Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-09-20
ayew yaren @aig g4orning gonrnal and Gunrier
A BIG STIR In MILFORD.

A BIG STIR IN MILFORD.
Troubles In the First Church-Yester-
days Meeting-Deposed Deaeons
Want to Call Council for Arbitra-
ton from the Neighbortng Churches
They Are Defeated on Technical
Points-Settlement Postponed.
The old town of Milford has had excite
ment for the past few days enough so that
it's normal state of quiet has been sadly
troubled. It has all been caused by that
bette noir of social tranquility, namely, q
church quarrel, in the First Congregational
church. The storm began to rise soon af-
ter the advent of Rev. Mr.. Ferguson to its
pulpit, two years ago last July, 3 young
and promising clergyman from the Yale
theological school, but who, as certain
members of the congregation affirm, was
too belligerent and lacking in tact. He
certainly brought with him decided ten
denotes for western style of "hustling,"
and was leader that would stand no in
reference in his plans. Some of the peo-
pie called him dictatorial and unwarranted
in some of his measures. Mr.. Ferguson
won over to his side a large majority OF
the congregation, especially the younger
people, who have stood by him
firmly all through, giving him support
whenever called upon. The more conserv-
alive minority have been growing in their
opposition until now there exists in the
| church two factions, with an almost in
separable gulf between them. The most
peculiar part of the matter is that
questions of orthodoxy and heresy hardly
| enter into the discussion at all. The pas
| tor was quite liberal in his views, to be
l sure, but not beyond a point that would
| shake the solid orthodox foundations OF
l the old First church. The pastor was
| simply too high handed, some thought, in
/ his aggressive manner of church work.
He was called to the passionate by a
l nearly unanimous vote and the church
| soon entered period of unexampled pros
l perity, in increase of members and in the
l treasury The opposition to the pastor rather
] eliminated in the vigorous way he fought
| against one of the prominent members OF
the church-who is druggist: 1t was over
temperance questions and led to the church
| voting to suspend the brother. Last Jan
/ uary a petition was circulated among
some of the members for the pastors dis
missal which called for contrary one on
| the other side to keep him, that seemed to
have the popular support. Among the
paper .', were those of two deacona
| George F. and Henry N. Platt The trou-
l BILE reached the point that the pastor
/ thought it best to resign, which was not
J accepted by the church. The opposition,
/ however, still persevered, and the major
! ity of the church tried to effect compro-
mise by calling council to settle the diff
| culties This the opposition refused, and
as the pastor had received call to Ne
| braska the church Faithfully accepted his
second resignation few weeks since, as
| they thought it the best way out of the
dilemma, and they also disciplined the
two deacons above named by deposine
them from their offices by declaring them
/ vacant, and proceeded to elect successors
| The deacons, with James T. Highly, 6
l member under suspension, all thought
they had been treated unjustly and in 6
l manner without warrant, and in this they
were supported by good sized minority
So last Sunday petition, signed by ter
members, was handed in to the pulpit fol-
calling special meeting yesterday after
/ teal council of churches be called to settle
matters. For some reason or other the
| officiating clergyman failed to read the
| paper. He didn't want to NEEDLE, said
| one, but at any rate yesterday afternoon
l at o'clock fully 200 were at the First
l church ready for good old time church
/ Glove FEAST" as Moderator John q. North
| called it. 1t surely had all the enthusiasm
| of love feast, but lacking perhaps il
| other qualities. The meeting was called te
order by L. D. Nettleton, clerk of the
| church, and John G.. North appointed
| moderator. The moderator's opening
prayer was pretty nearly the only sem
blance of worshipful tendency that the
l meeting had, for there followed nearly
l three hours Of bitter determinations bach
and forth. 1t was, as G. D. Mer
! win expressed it, disgraceful scene, and
he, for one, was glad that reports Of il
might be given to the public. The clerk
of the meeting was George F. Platt, one o.
the deposed deacons, and he probably
had his spirit of forebearanct
severely taxed during the back and fortl
sharp things said. It must be said that t.
the outsider his bearing was most digni
fed. The moderator was strictly parlia
Daniel in his interpretations of the Con
gregational church law. In fact he proved
himself quite the equal of Tom Reed. Thu
| meeting started with the reading of thu
| minutes of the last meeting, or an attemp
at it, for it was found that the,
had not been properly recorded
by the clerk, who said that never before
to his knowledge, had their been any cal
for them before the annual church meet
ing. 1t had been the intention of tn
minority at this point to present a resolu
ton signed by ten members of the churcl
to call the proposed council to arbitrate il
the case of the members under discipline
but owing to technical distractions tn
following resolution from the majority sid
was presented and passed by a vote of II
| to 49,
1.-The standing committee of this churcl
present the following resolution:
Whereas, a call for a meeting has been made b
| ten members of the church to be held at an
suitable time to act upon matters already settle
| which, by the rules and regulations of the Col
gregational church, is decisive; therefore. W
protest against the doings of such meeting, fc
| we believe its decisions will only provoke III
| necessary friction, mar the peace and harmon
Of the church and perhaps do great harm
! those who have already made themselves labl
to discipline for breaking their covenant vow
by their persistent opposition to tn
t to walk together her within with its A' member i
in all brotherly love and watchfnlness to til
and love. In Order that the request of the te
| members for a meeting be considered we woul
Sunday, Sept 81, 1890, coming Immediately aft,
| the morning preaching service, when reports al
to be made concerning the discipline of offen'
ing members and resolutions offered concernn
| the same for action of the church.
A lady from the Park street church {
Bridgeport was present and asked pei
mission to speak, which caused some e,
element. She said she was sent only b
| the heavenly father and one of the men
, | bers jumped and exclaimed if she was sci
by the other side she certainly was NJ
sent by the heavenly father. 1t was fiji
ally decided that the lady should have II
hearing as an outsider. Said Lawyer Plat
/ haven't attended your church meeting
since last March, 30 about previous NEE