St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-13
DR.. NEWMAN'S CHURCH.
The Disturbance Caused by a Number
of SOreheads Who Cannot
RIM Him

NEW YORK, March lZ.-l1 Ine COugregd-
tional council to-day, Deacon Foster, an ad-
herent of DR.. Newman said the books showed
the pew rents as great as last year, and as
ever before. He then argued, that the only
authority that could call pastor was joint
meeting of church and society. He proposed
to prove that the meeting called at DR..
Ranney's house, was illegal, null and void,
that it was attended by weak, factious min
ority, that the pretensc for calling it had no
solid basis of fact, and that the precedent of
such practice would be harmful to the
church. He argued these propositions at
length.
He said Dr. Newman had been faithful to his
pledge, publicly given. This church is as near
being non, sectarian church should be and in it
are Christians of all denominations and all who
believe i'll Christ may find therein home. Not
a word or act is mentioned in consistent with
his pledge, and yet from the factious deacons,
who have headed this conspiracy, has gone forth
the statement that he made an attempt to change
the government of this church from Congrega-
tional to Methodist, same form of govern
mont. We affirm it is entruce; of it, proof has
been can be given. DIR. Ranney has publicly
asserted that DR.. Newman has
reported the statistics of this
church to a Methodist conference since
he became our pastor This assertion is untrue
Similar false statements have been made as to
the income of the church and the character of
The congregation. False statements have also
been made as to the church manual, of their il
legal proceedings. The trustees of the society
had also been charged with usurpation and I'M
lawful authority over the property of the church
All these statements are untrue, and have been
made to influence and gather together those who
have long since left the church, to aid in carry
ing out their assault ON the pastor Deacon
Foster suggested to the council that the personal
record of DR.. Ranney as connected with the
previous pastorates of the church, should be
considered.
Mr. Abbott called attention to the petition
signed by the alleged pew holders, asking DR..
Newman to remain, was made up of ''multiplied
names,'' that all the names of one family were
used, old or young, and that many signers had
only single sitting in pew.
Cr. Ranney said that during DR.. Newman's pas
torate the people came to church they would
go to the theater to hear lecture, and he denied
that DR.. Newman ever notified him of his accept
ance to the pastorate as DR.. Newman claims he
did.
The moderator remarked that DIR, Newman was
ready to be heard on condition that no questions
would be put.
DR.. Newman was invited to the pulpit, from
which he made his address. He thanked the
council for the courtesy and said he was not the
defendant and would not discuss the merits of
the case, nor make any personal allusion with
one exception 81 can only look with sadness
upon the injury this church has sustained by rec
ent events, and shall always regret have been
even the occasion of such q result. The personal
allusion desire to make is, that inasmuch as the
press has seen fit to herald this
episode as church quarrel, l
would say that during my two years
pastorate, / never have spoken an unkind word
of any man in this church. Concerning the
Rev. w. r. Davis 1 would say l have no
knowledge of the facts therein contained. What
ever feelings l may have for Wesley r. Davis, /
have long ceased to respect that Methodist med
der who brought that letter here" DR.. New
man told how he had given upa literary life to
take the pastorate here. Outing that passionate,
he had administered the affairs of the church in
the best interest of Congregationalism, so far as
he knew how He liked Congregational methods
He would rot change the complexion of
the church if he could, and he could not if he
would. All persons making application
for membership knew they were join
ing a Congregational church. DIR. Newman
said he had remembered, with one exception, the
reappointment of all the old officers whose terms
had expired. He had esteemed himself the legal
pastor of the church, in view of the state statute
and the manual. He had understood that some
of the most eminent members of Congregational
ism considered the Installation only form
81 believe / remain pastor of this church with
the concurrence of those who are members of the
church. Convince me that am wrong and my
resignation will be handed in before the sun goes
down. DR.. Newman then solemnly declared,
with his hand on the bible, that he had never
thought Of spoken of, suggested a change in
the church to Methodism. He was not dependent
upon his salary at the church. but he would re-
main with some of the members of the church as
long as he lived After DR.. Newmans address
the council went into executive session.