Los Angeles herald., 1891-03-19
REV. JOHN w. ELLIS.
HE is RETIRED FROM HIS SAN
FRANCISCO CHURCH.
A Presbyterian Divine Well Known Here
Becomes Involved-His Church Finan-
cially Embarrassed.

The following letter from Tuesdays
San Francisco Chronicle regards cler-
gyman formerly we'll known in this city.
DR.. Ellis was in charge at one time Of
the First Presbyterian church, and also
of the Ellis college.
"The affairs OF the Central Presbyte-
rian tabernacle, which for months have
occasioned constant discussion and
trouble in the sessions of the presbytery,
appear to be now more seriously compli-
Gated than ever. AT the meeting of the
presbytery yesterday, Rev. DIR. John w.
Ellis, acting pastor of the tabernacle,
was practically deposed and his position
declared vacant. The home mission
committee, which advised such action
through Rev. DIR. j. @. Adams, declared
that it was greatly embarrassed, owing
to the uncertainty concerning the rela
tions between the church and its pastor.
To remove the embarrassment resolu-
tion was adopted by which the presby-
terry announced that the labors of DIR.
Ellis terminated on the first day of this
month. This was not done either by
the request or wishes OF the congrega-
ton of the tabernacle.
"When Rev. DR.. Ellis assumed the
pastorate of the church year ago it
was then weighted with debt OF $780,
600. Since his comiAg an additional in
cumbrance of about $1,000 has been
placed upon it. Overtures with view
to union with the First church and
with the Westminster church were with
out avail. The necessities of the taber-
nacle were such that about two months
ago mortgage OF $4,000 was made and
the entire matter left to a committee of
finance appointed by the presbytery.
"This committee was assiduous in its
efforts to secure money, and in certain
measure was successful. Five weeks
ago it was announced that two gentle
men were willing to advance sums on
one condition-that the affairs of the
church should be taken out of the
hands of DR.. Ellis, who, it was asserted,
was not as judicious as might be wished
in his handling Of the church funds.
DIR. Ellis then announced that under
such circumstances he could not con-
sistently continue his relation with the
church, and would close it at the end of
the first year. Yesterday, without
further action and in opposition, it is
stated, to the session of his church, he
was retired.
''As soon as the obstacle to the settle
ment of the financial difficulty was pre-
sented in the refusal of the two gentle
men to subscribe. the matter was imme-
diately referred to the judicial commit
tee of the presbytery for investigation.
''Several meetings OF that committee
were held. Hugh Fraser, trustee of
the tabernacle board of trustees, SUBJ
mitted a financial report. 1t is said
that the report showed strange confu-
sion in the account and disposal of the
funds. One thousand dollars could not
be accounted for. The session of the
church also submitted financial report
and statement that it desired to retain
DIR. Ellis in his position, notwithstand-
ing what seemed to be an unfortunate
state of affairs. No charges of any ma
ture were presented and DIR. Ellis also
appeared before the committee. The
committee is still investigating the mat
ter and is not ready to report, said a
gentleman yesterday. 1t will sift the
matter to the bottom, and if occasion
demands will fix the blame OF dishon-
esty, or lncompetency, upon whom it
may fall.
''Dr. Ellis left this city four weeks ago
for Los Angeles, and is still there en-
deavoring to sell a piece of property
which he owns to number OF gentle
men from Chicago. The land is esti-
mated to be worth from 100000 to
$l5O,O00, but has a mortgage of $4,000
upon it. He will soon return. The
members of his congregation are conf
dent that he will then satisfactorily ex-
plain matters.
SIN the meantime DIR. Ellis is without
church, although still amenable to the
DEGREES of the presbytery. The judicial
committee expects to render a full report
in two weeks"