The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-02-17
THAT CHURCH BLIGHT
Treasurer Spengeman Re-
views the Trouble Quite
a Way Back.
ACCUSATIONS OF MALICE
Did the Membership and Finances
Fall 0ff?-The Pastor
Criticized.

Mr.. f. H. Spengeman. real estate deal
er at No. 256 Washington street, who wor-
ships Mammon six days in the week, and
serves the Lord on the seventh day,
talked to me lsst night abont the trials
and tribulations of the Lafayette NJ. E.
Church. Mr.. Spengeman is the Treas
urer of the church. and has held that
responsible position sin ce the erection of
the present church began.
He pointed out some portions Of the
story which was published exclusively in
THE NEWS yesterday. and denied their
complete accuracy, but admitted
that there had been consider
able trouble in the church. He said:-
"Mr. R. T. Wheeler has not been Su-
nearly two years. He resigned because
of Ill health. The Superintendent since
Mr.. Wheeler resigned has been Charles
Tisda1l. When MIR. Blight became
pastor of the church he claimed
that under the discipline of the Methodist
Church he became the head OF the Sun
aay school also The Rev. F. G. Crown
and several other members objected to
| this assumption of authority and an un-
pleasantness followed. 1t had been
one of Mr.. Crowns duties to assist
at communion, and as the breach be-
| tween him and the pastor widened, the
| church Official board requested Mr..
| Crown to no longer take part in the COM
| muniou. Mr.. Crown and several mem
| bers then withdrew from the church."
HEAVY LOSS.
"Has the church lost much OF its con-
gregation?" l asked.
hot 10 ha frnnhIo has MT nnIV
| lost members under Mr.. Blight, but has
also lost money. The financial support
given the church is much, less
this year than it was during
| preceding years. 1t was this that led to
my individual trouble with Mr.. Blight l
our pastor and felt very bad when
| saw how our church was rum
ming down under his leadership.
Last March the official Board concluded
TO ascertain from Mr.. Blight If he de-
sired the church to give him another call
for year. I;hen had long talk with
the passor and told him how the
| church had lost members and money
under him, and advised him to decline
| another call. talked fairly and plainly
| to him about the subject. Soon
after. the official Board asked Mr.,
| Blight whether he desired to re-
main longer. The pastor said he
4
sideration. There was plenty of time. for
| Conference did not need to be notified
| until three months before it met and the
| meeting does not take place until March
j Ia2a.naxt4a-sNa 70 told the pastor. to take his
own time to determine what he would
do"
RETALIATION.
"Three> weeks later Mr.. Blight Informed
the official board that owing to the recent
| death of his son and other matters, he
had concluded not to ask to be called fol
| another year. He declined to come
| back. He then said that inasmuch
as he was about to sever his connection
| with the church he would like the Official
Board to have the auditors examine the
books of the church treasurer, SO that he
| Mr.. Blight. might make a statement OF
the financial condition of the church"
what next took placer" l asked with
interest
stand the pastors demand; 1T was some.
| thing that had never happened before.
| knew, however, that it was reflection on
me and / Thought that it was said In
malice for what / had told the pastor.
| Immediately denied Mr.. Bright's right
to make such a demand. l told him
that the only report Methodist min
lister makes to conference is of the
amounts of money that the church
has raised for mission and other funds.
said he knew he had no right to take a
list of persons who had not paid in their
subscriptions and submit it to Confer
ence, and / added that it looked to me as
if the pastor was actuated by malice"
"What then happenedS"
| EXEUNT OWNERS.
"I said, But, gentlemen, you may ex-
anime my books any time you desire
| only want it done in proper manner in
Justice to myself. My books are correct
and don't fear inspection OF
| them.' l then formally rendered
| my resignation as Treasurer and asked
| that auditors examine the books
This course is always pursued when s
Treasurer of auy organization resigns
for it is a guarantee to the successor il
office. The Official Board refused tt
accept my resignation and they never
have asked to examine my books. This
will be done next April when go out OF
office"
mfr Blight will also go away from hi:
pastorate in April, supposed
Eyes, the Official Board accepted hi
declinatiou and then after hearing severa
preachers, decided to give a, call to thu
| Rev. Mr.. Little of Staten Island. That il
all l know about the trouble in thu
| oh, ~