Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-01-08
PAsTok NEEDHAM RESIGNS.

PASTOR REEDHAM RESIGNS.
HIS Ministry Closed in Three
Montha-Delaware Avenue baptist
Church bankrupt and CLOSED for
want OF Fnnds-A Divided COngre-
cation.
The congregation Of Delaware Avenue
Baptist Church in attendance upon
Sunday mornings services were given q
surprise by the pastor, George c. G.Needham,
who, previous 10 announcing the text for
his discourse, read his resignation as
pastor Of the church.
Only the officers Of the church had
anticipated any such movement on the
part Of the pastor, and the announcement
sent murmur Of surprise through the
congregation. The pastor stated in CON
neotion with his retirement from The
church that his action was neoesaitattd
by reason OF the congregation being
unable to meet its financial oblig ations,
and that he could not conduct
services In q church so Handicapped
with creditors. There was considerable
discussion among the members concerning
the pastors action during the day, and
in the evening after the regular services
church meeting was held. None hut
members Of the congregation were per-
mitted to remain, and . GAZETTE
representative was among those obliged 10
retire. The proceedings Of she secret ses-
sion are oaretnlly guarded from the public
but from PanooAst Allen. the moderator,
IL was learned that Mr.. Nsedham's resig.
nation was accepted and that Il had been
unanimously decided to close up the
church for 80 days, during which time
the payment Of the debt. II at the end
Of the specified time the necessary funds
are not raised, 1t Ia probable that the key
will bs turned over to the holder Of the
$l6, 900 mortgsge on the property, and he
can ssll or dispose OF 1t as he sees best.
j. Il. Appleby, the treasurer OF the
church, declined to make any statement
concerning Sunday nights meeting. He
gave as the floating indebtedness Of the
church nearly $2, 800; he believed that
the congregation was unable TO raise the
money. The resignation Of Mr.. Need
ham having been presented and accepted,
1t went into immediate effect, and his
ministry over the Delaware avenue con.
gregation closed with Sunday nights
service.
Other members OF the congregation,
who sided with the former pastor, the Rev.
IsaAo M. Hsldemsn, when Mr.. Needham
questioned some of his statements, were
interviewed. One Of the most con.
spicuous Of the party states that the
greatest indignation is expressed agai nst
Mr.. Needham for his action Sunday
morning in dessrting the church so I'M
cersmonicusly. He said Mr.. Nsedham
came here about thee months ago, finding
an undivided congregation number
ing $40 people. He received q
unanimous call as pastor, was
heartily welcomed by his predecessor and
had the united support Of his ooDgregs-
tion with trifiiug indebtedness OF 81 600
or 81, 200 on the church created by recent
improvements. Two or three weeks ago
Mr.. Needham publicly announced he had
provided for this Indebtedness, two mem.
bers profering to loan the money at
low rate Of interest for IL
months. He fusth stated that
he would see that this money
was raised even II he had to stump the
country all over for 1t, and now because
the congregation is back q month or so
with his salary, he oones in with his
resignation. Under Mr.. Haldeman's pas
torate the congregation has frequently
been called upon for money and raised all
that was needed in this case on
Sunday morning, and without hard
ship, The interviewed member
with much indignation, continued
stating that Mr.. Needham had never
been installed pastor OF the church, and
1t was freely rumored that he had never
been ordained as Baptist clergyman, but
has simply been preacher of the
Plymouth brethren. Probably, continued
the indignant member in a tone which
did not imply doubt, he did no.
wish to stand the test oi
an ordination which must surely
follow. The blame of the existing state
OF affairs oannot be put upon the oonRre-
cation as the ohu oh has had but two
pastors previous to Mr. Needham, and
they continued In the pulpit nearly 1C
years each, and there was greater finan.
oieFing required than at this time. II
this board OF trustees is unable TO ad.
minister the financial affairs OF the church
they should resign and make way fol
UtuCEb WIZ DA4s w hAt ulthNtO pDui
tion will be made OF the church property
the interviewed would NOT venture tt
predict.
Mr.. Allen, however, took rather
gloomy view OF the matter and felt thai
under the present financial depression
existing through all channels OF trade h'
did not see rauoh prospect Of raising tht
money TO permanently discharge tn,
debt. He also felt that 1t would bs a bst
time to put 1t into the market as ther,
was little probability OF It bringing any
thing like its computed value, 100000.
1t is we'll. known fact that there Is |
serious split in the congregation Of th'
church, and the factions have been pitttt
against each other 80 emphatioally thA
II is hardly probable that any reunitinI
process can bridge the cbssm
The cause Of the differences
said to have been Mr., Need
hams unguarded statements concerning
the ohuroh's debt. About q month sino
he oreAted sensation in church b,
announcing during public service tha
dsoeitfui and incorrect statements con
cerning the financial condition Of th
church, had been made TO him. The paste
did NOT name any person as havin
deceived him, but as Mr.. Haldeman hA
made certain statements to the pastor
the statement was inferred to be mean
as charge against him. The former pal
tors friends rallied to defend hi
against the charges and several excitip
meetings were held but Mr.. NeedhAl
could not be induced to name the Authc
OF his daceitful statements. Mr.. HAld,
man came from New York himself an
confronted Mr.. Needham and 1t isssai
the latter stated to him that l
had not referred to him as makir
deceptive statements. II is ais
stated that Mr.. Nsedham promised
make an announcement TO that effect In
church meeting, but never did II. N
Haldeman's friends were unwilling
have their former pastor, who made
many sacrifices for the oh urch's good, re
under the impeachment and have labor
with the hope Of clearing the matter n
but efforts In this direction have apps
emily more widely separated the I,
factions, and the aot Of dissolution l,
, night was the closing scene Of turbule
, three months' pastorship Of Rvangel
. NeedhRm.
/ Many OF Mr. Haldeman's friends reg
! that he did not know Of Mr.. Needhan
, contemplated resignation and the neo
/ sity Of closing the church, rs they
4 lieve his attachment for the oongregat
a and the scene Of his ten years lal
|. would have prompted him TO have
. tended financial aid.
4