New-York tribune., 1891-05-01
DIR. BRIDGMAN'S ACTION.
HIS CONGREGATION SURPRISED AND
GRIEVED.
MEMBERS BEG HIM TO RECONSIDER HIS
RESIGNATIoN-DR. MACARTHUR ON


The sensation OF yesterday In religious circles of
this city was the resignation Of the Rev. Dr. c. De W.
Bridgmsn pastor Of the Madison Avenue Baptist
Church, which published exclusively in The
Tribune. The resignation the result Of the ser
mon preached on February 10, which contained views
upon future punishment not In accord with those held
by few members of the Doctors congregation. To
the majority Of the minister's congregation the resgna
tion read Wednesday evening after the regular
weekly service complete surprise. Although
there considerable discussion of the doctrine
| advocated so eloquently by DIR. Brdgman after the
Sunday Of its delivery, few members Of his large
flock had the least idea that the slight opposition to
his views would lead their minister to take
radical step.
on Wednesday evening, in fact, the people who
heard the letter taken so unawares that they
hardly discussed its contents. committee consist
ing Of John p. Townsend, Joseph Milbank j. A. Bene
dict, L. D. White Robert Rogers, J. H. Coghil, J.
Winterton Hugh Porter and b. @. C0ley ap-
pointed by the congregation to endeavor to induce
the pastor TO reconsider his step and withdraw his
resignation. Late Wednesday night large numbers
of the Doctors congregation visited him at his house
to express their sorrow his severance Of connec
ton with the church and their hope that he would
decide to remain its pastor. During yesterday other
members called at the parsonage the same Grand
Last evening the committee, although it had had no
time to prepare formal protest against Dr. Brdg
mans action, called upon the preacher and urged him
to remain their pastor. None was more ardent In his
plea than Mr.. Townsend, who Wednesday night
wrote to the Doctor The resignation fell like thun-
derbot the meeting and the church could not realize
but what YOU could be persuaded to remain with the
congregation"
Dr. Bridgman greatly affected by the proofs Of
the love and respect in which the members of his
church held him, and their honest efforts to induce
him to remain at their head. He gave definite de-
cOn however, in to their protest last evening
He promised, however to consider their requests and
to reach definite decision in the shortest possible
time. With that the members of the committee were
obliged to declare themselves content.
Almost without exception the members Of the con
gregaton of the Madison Avenue Church and
welLknown Baptist of this city expressed as their
belief that DR.. Bridgman could be induced to with
draw his resignation, and that his radical step had
been unnecessary.
This too the opinion of the Rev. DR.. X. S.
Macarthur, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. In
conversation with Tribune reporter yesterday Dr.
Macarthur said that he had been greatly surprised by
the announcement of the resignation, which he had
read in The Tribune. lie had read the reasons given
by the Doctor for his course carefully, but he coud
see in the statements published nothing that should
lead TO "a resignation. "The most that could be SAID,
added the Doctor, is that the sermon preached and
the discussions which followed were. perhaps the oc-
cason Of but l can hardly think them the cause Of
the resignation. / am known being rather
conservative in my theological views, bat
conservative as / am l do not think there Is any
real ground for action either on the part OF the
Church. or by Dr. Bridgman. Baptsts are conscrVa-
tive as body in the Interpretation of the Scriptures
They stand with remarkable unanimty for the ola
faith but at the same tme they great believers
I'm soul liberty We have stood all through the ages
for the right Of private Interpretation OF the scriptures
We do not bow TO the authority OF presbytery synod
bishop or Pope We hold that every man Is respohSlDe
to his conscience and his God We do not expect all
fnfpv te1 in IN
the passages In Gods Word. l woud not agree
suppose with Or. Bridgman in the Interpretation OF
several passages of Scripture, but would allow nm
the liberty interpretations which should claim
for myself"
Dr. Macarthur added that the best thinkers in the
Baptist Church held that future rewards and punish
ments were not due 10 arbitrary enactments by God.
They were the result rather, of inevitable moral laws
Wherever there was sin, there must be suffering
Suffering followed sin the shadow followed the sub
stance.
Dr. Bridgman had long been known, according to
Dr. Macarthur as being somewhat liberal in his theO
! logical views But this fact had been well known
by hi. church. Most Of the members had Joined II
under his own ministry. "They must have done so,
he added, "with full knowledge of his views lie
is not the kind OF to have one set OF views for
private and another public lie is always per
fecEy frank end outspoken The church has gathered
about him in personal and delightful way. lie has
developed the generosity of the people so that they
are now in some lines Of Baptist mission work, IN
the front rank Of our churches His letter of resgna-
ton shows an admirable spirit, and his whole manner
is that Of cultured Christian gentleman. am sure
that all his brethren In tho ministry would greatly
regret his resignation of the pasorate Of the church
I have never heard a hint TO any desire On the
mart OF other Baptist ministers to subject him to
severe criticism or any of his views. There is room
in tie Baptist denomination for men who differ on
nonessentlals, long as they are loyal to the
fundamental principles OF the Gospel
"My own view is that the word of God clearly
teaches that the misery Of he'll is as en-
dnrinc as tie happiness Of heaven. The
logic which closes hell closes heaven. The Saviour
applled exactly the word TO each as descriptive
Of ibe duration Of each. But we must always remem-
her that while heaven and hell are places, their
essential element is q condition rather than place
say il reverently, but emphatlcay, that God Him
self cannot keep man out OF hell so long as that
man hates purity and loves sln
Il repeat" said the Doctor, that can see 10
reason why DR.. Bridsman should resign his place.
uness there be reasons in his relations to the church
not known 10 the general public understand
committee has been appointed to induce him. If possible,
IN Withdraw his resignation. l sincerely hope that
il will be successful
EV Low one Of the trustees of the Madison Avenue
Church was greatly disappointed also at the decision
of Dr. Brdgman lie was of the opinion tlat MS
departure would break up the church entirely
IL liked DR.. Brldgman,' added Mr.. Low "es-
rociorv on account Of his broad views. There IS
no,b,nc bgoted about Lin. His resignation is
great surprise as did not know that he had con
templated taking such step. l did not hear the
sermon on February IL, although heard 1t discussed
somewhat since then, but l think tEe1e
Is no occasion for his resignation. There were
only few narrow bigotted people who objected to his
doctrine OF future punishment and who tried 70 sur up
the congregation because of It, admire him for ms
catholic views feel that Il DIR. Brdgman leaves the
Madison Avenue Church, should not care - remain
there longer. His resignation was bombsheli. l
t,usf we shall be able to induce him to withdraw it,
Only one OF the deacons who was seen ny the re-
i1rdcman,s views Yet ne TOO, surprised that
his resignation been offered. had DeIeVeC, he
added . that the trouble had blown over We had
number OF conferences with the Doctor after he ha1
| 4. ..nAI laIN Nnl