The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-26
WHY DIR. Harlan Resigned.


ard ID. Harlan from the pastorate OF the
First PRESBYTERIAN church was not much
of surprise TO his congregation. says
the New York World. For over two
years there has been trouble brewing.
and several recent events have brought
matters TO a crisis. In the story OF the
difficulties between minister and con-
gregation there is a thread of romance
woven into the discussions on church
service. infant baptism and predestlna-
ton.
When in April. 1886. Richard Harlan
was called to the pastorate OF the FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN church, the Oldest and
most conservative congregation IN the
New York Presby tery, surprise was ex-
pressed by many church people
throughout the city. Mr.. Harlan had
won his laurels at Princeton, he was
son of Virtue Harlan, young man OF
splendid physique and the highest at
tainments. but he promised the double
drawback of youth and bachelor
hood. DIR. Alexander. man ripe III
years and learning. was the pastor OF the
neighboring Presbyterian church on
University .place. and the Madison
Square pulpit was filled by DR.. PARK
hurst. also a man of mature talents.
The experiment was watched with IN
terest. The first Presbyterian church
wGs very orthodox, and its form of wor-
ship had changed but slightly since it
was first established in the old City Hall
at Wall and Nassau streets, 17OS. The
congregation sang their hymns without
organ accompaniment, believing with
John Knox that the sound of a fiddle or
other musical instrument was an echo
of Satan himself.
The first thing that DR.. Harlan did
was to insist upon the purchase oil an
organ. a long and bitter controversy
resulted among the members OF the
church, and not few left to worship
elsewhere. Still DR.. Harlan found
favor in the eyes of the ladies of the
congregation. He was young and ur-
married. and there were many charm
ing "KnickerbockerN Presbyterian girls
in his flock, any one of whom would
have made an excellent pastor s help
mate. The organ was built. A blow
then came upon the congregation from
an unexpected quarter.
Ev cry one who has been at old st
Paul's school at Concord within the
past ten years will remember Augustus
Swift. He was the son of wealthy
father. John A. Swift, well known in
New York. but for many years al in
mate of an insane asylum near Morris
town, Utah. Augustus had taken a
position as private tutor in the school
for the love Of teaching. HIS summers
were spent abroad, where he had been
educated. He was good liver and his
suit of rooms in the college building
were furnished in the most luxurious
manner. In 1888, while dining, he was
unlucky enough to swallow bit of
oyster shell, which lodged in his intes-
tines. To relieve the pain he took
opium and it was said that for time
he became a victim to the habit.
While being treated abroad for his dis
order he met one day a beautiful Amer
can girl. He was student OF psychlcal
science. and in novel called Cupid Nj.
d., - said to be his own love story, he
describes this meeting as the turning
point of his life. In the book both par
ties were Immediately drawn to each
other. The young girl, fascinated by
the admiration of an intellectual giant,
advanced towards him. Without the
formalty OF an introduction he asked
her to be his wife. She consented, and
after very short acquaintance they
became united. Some of Mr.. Swift S
friends deny that this romantic story
was an actual occurrence in the
author career, but when Mr.. Swift
died, soon afterwards, he left & beautl-
full young widow.
Ii was this lady that DR.. Harlan mar
ried in June 1889, at herparents' home
in Geneva. His congregation felt lit
tie hurt that he had chosen bride
away from them. More than one eligi
BILE young woman who had been inter-
ested in church work suddenly lost
some of her ambition.
When the congregation read the de
scription of their pastors wedding in
the papers a great deal of Indignation
was expressed. DR.. Harlan was mar
red in Trinity Episcopal church,
Geneva, by an Episcopal minister. One
of the attendants at the wedding was
the Rev. Father Tom Brown, the pastor
of the Ritualistic Church of St. Mary
the Virgin, in this city. There was
much alarm at the First Presbyterian
church on Fifth avenue. and not few
of the elders were perturbed in spirit
Mrs. Harlan is charming and cult
waited woman, who has spent great
part of her life abroad. She is very
fond OF society. The members of the
First Presbyterian church are very
strict in their religious views. Many
of them have never been inside of a
theatre or a ballroom. Many of them
are wealthy, with liking for old New
York and old traditions. Mrs. Harlan
was not acquainted with Presbyterian
church work, and 1t is claimed by a
number of the congregation that
she has never been inside of her hus-
band 'schurch. She goes TO Grace church
and has many fashionable friends
in that congregation. DR.. Harlan
marriage widened the gulf between
him and his people. Robert Lenox Bel
ku9p, a descendant Of the Lenox family,
and very wealthy man, withdrew
from the church where he and his an
cestors had worshipped for years and
lttutl o. Oh -
place. This summer number of the
yestry discussed the question of con-
solidatipg the two churches and max
ing DIR. Alexander pastor. with DIR.
Harlan as assistant. To this the latter
objected. and on Sunday be decided to
tender his resignation. Next Friday
he will explain his reasons for his ac-
ton. Until that time he refuses to
speak.
During the late Presbyterian Confer
ence DR.. Harlan held extreme rever-
sionist ideas concerning the doctrines
OF predestination and infant baptism,
aud these gave offense TO others of his
flock. They all unite in saying that he
is a hard working, estimable young
man. and one who will make his mark.
IL is hoped by many that these little
d faculties may be settled by conpro-
misses on both sides and the church re-
gain its serenity.