Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-04-09
Not. For Money.

The Church of the Msssiah-The Rev
MIR. HoughtOn and Ris Views Regard.
ing the Church's Action.
A reporter of the JOURNAL AND CoURIEI
visited the Rev. Mr.. Houghton at his pleas
ant residence, 10 Orange street. last night
to get his opinion on the action of his church
in Diminishing him.
''I understand. Mr.. Houghton," said the
| reporter, that you were dismissed from your
church last night. Was this action sur
prise to you?'
''No, not altogether surprise. was more
or less prepared for it."
''What do you think was the cause of the
church's action?"
''Well, asked for vacation, which I sin.
csrely desired, because I am very much in
need of it. That has all been in the papers
already. Some opposed it thinking they could
not rent the pews SO readily if I wasn't with
them at the beginning of the year. don't
know that there was any personal i'll feeling
think the majority of nay church attendants
are my friends. They could not support me
by their votes at the meeting for this reason:
OF the twenty-seven who voted for my dis
missal more than half have given no support
to the church since my connection with It,
They were members of the society who had
no pews in church. Yet their names were on
the books and of course they had vote My
friends were mainly pewh0lders, only IS OF
them belonging to the society. Now, certain
people Who are opposed to me because be-
long to the more liberal wing of the Univer-
salist church canvassed these people who had
no peWs but had their names on the books
and brought them out in full force. Their
votes dismissed me.''
Eyes, my friends are influential among the
psWholders. They constitute the moneyed
interest in the church. One point I wish
you would lay stress on is the motion which
was brought up at the meeting last night to
retain me on a smaller salary. This was
done without my knowledge or consent and
was opposed by my friends. I had already
stated that would not stay on smaller sal
airy, if that were to be the condition of my
staying.
'sMy plans are not settled. shall make
New Haven my headquarters and spend the
vacation I so much need in visiting various
places on the coast and shall also go to Sara
togs-
s.AIy impressions of New Haven and its
people are very pleasant. My charch society
has always treated me with the greatest kind
ness and granted all my requests hitherto
shall be here more or less No, have no
idea where I shall settle. don't anticipate
any difieulty about that. Since being in
New Haven have received four calls to go
elsewhere. The prevailing opinion among
those have met to-day is that the church |
has greatly injured itself by its action, but |
has not injured me. As said already, the |
moneyed portion of the church are my |
friends and many of them will |
cave the church. Several of them |
have told me that if ! would start az
society great many would sup. |
port it, but haven't given the subject any |
thought gentleman told me to-day that this |
opinion is gaining ground. Many of the /
,hurch think that my hard work at the late
bazaar was not appreciated.
''Do you think, Mr.. Houghtop, that the !
wo Universalist churches of the city viii
mite, or that any of your church viii go !
o tha otherIa
mo. My friends DECLARE they viii go !
Nowhere. don't think It at al probable
hat the churches will unite. One is too or
hodox for the other My church is liberal,
is doctrines tend more toward Unitsrianism
IN the mstter of Christ's divinity. 1t believes
n tbs unity of God. The other Universalist
,hurch OF New Haven inclines toward erEho-
ioxy. have not heard of the intention of
he church. do not think they have any
me in view as Jet to take my place.
4