New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-28
THE PHELPS MISSION TROUBLE.
WHAT TRUSTEE VAN RENSSELAER, SAYS.
MR.. STOKES ALONE IN HIS OPPOSITION TO THE
PROPOSED CHANGE

AFR. STOKES ALONE IN HIS OPPOSITION TO THE
PROPOSED CHANGE
The action OF W. f. Dodge Stokes. one OF inc
t,ustees OF the Phelps Mission ana n Frnhuson Va
Anson n phelps in memory OF whom 1t was founded,
IN suing the other trustees. all OF whom arc "Aoeu
20 him he birth or marriage. for an Injunction 70 pro
vent the proposed consolidation OF the mission WIN
tho Eighty fourth Street Presbyterian church, Is
spoken OF by them as an unwisc ana iSeneceuai
measure.
Kiliacn Van Rensselaer,, ono Of the trustees, was
seen at the house OF the counsel for the mission,
william L. Snyder. No 10 West Eighty seventh st.,
last evening. He said: eve have found proper
and legitimate mode, sanctioned by statute, whereby
to dispose OF the property Of the Phelps Mission and
to devote IL to the and purposes for which II
was designed to be used. Various plans have been
from tine to time proposed which have hiled for
various reasons Nearly year ago COMMITTEES Of
tho trustees appointed TO devise some means OF
placing the Phelps Mission under proper admins-
tration, In tho caro- OF some church which was able
TO carry out mission aud religious work. Mr. Al
tsrbury never made any proposition TO the Pnelps
Mission to unite with his church at ALL Tho truth
Is that propositions made TO two other
churches, but reasons beyond tho control OF the
mission these propositions came to nothing. Out
side persons suggested THAT t might DO well TO con-
solidato with the Eighty fourth Street Presbyterian
Church, In view Of the fact that that body was en-
gagged In religious and mission work, and afforded
letter opportunities and better field for mission
labors than any Of the churches previously men
toned Al OF the trustees save Mr.. Stokes heartily
concurred in the plan. Tho committee reported AT
n regular meeting OF the Mission on Octoter ID. Of
which more than ten days nouce had been given
/ ersonaIIy 10 each trustee, In accordance with the
l,y laws of the mission, which meeting Mr.. -ohes
attended and complained of any informally
:" Tac meeting Was conducted in the farest manner,
and on every proposition vote Of the trustees Wis
taken in which every trustee, WIN Inc singie OK,
ceut on of Mr. Stokes, cOncufred. The matter acted
MON had Leon uler discussion for months and WAS
Well understood by all the n.emLers oi Tie family
Who had any interest in The miss'On' almost al vi
vi,om favored and sanctioned the consolidation OF
the two corlOratiOns means Oi carrying out thc
lur oses of the organization. Mr. Stokes has repre-
| a mistake, as 10 trust Of any kind has ever becn
created either by Will or by Iced, anu the gts ana
| contributions soiute and UNCONDITIONAL Inc
Phelps Mission, though Tree church, Is religious
CORPORATION under the statute 81, - ~,
| In Justice tho Lightly fourth Street PresDy
! rrian Church, ] wish to say that 1t Is IN most
| fourishing condition, ami that 1t occupies me mos.
promising field in the city. The Eighty -iOnrh otrtet
| tLur,h was comparatively indifferent concerning tho
prouosed consodat but at the urgent socltat on
| OF the Phelps Mission and memDers Oh the idtnS
! IL conseh;ci 10 assume the additional work Mr.
STOKES has throughout urged no plan Of settlement
his mple purpose being TO stem Inc o'her uuS'eo'
! in any sctt ement proposed" a.,
The lev Arson g. T. AeTOG pastor ho 81 a Ine
| one Of the trustees. said: 81 prefer not to make
any statement in regard to the mattor"
| w T. Dodge Stokes asserts that tho proposed
acton of the trustees which he seeks to restrain
would be q simple tTansference OF all the pro- eity
of the Phelps Mission to the EiEn'y iourth s'reeo
benefits of the mission would be entirely lost to the
| people for whom it originally designed.
1 william l., SNYDER. counsel for the Phelps MISSION
was also seen iv the reporter. and sad: every
step which has boon taken by the mission nas utun
sanctioned by the Il tue and supported ny auihory,
hut further than this do not wish 10 make any
| statement