New-York tribune., 1884-02-02
FOR AND AGAINST NEWMAN.
THE OPPOSING PARTIES IN HIS CHURCH.

| ONE SIDE TO CALL A CoUsCII-THE PASTOR NOT
To RRsIdS-pR. DIxTER's OPINION.
The Madison Avenue Congregational Church
trouble did not end with the adjournment Of the stormy
meeting Thursday night The leaders yesterday were
"a apart regarding the solution OF the difficulty
DR.. Rann.y said that council OF churches would he
called which would decide all the questions relating to
the church and DR. Newman. James p Foster denied
that council could be called to interfere in local quar-
rel lie said that Thursday night four men bad reso
lutons in their pockets calling for the expulsion from the
church OF Dr. Ranney and Deacon Cummings and 1t was
difficult TO prevent each OF them from Offering his reso
ton Dr. Ranney declared that he should remain in the
church until 1t sold or burned down. DIR. Newman
said that he dd not wish to talk for publication because he
was "pastoT OF all." When asked II he contemplated
rcsigning he said: "My duty 10 the church fOrbds II.
It hss occurred to to resign. Why should
or the present 200 pewholdcrs 120 have since
became pastor and Of the remaining eighty pewhoders,
can count more than nfty who among my wauDest
supporters am extremely sorry that this trouble should
arise but am that Il win work good 10 Inc church,
and think the eve OF religious revival
such good fellowship az exists among the
supporters of the church. Complaint has been made
because members OF the society who not members
of the church present ot the meeting last night
But when faction OF the church sought to break the
contract which the church and society made with me,
the pcw-hoders protested matter Of course"
James VI. Seymour the treasurer Of the church, said
that the twelve men who signed the call for
the meeting on Thursday did not fairly
represent the financial supporters Of the
church zone of them said he sent check for fifty
cents as his from October l. 1888 20 April l.
1884. Another sgner pays $50 year. but not in adj
vance, A third has occupied pew which cost hin S36
year, but he has recently made change sitting now
with another sner who the church 1913 1bave not
received dollar from two of them, while another has not
paid anything since October l. 1892 He IL indebted now
So Against OF the leaders there Is an assess
mont OF $52 so due the church. That is a fair
sample Of the whole list No. Dr. Newman will not leave
and financial support OF the compensation This scs-
sion will De beneficial to the church. IL s better to ex
pose and eliminate the bad element in the church than to
cloak 1t and deny that exists Several regular at
few days to show IA they say their desire TO support
It is a mistake" sad Dr. Ranney, "to call the sup
porcrs OF the church who disagree with Dr. Newman my
followers. About the first Of the year meeting was held
church Because Of the dissatisfaction existing we de-
cided since Dr. Newman was not our permanent pastor
church proper and to save the church building
as al or nearly all the equity in iE had been been
we would discontinue bis services was selected to
present 9e resoIqtiSni but wns did no! sg prepare pare
sen,ed very vitupersye spirit was manifested toward
me- and was compelled to d yndlcate nysec co Yes, the
tonalist churchi two pastors have been In
stalled In reply to go.tGa 9'er Ee G'n Eifor it. Henry
The Con0reqahonolis', and recognized authority on
been received which atirns every step that we have
After explaining the principles regulating the call Of
pastor by Congregational church, DR.. Dexer's letter
says: "If tho Madison Avenue Church be ConHe-
gatonal church there is only one way In which Il
can place any in its pastOrate. That way
involves three distinct steps, viz: FHst-The
church must forltaHy call the candidate to he
its pastor. Secoud-He must formally accept
the call and third he must be J0r5Gy nductcd to that
position by tire cOnseung actions OF an ecclesiastical
council OF Congregational churches and equally II 10
council be called he cannot become CongIecdtOn1uy
pastor Your second question il: "What the rights
ol an acting pastor not insialcdF To which | answer;
a has the rights tine sexton other servant
employc Of the church society hastO do the duty
assigned hun and receive therefor the wages !
agreed upon; subject unless engaged i9r |
specific period TO the right on hls |
side 10 resgn tor due notice. any time, and to the
risi on tine side church society after due notice
10 terminate his whenever peases to do sO
\ pamphlet hast been Published TO show that the |
church declined spiritually. OF tue 200 COngre
gaOna churches IN this state only fourteen added more
than twenty-five members I'm 1882, and among tese was
Dr. Newmans Only 81 pastors were installed, while lJZ
pastors were installed. Another pamphlet just issued
relates the facts attending the call Of Dr. Newman, his
letter Of acceptance and his public statement on Apu
30 1882, That he had accepted the invitation TO De te
settled pastor OF the church.