Morning journal and courier., 1890-11-11
THE MILFORD CHURCH.

OepoBe0 De0c0nA MAKING an EIKs
fort for vindication Before the
Council Of Churches-LawyerN New
ton Appears for the DeacOns and
tho Expositor, MIR. Ferguson, Re-
plies I'm Defenee or the Ghnrch--
Contained To-day. 81 sds
Merit to family feud overetmoney af- |
fairs, a church quarrel isssthe hardest |
thing to heal. For months and even |
years animosities in a religious body viii
live Numbering, ready to a blaze out
in force flame whenever famed by any
disturbing breeze, however mild. The re-
cent troubles in the First Congregational
church in Milford offer no exception to
the rule. That 1t is misfortune to that
body, even the most partisan members of
the two contending factions will admit,
yet they dodge YEARLY, taking any initia
tive steps toward healing and settling of
of grievances in the Christian manner of
humility. So now, after all methods of
settling matters among themselves have
failed, church council is called on to see
what effect that will have. The council,
which was summoned some weeks since
nor;tv oartias met vesterday in the First
church and were called to order at 10
O'clock nv Rev. Mr.. Marvin of Wood
bridge. Rev Mr.. Mulch of the Howard
avenue church, this city, was appointed
scribe, and Rev. DR.. Smyth Of this city
moderator. After the usual preparatory
1;sta,, and for,, ito o1,;nion concarn;ya +he
T1sa of the arrrieyed deacons. George F.
and Henry n. Platt, and the defence in
turn of the church for it's action of depos-
ing them without charges some time since
on the ground that they had forfeited the
affectionate confidence of the church az
of;ears. +hsraof n snch.. an aYtant that
tl,a;r oo,,+;,ronoa l., az aoooonota would
ui IL - sao ooacsso muu
~ az rt;9 o chMreh = 'lo f'eAoo '-t pf'f'o-'
Iawver Harry q. Newton Of this CITY.
appeared for.~the deacons and made an
able argument in their behalf. He held
that the action on the part of the church
was illegal. The men had been elected
for term of wears, and it was impossible
to disnose them without bringing charges
or a trial AGAINST them. He ouoted from
Dexter in Support of his arguments re-
eardine the Questions of church polity.
Throueh Mr.. Newton the deacons pro-
tested to the church that they had been
placed under it's censure in an unjust, ir-
regular and unchristian manner, without
charges, hearing or trial, and they asked
for mutual council.
George =. Platt was appointed one of
the committee, but declined to act.
Henry N. Platt and George F. Plat
agreed with the committee as to the
churches to be invited and desired that the
case between them and the church should
be submitted to the council, and that the
council should be requested to consider
and advise whether the action of said meet
mo was iusai1iable. valid. and to he con
sidered as properlv the action of the
church. and whether deacons who had
been regularly elected at an annual meet
ing for term of years. and accepted the
Office. could be removed because thew had
honestly opposed settlement of q mar
t;crlar m;n;star 40 nostor and voted in CO
&C., -,aa.;nn aoa;n.t ooi,;,aas ~ io' - 'o
ei1 IT. mevns "s. = ~ ot,..s - IL =,
,h-o;t+sd r A. u@o SIe du1S'i I " 70
nnoI, and that thew vo1ld Join i, s;snine,
tha cali for the connci1 The iny;fatio5
Already sent ont was without their lrnow1-
edge or assent and Was not STONED NV
George r Platf IN ar,lv canacitv notw;th-
etand;no that h;s nama annasrs - 10
s;o,,a5 tbarato ooa IL natao 70. -
o,SS S.e:, :Au .u lo nono was NV
pi1Tuo " ~ Y n-s ausnoiy; :,
Wnen vi, Me"1on nnlsneo nis pea, II
vas, was sng N.Y.; IL, IL. ~ c sa 70 repair 70 'ne
tha oha,.ai '1 n,r;-.s 1,, ps.a1;t; -
seemed tn he srnootha5 down cona;der raiIs
and neace and harmony seemed to nrevaii
The entire afternoon session. which was
called to order at Q O'clock. was taken mn
| antirelv nv Rev. Franz, T. Feronson the
1ast 1866 ofetha oh-,roh -,he 1900 -.
:s' Srss s oe 49, 49, so
- se .a1 u ene osom ~ w W. ena' couy
M NJ S. g. - 49,. ~ sao ~ay " iioll
ro .sI. ~ Slis PIpose nass peen
nss;sh;ora-s r. ss N Il. .astorata
that thesa tronbles heoan tn assert them
selves and which cnim;nated inst ate,
his danartnra He snoIra fiit. nearly; * ,.ae
hours
| In his opening remarks the ex-pastor
| etated the circumstances of his first COM
| ing to the church, with mingled feelings of
reluctance and anticipation. He felt called
| to accept the offer extended him. though
| IL was not the only one he had at fine time
He showed acme emotion "a he went
thronob the story have come here 70.
day. 6e said. to represent the cause of 3
| chnroh of which am member to defend
it's honor and ,deny soma statementa which
| are not true. most earnestiv hone and
trust that this council will find some way
to restore the church to a condition Of
| Christian fellowship and love.
He went on from that point to take ur
one by one the arguments set forth by the
aoprieved narties He related nersonal in.
cidents in connection with both of the
deacons during his stay with the church
| Their aftitude toward him was not of tbs
| 1Ss.Ss ~ -. -. mn - 'A
| Pieasan1est mature as pastor. Ihelf Ell
forts TO undermine h1m We're continual al
| they were with former pastors.
The church in taking the action thai
tbav d;d van, controry h;s odv;oa and
1 sney oAo "oAs eons.1Ay ~ n.e az sioo o.iu
| earnest counsel. he thought that the
l chnrch had narha,,s at f;nao actad ratha,
| ~ ..au poA"Ps ~ sAAoo "ose0 A"o.o'
need Of onidino hand Rut their action
vss the oniv course left for tine neaca and
good Of the church. The deacons had
acted and were acting in such a name,
that they had lost the confidence which the
Office they held demanded. Everything
had been done to bring the deacons to q
| better understanding. He had plead with
them and used the full force of persuasive
eloquence. They had asked them to re-
sign When the last resource, had been
expended there was nothing left to do but
/ tale &ba aok;ov, kha1, 1;I