The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-12
His Residence in Jersey
City Not a Point with
the Park Church
People.
HE WANTED TO TEST bis FLOCK.
They Could Guess his Sermon From
His Text, He Thought. and
Wondered if They Hadn't
Tired Of Him.

The announcement made by the Rev:
DR.. 5uydam. Of the Park Reformed
Church. that he had made up his mind to
reside in Jersey City before he recently
rendered his resignation to his flock. was
probably surprise TO many Of them who
read IL In The SUNDAY MORNING NEWS Of
yesterday. His church people generally
have an idea that that is the point OF
whatever differences there are between
him aud them.
In other parts Of the interview which
the reporter had with Pastor Suydam az
his residence. No. 40 West Twentieth
street, New York, Saturday night, tho
Doctor said, on the other hand, that the
question of residence had no relation 20
his resignation.
ALL FOB HIN TosAY.
When asked whether he would with
draw mis- resignation II the consistory de-
cided TO rescind its acceptance. he did not
wish TO commit himself on that score
Just now. be said, however that the
consistory is ready to have him return If
he SO desires.
In case he did resume the pastorate.
would he live In Jersey Cityf He most
decidedly would. he said. He added
that the question of his residing in this
city had nothing 70 do with his resigua-
-
said, he had been pastor Of the church
de organized il and most of the members
OF the congregation had grown up under
his eyes There had never been any dis
sensions in the church and he did not
wish that there should be-
About six years ago Mrs. Suydam was
taken Ill and has been prostrated ever
since, until within a comparatively short
time. be had TO take her to Hot Springs
and number OF other resorts for inval-
Ids by order of his physician, and hree
different times had taken her home to
die, the doctors having given up all hope.
For this reason he was compelled to
spend a good deal Of time travelling.
They returned about the first of Septem-
Der, he having just recovered from q se-
we're Illness himself
TOO LONG THEIR PASTOR.
1t then occurred to him that perhaps
there was such thing as PASTORS being
q Is people knew when he gave OUT q text
just what his sermon would be. and he
thought they were getting tired OF him
IL had been his design when he returned
al this time to locate permanently in Jer-
sey City, but when this idea took posses
sion OF him ne handed In nis resignation.
and 20 avoid his wife's being worried BY
conversation upon the matter shey re-
moved to New York
When the consistory received his resis-
nation they asked him TO withdraw ID.
He said he would do so If the voice of his
congregation was IN favor Of such q step.
The cons1st0ry did not inquire as 10 the
wishes OF the msjerity of the members:
but some OF the ladies OF the church. hav-
ing heard OF his desire 70 know the wish
OF his people. went about with a petition
10 the consistory that they refuse to ac-
cept the resignation. and a large major
ity OF the members signed it, SO many in
fact that DIR. Snydam said II he was new
pastor aud had such large number Of
parishioners n his favor he should feel
greatly iattered. The petition was pre-
sented TO the consistory and BY them in
turn to Mr.. Suydam himself.
NEGOTIATIONS ELSEWHERE
Meanwhile, not knowing lust what he
was going TO do, he had opened negotia-
tions with two or three churches to
preach while he was free and In one OF
them he has promised TO preach for sew
eral Sundays. When the consistory
showed him the petition he told them OF
his agreement 10 preach as lust stated
and they agreed with him that be was IN
honor bound to keep TO his contract.
That Is the present state of affairs and
It looks very much as though DR.. Suy-
dam would soon be on the same footing
as OF old with his flock.