The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-04-14
DR.. SUYDAM Will GO
The Chassis Decides That
His Resignation Shall
Be Accepted.
WARM FEELINGS FOR HIM.
An Affecting Address by the Doctor
to His Brother Ministers
and Laymen.


laymen. constituting the Chassis Of Ber-
gen. met this morning at the Park Re-
formed Church. The business before the
Chassis is considerable and the session
may last several days. Rev. William
Manchee of the editorial staff of the New
York Observer. presided. and Rev. /. I.
Harris OF Cherry Valley acted as Clerk.
After the transaction of much routine
business the report OF the committee to
whom was referred all matters pertain
ing to the resignation OF DIR. J. Howard
Suydam of the Park Reformed Church
was called for. DIR. Suydam sat in the
front row Of seats. Tie report was read
us folloWs.-
cat q meeting called for the porpose,
held in the Park Reformed Church par
lors March 80, a communication was pre-
sented from DIR. Suydam expressing his
firm conviction that under existing cir
cumstances a new pastor could 90 more
effective work than could possibly be
done by him, both In the church and
the community, and therefore requesting
the Consistory to withdraw the petition
TO Chassis against the application for dis
solution of the pastoral relation.
DIR. Suydam presented Tor the same
reasons request to the committee o
urge Chassis TO grant the dissolution.
The Consistory, after conference with
the committee, passed a resolution in ac-
cordance with the request made.
In view of this state Of affairs your
committee recommend the following
Il. That the Consistery of the Park Re
formed Church have leave to withdraw
the petition presented at the special meet
ing of Chassis, held March 10.
80 That the concurrent application OF
the Park Reformed Church and the Rev.
nx1 Gr1xr dur ~ IN n n
tion of the pastoral relation now existing
between the said parties, agreed pom
February % and confirmed by the action
OF March 30 be granted, and that the pas
toral relation between Rev. j. Howard
Suydam, ID. D., and the Park Reformed
Church be and hereby is dissolved, and
that the pulpit be declared vacant.
CHARLES s. WRIGHT. Chairman"
WARN FEELINGS FOB DR. SUYDAM.
While the report of the committee was
unanimously adopted, 1t WAS apparent
that the feeling of the classts was warm
toward DR.. Spydam, VINO Is among its
oldest members.
Rev. Mr.. Wright, Chairman of the COM
mitteee, said the action Of the com mittee
was based upon the opinion that the dis
solution of pastoral relationship between
DR.. Suydam and the Park Reformed
Church was for the best interest OF all
concerned. He expressed his deep SYM
: pathy- for the pastor, ana alluded to the
great work DIR. Suydam had accom- plished
Ia more than a score of years in building
uD such church.
Rev. Maths, of Hoboken,' wanted
resolution drawn up expressing the high
esteem IN which DR.. .Suydam is held by the
Chassis. This was objected to purely on
the ground that it was not customary,
and was unconstitutional Ii the prece-
dent was once established, even IN case
where pastor had been connected with
a church more than score of years. 1t
would have to be followed.
Rev J. w. Gowen, of Union Hill,
warmly eulogized DR.. Suydam. He de-
clared that. while he agreed with the
committee, DIR. Suydam's severance from
the church would create crisis he had
labored successfully for many years in
building the church up, and 1t would be
a long while before another such leader
could be secured. His long pastorate had
been successful from beginning to end.
Rev. John Rudolph, of Hoboken, and
others spoke kind words of the Do ctor.
DIR. sUYDAWs SPEECH.
Dr. Suydam said, with considerable
ernotion:-s1 do not wish the Classis TO
establish precedent for the passage or
complimentary resolutions. It is exceed
inQly painful for me to sever my connec-
ton with this church. tind the roots OF
affection have struck deeper into my
heart for this people than | had any idea
of. On the third occasion when called
upon TO reconsider my determination 70
resign, and the balances seemed almost
even, something occurred which vim
dicated the wisdom of my original
determination. l leave the church
because / feel It is the for
best interests of the church and
believe the hand of God IS in it, am
proud OF this church which | gathered
together with very few exceptions, and
want to leave it in harmony. | am
anxious another pastor shall be secured
who will take mp the work where lay it
down and make 1t more of power than
il has been in the past / have been un-
favorably criticized because | did not re-
side in Jersey City. / could not control
that But / gave my heart and almost
every thought to the church's welfare.
God bless the Consistory and the people.
! want no resolution"
Dr. Suydam moved that the Rev. Mr..
Gowen be appointed to declare the post
vacant next Sunday morning. 1t was
but the revival of an old custom. The
Rev. Wright said the resolution accept
ing the committees report declared the
post vacant Mr.. Gowan will read the
resolution at next Sunday mornings ser
vice.
The charge of intemperanee against
Pastor Freund, of Hoboken, was referred
to a special committee.