New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-15
CALLING A CHURCH COUNCIL.
VOTING TO DISMISS THE REV. DIR. NEWMAN.


DIR. NEwMAN's PARTY LOCKED OUT or THE CHURCH
THE MEETING HELD IN A HALL.
Fifth Avenue stage stood in front Of the Madi-
son Avenue Congregational Church last night,
about half past seven O'clock. The building was
not lighted although Especial notices. in the pa
pers Yesterday signed by five deacons, hao an
nounced that special meeting was TO be held. In
n few minutes three policemen came up the avenue
and stopped in front of the church. A crowG began
to collect The cars let off few passengers at the
corner who Joined the crowd. Others left the cars
a block or two away and walked unconcernediy
toward the building, as if avoiding the appearance
of going TO a meeting held with oioseu
DOORS That the doors were closed was proved Dy
Peter Dewitt, a member of the Ranney faction,
who pulled open the storm door az tho main en-
trance, and tried the heavy door. 1t was Locked,
Mr.. Dewitt went to the vestry door and found that
locked also and the door leading to the church par
lors was rs securely fastened. Hr. Dewitt
informed the reporters that mot only
only had the Newman faction locked tie doors but
in order to prevent the jantOr from Citing up the
KEYS all the locks had been changed and the anltor
was told to call for the keys this morning.
At quarter TO eight carriage rolled up 10 the
church from FOrty-sIxth-st. On the box vas a
pair of crutcLes. The hum OF conversation was
hushed as the carriage door was opened and the
leader of the assembled party was assisted TO the
sidewalk Leaning on the arm Of his faithful rep
resentative In the Board of Trustees, DR.. Ranney
took in the situation at a glance. The NO sent
to the Board of Deacons by the Board of Trustees
meant "No.r Mr.. Dewitt informed the lead
er Of his fruitless search for an
open door, Many ladies stood shivering
In the cold, and although it lacked ten minutes OF
the hour appointed for the meeting, Dr. hanney,
with uncovered head stood on the stone steps
leading to tho church and said caiiniy y,
11EMEs II being impossible for to gain ndnittance
70 the church declare the meeting The
ladies and others who wish to ride VIII Do esleo ia INC
stages.
Quietly the crowd dispersed, DR.. Ranney was
helped in the carriage and the ladies and older gen
tlemen were carried in stages. One policeman and
two church members remained at the church to in
form late-comers of the new place of meeting
UNANIsnTY AT THE HARVARD ROOMS.
With that grim determination which characterizes
his surgical operations DIR. Rarney began to
climb to the Harvard Rooms. Two friends carried
him up the second fight, and "a he reached the
landing many hands were extended, welcoming him
back to his admirers after his enforced absence,
caused By a broken ankle. He took his seat on the
platform by the side of f. i. Barnes In
the room were over hundred persons
including two policemen sent, as they
said "to prevent any row." But their presence
was not needed. singular spirit of unanimity
prevailed. In the votes by reclamation which fol
lowed, not a dissenting voice was heard. Among
those present were Deacons Cummings, Meigs
Palmer and Croker. and Trustee Hopkins.
After prayer by A. c. Arnold, DR., Ranney, who
remained seated, saidi
BROTHEHs AND sIsrERs.-As long as my indispOFton.
prevents me from I1esdlrs viii you please nominate
chairnan1
Mr. Hopkus-I nominate II. ~ Cummings.
Mr. Cummings, IN taking the chair, said:
THANK you for the honor OF allowing pe TO preside
by only regret Isl that after membership o. nearly
twelve years are not allowed to enter our dear
church building.
f. E. Barnes made a report Of the last meeting
held on January 81. He simply said that there
were great numbers present who were not. members
OF the church and that DR.. Ranney, after yainly
trying to maintain order, dissolved the meeting
This report was adopted. 2. L. Barnes
elected Clerk Of the Board of Deacons by
accamation and Professor Charles B. Brush
was chosen superinten of tho sunday-school.
Deacon y. s. Crooker then offered the following
resolutions:
Resolred That the action Of tho trustees Of our society
IN refusing to altw ne memoS OF tae @Son Aye1re
Of church IN direct Opposition to the universal csom
and usage Of our denomination deserves our earnest con
R>solred That the Board OF Trustees have nothing
calling Of council OF sister churches and IN referring to
those matters as thry have done IN an official letter to
our Board o. DoacIo 9sS m ie
70 perseyefe Wan ali On titan humility IN tue attempt tot
regain iorogf members church, and ne firmly bind
VOTING 10 DIsMiss DIR. NEWMAN.
Trustee Hopkins moved that tie resolution offered
by DR.. Ranney in regard to disseminating the ser
vices Of DR.. Newman, which was laid on the table
at the meeting Of January 10, be taken from the
table. The motion WAS passed and Deacon Croker
offered as a substitute for the resolution, the fol-
lowing;
B,soI,ed That the best interests Of the Madison Avenue
Congregational Church requires the dscOntnuance OF the
Hey nc sVd ba we do heby discontinue his services
supply pastor after that date. GApplauseI
Dr. Ranney moved that the vote on the resolu-
ton be taken by ballot aud that the name and adj
dress Of each voter be recorded Messrs. Josselyn,
Palmer, Arnold and Thompson were appointed in
spectors of the election and the voting began. The
ballots consisted of narrow strip of white paper,
bearing the single word Yes" Deacon Cummings
statement that any one who so desired could vote
"No" was received with applause. as was also the
explanation of Mr.. Hopkins that a negative vote
is vote against the old church and its friends"
The vote was announced as follows There are
III votes cast of which 40 are for the resolution
and one defective vote. was cast against it,"
Long continued applause.l
The five deacons were appointed to inform Dr.
Newman of the action Of the meeting regarding
his dismissal from tie pastorate DIR. Ranney then
offered resolution calling for O council, which
stated that, differences having arisen between the
acting pastor and the church members, and the
orderly way for the settlement of such dilcultesin
the Congregational denomination being by a council
made up of pastors and delegates of Congregational
churches. "We the undersigned, members OF the
Madison Avenue Congregational Churc O., hereby
express our desire TO unite In tho calling of such
council at early day, for advice as to Our right
and duties in the preul SEES"
The resolution was adopted and on the motion of
Dr. Ranney il was decided that a committee of five
be appointed to draw up letters missive for calling
fhe Council, and to make arrangements for it, Dr..
Ranney was appointed chairman of the com
mittee, and at his suggestion z. s. Croker,