Morning journal and courier., 1889-10-10
COMMUNICATIONS.

1t has been difficult for many of Mr..
Rodgers people to silently read the false
hoods and base insinuations concerning him
and his work that have recently appeared in
the papers. But we who knew their falsity
considered 1t best to remain silent until the
Presbyterial commission had spoken.
Four years ago Mr.. Rodger was sent by the
New England Synodioal Missionary to estab
lish Presbyterian church In New Haven.
The difficulties in the way were many.
There was strong tide Of prejudice and
latent hostility to row against. Those relig-
did not wish 1t to be represented here.
There was neither church, money, nor peo-
pie.
New Haven contained many Presbyterians,
who had found eon9enial homo in other
churches. "To these I do not oome," said
Mr.. Rodger, "but to the people who do net
feel at home in any other than the Presby-
proselyting, but of supplementing the Chris
tian work that is being DONE" Mr.. Rodgers
faith, courage and unselfsh spirit have been
q constant inspiration to us. He has spared
not himself night or day.
In less than year and half after the
formal organization of the society, the old
Third church property was secured by Mr..
Rodgers personal efforts. The mortgage of
$25, 900 seemed a small matter considering
innate of value was about s1a5, ,0OOl. The
organisation already had member
ship of about one hundred and
twenty five. But some had come in
from other denominations, who were un-
acquainted with the Presbyterian
form of government. When they found they
could not rule. as they desired, they went
out. Since their exit they have steadily
sought to injure the church. But still the
began last winter on account of the doings of
one who was at that time an officer of the
church. Many of the members said to our
pastor: eff that man is not put out of the
church we cannot support 1t and must leave"
And several on his account ceased to attend.
As the said officer had had more or less to do
with the finances Of the church 1t was decid
ed that auditors be appointed to examine the
books. This was done and at the annual
business meeting of the church the auditors
presented an unsigned report. The report
seemed about to be accepted when the pastor
asked If the auditors were willing to sign their
report: They replied in the negative. He
then made a motion, which was car
ried, that the auditors be authorized to
that they might thus be enabled to bring in
a satisfactory report. The passage OF this
motion greatly displeased the aforementioned
officer, and from that evening he has sought
to escape the odium which he had brought
upon himself by first secretly and then open
ly circulating false reports concerning our
pastor and the church. Only two weeks be-
fore the annual meeting the said officer told
another member Of the church that If Mr..
Rodger left the church he would leave; this
as proof of his devotion to Mr.. Rodger.
fn tho vvhn had haAn
opposed to this officer became his firm allies
in their enmity toward our faithful pastor.
1 will not weary the public by a detailed &C.
count of tho caucus meeting packed by dis
affected memb bsrs, who had not attended the
church nor contributed to Its support for two
same person brought against our pas
tor, demanding his immediate resignation
in view of such charges. And by the way,
when this worthy Individual found that
things were not managed quite in this auto
cratic way under Presby yterian polity, and he
was requested to state his charges bsfore
Presbytery, he replied that he had no charges
to bring. Of course our pastor insisted that
the charges should be Investigated by Pres
bytery. The commission that made the in
vestigation fully exonerated Mr.. Rodger.
When the exoneration was announced this
person, through the press, calmly denied the
fact. When the exoneration was published
he informed the public that the congregation
were sshighly displeased with the result of
the investigation" and that the commission
had agreed to exonerate Mr.. Rodger on cons
dition that he would resign. II is hardly
necessary to say that this also Is wholly
false.
It is not surprising that such people did
not enjoy Mr.. Rodgers able, spiritual, heart
searching sermons, which to US were bring
ing spiritual strength and blessing.
Our greatest sorrow now Is that our pastor
has decided to leave us. However, his will
be the gain, and ours the loss. Sine he has
been among us four positions much better
than the one here have been offered him, but
his whole heart and best effort were dedicat-
ed to the work God had given him here. The
financial success of the church 10 due to Mr..
Rodgers efforts. And while many have
criticised the purchase of the old Third
church, they are not aware perhaps that by
the purchase and sale of that property the
Presbyterian society made twelve thousand
church is greatly indebted to Mr.. Rodger
financially"
But the incendiary can destroy in few
hours the edifioe which has caused the arehi-
tect years of laborious toll. And SO our pas
tors work has been sorely injured by the
malice of good (D people, yet 1t will live and
prosper. The foundation is laid for strong
and prosperous church. In place of nothing
Mr.. Rodger leaves over twenty eight thousand
dollars and membership of over eighty. His
successor will not be called upon to cope with
the difficulties which confronted Mr.. Rodger.
Other pastors recognizing the fact that the
Presbyterian church is here to stay
will welcome him cordially. The ambi-