Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-28
EXCLUDED REPORTERS.
Lively Meeting Of the Allegheny PreBby-
tery Proposition of DR.. Hays to Build
New Church DIscussed-Referred to a
Committee 10 Consider,

Lively Meeting Of the Allegheny PreBby.
tery Proposition of DR.. Hays to Build a
New Church Discussed-Referred to a
Committee TO Consider.
The Allegheny Presbytery met yesterday
afternoon at the First Church, on Arch
street. 1t was a special meeting to consider
the petition for the organization of q new
church and hearing the report of thscom-
mittee on the matter, as well as to take ac-
tion on the report of the committee In rela-
tion to the trouble between the Rev. L n.
hays and part of his congregation of the
Central Church.
Rev. II. c. Ferguson, of Ellsworth, was
made moderator of the meeting and Rev. j.
L. Milligan acted as secretary. There were
80 members of the presbytery present,
together with some 20 members of DR.. HaYs'
congregation, who were interested in the
proceedings.
The first business done when the meeting
was opened was to pass a resolution to ex-
clude reporters. The meeting was therefore
held with closed doors, but the secretary
was instructed to give the proceedings pub
licity.
The matter of the petition of eS men,
bers Of the Central church for permis-
sion to organize new church and locate it
on Buena Vista street, was first taken up.
The petition was presented by DR.. Camp
bell who spoke strongly in favor OF it, as
did also DR.. Beatty, n. G. Wilson, J. j.
Graham, and others. Rev. D. S. Kennedy,
of the First Church, was strongly opposed
to it, alleging that there were enough
churches in the vicinity to accommodate
the people. The locality suggested was in
too close proximity to many others of the
same denomination. j. F. Gibson opposed
it from a financial point of view. The 9S
signers to the petition could not pay for the
ground and build church for much less
than $40. 900, and the burden would be upon
the presbytery. Elder ]. S. Slagie also
spoke against il, and used the argument
that the field was pretty well filled. Mr.. J.
j. Graham was the warmest adherent of the
new church, and argued that as nearly 100
well-known Christian people had petitioned
for the right to worship in their own church,
il should not be denied them. Rev. John
A Fox talked on both sides OF the question,
and finally offered the following resolution:
Resolved. That tile petition be referred to a
committee to inquire more carefully into its
merits. to ascertain the probability of financial
support ior any new enterprise, the cost of a
new church building, and all other like mat
tiers, and specially to consult with rhe Bethel
Church to see if by possible fusion with that
met in some better way than by Organizing
new church.
The resolution was seconded bv Rev. Rutb-
erford, who had advocated a postpouement
of the matter. Some of the congregation
wanted the matter settled definitely at once
and so voted no wheE the resolution was mt
but it carried by large majority.
The Moderator was given power to appoint
the committee, and he named Rev. f. n.
Robinson, D. D.; Rev. N. Rutherford, Rev.
John Fox and Elders John S. Slagle and
Wm. Fisher. The committee was instructed
to call a meeting when their report was
ready.
The matter of the protest against the re-
duction of the salary of DR.. Hays was then
taken up. Rev. DR.. Robinson, as Chairman
of the Committee on Conference, with the
congregation handed in his report. The
charge had been made that the action of the
elders was irregular. The report in relation
to that was ss follows:
Your committee after hearing these protests-
tons, and frank and lengthy conference with
these brethren feel constrained to accept their
declaration, and to report that in their judg-
ment the trustees and elders of the Central
from all imputations of having Intentionally
acted In an illegal or un-Christian manner in
dealing with their late pastor. 1t is due to
them as Christian men Of good repute to give
to them this exoneration
The report was received and adopted,
after which the meeting adjourned.