that it be laid the table, stating that the
answer was not warranted by the State law nor
the clurch rules. and added,
The facts contained in It not true. Those who asked
for the meeting have right under the church manual to
call for Any number Of members of the church have
such right Under the existing dlhcu ties they thought
1t best have a council called 10 TO that IL
you had properly considered the manual of the Congre
Mr. SEYMOUR move that the letter be adopted az our
answer, and copy OF it sent To the gentlemen named
Upon the calling of the roll all the trustees voted
"aye" except Mr.. Hopkins, who said MOI The
letter was then handed to him to give to Or. Ran
ney.
Mr.. Knapp-1 don't see how It would be possible to
grant such request they made. Should we stand with
club and thus prevent pewholders from attending the
meeting
CONFIDENCE IN TIRE PASTOR.
Mr. Cooley then said
Iwish to present copy OF circular entitled "a Plain
Statement Of Facts by Four of the Five Original Com
ittee appointed by this Church and Society December
2s 1851 to call DR. Newman to the Passionate Of the
Madison Avenue Congregational Church. and that it
be printed In full In minutes
Mr.. Hopkins objected to this being done, as he
said it had been printed and circulated By self
appointed committee Printed in red ink at the
end OF the Statement the following letter
written to Dr. Newman on last Friday:
DEAR PAsToR We have sent the above to every mem
Der OF church and society whose addresses could be
obtained from records. We have also sent copy to
the Board OF Trustees, the Board OF DeaeOns, and
the clerks OF the society and church, with
our written signatures attached, and have asked
that the be placed record for future refer
ence. We take this opportunity Of assuring that We
consider that you have carried In letter spirit