The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-05-10
A CHURCH MILITANT.
No End of Bitter Talk at the
Meeting of Mr.. Nc
Ke1vey'S Flock.
MAJORITY FOR THE PASTOR.
Hard Names Called and Accusa-
tions Bandied-TreaSurer
Blake In 1t.

byterian Church met last night for the
purpose of asking the Rev. Alexander
McKelvey to reconsider his decision to re-
sign as pastor. No one knew of the
| amount of i'll feeling that existed among
members until the meeting was opened.
A fine row was the result and the pros
poets are that the bonds of fellowship
that bind this usually serene congrega-
ton together will be severed.
Prior to the meeting, several of the gen.
| tlemen of the congregation loitered about
the front of the church. The advisa-
| bility of reducing Pastor McKelvey's
| salary 5000 per year, making 1t 81, SO0, was
| being discussed quietly when Thomas
| Bell. candidate tor ministerial honors
under Mr.. McKelvey's guardianship, put
| in an appearance.
One of the Oldest members of the con-
gregation, one MIR. James Knox, was
| ventilating his ideas at the time. Bell
| listened to his assault upon DR.. McKelvey
| for a few moments. Then, being unable
| Mr.. Knox of never coming to church un-
| less he wanted to make ''kick" of some
kind.
Mr.. Knox's righteous indignation was
| instantly aroused and in a tone that
caused his hearers to shudder he called
Doll a ulELy Sucdk anu dCSuSC0 hih4 Va
never paying anything TO the support of
| the church.
A fistfight would have been the result
of these remarks had not friends of the
men separated them.
THE SALARY ISSUE.
The Introductory row was soon noised
| about, and Trustee McMasters deemed it
advisable to call the meeting to order to
prevent further ouubursts of feeling on
| the public street. Elder Darling offered
| up prayer, and then the object of the
| meeting was stated by Chairman Nc
| Masters. The question of reducing Mr..
| McKelvey's salary was first taken up.
| Mr. Malliett endeavored to pour oil
upon the troubled waters by stating that
every expense of the church had been
fully arranged for and that no shortage
could occur. He favored paying Mr..
moment Mr.. Malliett finished speaking
several anti-McKelveyites demanded
| more explicit information.
| "Where's the money coming from?"
they asked. ~
| aud the remaining 5000 necessary is to be
| given by Mr.. John Menagh."
| Mr.. Menagh corroborated Mr.. Malliett'S
statement, and remarked that he hoped
l further discussion over the salary Ques-
tion would cease, as 1t was unnecessary.
condition.
The meeting had been comparatively
orderly up to this time, but Mr.. Knox,
who is not particularly impressed with
| Mr. Menagh's actions in church matters,
said something about backsliders, and
concluded his attack by saying, II like to
see a man be man at all times"
Thomas Bell jumped to his feet and
raised point.of order.
You sit down." yelled Mr.. Knox.
| "What right have you to interrupt me.
| That man" (meaning Belly ''insulted me,
| and am not afraid to speak. This man
| Bell is protege of this church and he is
| a fine duck to insult me. | won't stand
| it."
Yells for order filed the air. The ladies
| hissed, and called upon the chairman to
| maintain order. The greatest excitement
| prevailed.
Trustee Charles Allen attacked Menagh
| and accused him of having harshly criti-
cised the pastor. Mr.. Knox again began
a personal TRADE. He was frequently in
| terrupted by the excited members, many
Of whom threatened to leave ii he was not
| compelled to keep quiet.
| Elder William German finally called q
| halt in the proceedings by remarkipg
| that no respectable minister would con-
| slider vote passed at meeting where
| such scenes had occurred.
| Harmony seems to have departed
| said Mr.. German. 81 hope that those
| present who wish to speak will do so
| quietly. now move that we take a vote
to ask Mr.. McKelvey. to reconsider his
decision of leaving u.s."
M'KELvEY WINS.
| Mr.. Germans suggestion was adopted
| and Messrs. Coons and Campman were
appointed tellers. Ninety-six ballots
| were cast sixty-five asking Mr.. McKelvey
to reconsider his decision. thirty against
and one blank. The supporters of Mr..
| McKelvey were on whole jubilant but
| others appreciated the fact that such a
| vote demonstrated the fact that ill feeling
| ing existed among the members and that,
therefore. Mr.. Mckelvey would probably
decline to again assume control Of the
| church.
| CAUSE OF THE WAR.
The present trouble is said to have
emanated from personal grievances
against the ex-treasurer. George Blake.
Treasurer Blake upon presenting his
last report showed that the church was
rapidly running behind and stated that
in order to keep the church's head above
water the pastors salary must be re-
duced. An Investigation into the matter
| showed that certaid gentlemen who gave
largely to the support of the church had
declined TO give cent while Blake was
treasurer.
AS soon as he retired from the Office
these gentlemen began to subscribe again.
| and, as a result, the financial condition of
the church is all that could be desired,
| Treasurer Blake, who has been accused
| of Juggling the figures in his report, de-
MED the statement last night and insists
that the Auditing Committee go over his
| books.
| 1t WAS decided that this should be done.
! The meeting adjourned. but little hope is
expressed that Mr.. McKelvey will return
| to the church. Mr.. McKelvey starts to-
morrow for the General Assembly, to be
held at Portland, Oregon.