The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-10-02
SETTLED THE ROW.
Prof. De Volson Wood Sends His
Resignation to the Boom
ton Church.

Professor De Volson Wood, of Stevens
Institute, who, with his wife, was sus-
pended from the Presbyterian Church,
of Boonton, N. j., have joined the
Methodist Church. of that place.
Prof. and Mrs. Wood were charged
with having ''publicly made and circu-
lated stories about the Rev. Thomas
Carter pastor of the church, which were
unchristian. false and slanderous. - The
trouble originated during the absence of
the Rev. Mr.. Carter, who was in Florida.
for an affection of the throat. Dur
ing his absence H. Z. Beatty, then
a student of the Union Theologi-
cal Seminary of New York, occupied his
pulpit. Mr.. Beatty made a favorable i'm
preston during his two mouths service,
and some of the conareg egation sug-
gested that MIR. Carter, while retaining
the rank or pastor held by him for
eighteen years, engage Mr.. Beatty to do
the active work MIR. Wood wrote to Mr.
Carter advising that he resign.
MR.. CARTER's RETURN.
When Mr.. Carter returned to Boonton
to investigate and TO learn the
told that Prof. Wood had been agitating
the subject of his resignation. Mr.. Car
ter cal led a meeting and announced
that his resignation WAS at the discretion
of the congregation. He said that mem
Der had written to him that nine-tenths
of the church members desired a
change. Prof. Wood asked If he was
the member referred to, and charged
Mr.. Carter with quoting him falsely.
members refused to entertain the
proffered resignation, iand voted to
support their pastor against Prof.
Wood. Then Prof. Wood wrote a
long letter to the Presbytery. and ar
- ha 1o OF
fore the church and before the bar of
public opinion and the bar of
Almighty God. A committee was
appointed by the Presbytery of
Morris and Orange to try the
case, but Prof. Wood and his wife re-
fused to appear before it and were sus-
pended after bearing. Prof.
tamely, but continued to attend rhe
church and take part in its services.
while he circulated a pamphlet among
houses of Boonton giving his side Of the
controversy. A committee was appointed to
tell him that under The circumstances his
participation in the church's exercises
was irregular and that he should refrain
from so doing in the future. In reply to
this Prof. Wood wrote O letter TO
the committee defending his action, and
said that it was sad TO contem-
plate what had followed the controversy
-churcn rent, IafnilleS divided. .ChrlStlan-
ity scandalized sorrow wrought, and the
never ending effect produced.
A prominent member of the church,
who requested that his name be not used.
said to reporter yesterday
"Prof. Wood has many sympathizers
in the church. When he accused
Mr.. Carter of quoting him
falsely production of the letter re-
ferred to would have settled the matter,
and neither man need have been ashamed
to apologize for his mistake. The
irritation has been kept up by one of
the elder who was never friendly to
MIR, or Mrs, Wood. The Methodist
church here is to be congratulated IL
it is true, as l hear, that they have been
admitted to membership. | cannot tell
you the name of the elder in my opinion
responsible for the continued widening
of the breach. He is very power
full. very jealous, aud very near
the pastor and l like peace with my re-
ligion. The squabble has not done the
church any good. aud | believe there
have been ten or twelve designations in
consequence of it. Professor and Mrs.
Wood were members for thirteen years.
Four of their children were also members
until the trouble.