The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-09
DIDN'T LIKE SOCIALS.
Why Pastor Mcmillan Is Out of
Grace ii. L. Church.
AGAINST DEBT. RAISING SCHEMES
An Oyster Festival which Caused .
Split in the Flock and the Shep.
herds Removal.

The members OF Grace Methodist Episcopal
church, in the eastern part of this city, look
ing Tor new pastor to succeed Rev. w. p. Nc
Miiian, removed by the presiding elder week
ago, cecause OF an absence OF harmony in the
society. The membership during the last six
months has fallen from about 100 to about
twenty-five and the attendance and interest in
tue anars OF the society have decreased CORE
spondingiy. The trouble is due 70 the stand
that the pastor took upon the subject Of church
soclals, MS sentiments being so strongly opposed
10 that feature of the church work that he
Drought Gown the antagonism of so many of his
nock that the final result was his removal.
MI. Mcmillan came to the charge last septem-
per under somewhat peculiar circumstances.
Inc church was heavily in debt, less than 1000
OF us sS,UO0 worth OF property being paid Tor. 1t
had line new building on Rainier street and
large following. Just before conference num-
Der OF the strong supporters OF the church got on
the track OF preacher whom they wanted to
succeed the Rev. Mr.. Brown. They accordingly
sent petition to the bishop to leave Grace
supplied, 50 that they might get their choice.
Against the wishes of the petitioners, however,
the bishop appointed pastor to the
church, and Rev. Mr.. Mcmillan was
duly installed. While not at all relishing this
treatment and considering themselves badly
used, the members determined to make the best
OF 1t Tor year and to lend their support and in
fuence in behalf OF the new pastor. In accord
ance with this idea they got together the first
week and not only gave the pastor a fine recep-
ton but they soon wiped out between s. COO and
5000 of the church debt. Everything then went
smoothly for some time =
About two months ago the ladies OF the church
proposed IS a means toward paying off the
church obligations to get up an oyster supper
and social. The pastor did not give his sup
port to the scheme, and when notice
pulpit he refused to do as requested One of
the members of the church then made the an
nouncement and the social was held in the par
lors of the church and large number of tho
members of the church were present.
Mr. Mcmillan continued to preach, but the re-
lations between the pastor aud his flock rapidly
grew less and less cordial until the flock threat
ened to disappear entirely. Then the pastor
was removed. He had personal following in
the church and many of these, while favoring
socials, thought that the pastor should be sup
ported any way This following rendered Mr.
Mcmillan and his wife farewell reception last
Friday.
handed to the PosT-IsTELLIG ENcEE for publica-
ton:
SEATTLE, Wash, Feb. :, 1892.
We, the undersigned, were appointed COM
mittee by the quarterly conference OF Grace NJ.
f. church, held January 2s, 1892, to draw up
resolutions in reference to the departure of our
beloved pastor, the Rev. W. Il. Mcmillan.
WHEREAS, The Rev. W. B. Mcmillin was ap-
pointed to Grace NJ f. church by the last an
nual conference, held at Aberdeen, WASH, and
WHEREAS. The church WAS then in great
financial difficulty, with an exceedingly small
membership, and
WHEREAS, The means proposed for helping to
raise money for the debt on said church has
caused division OF sentiment, thereby causing
much unpleasantness and newspaper contro-
versy; therefore,
RESOLVED, That we very much regret to part
with the Rev. w. h. Mcmillan and his esteemed
wife, and regard him simply the victim OF I'M
Just criticism.
Resolved, That we fully indorse the action
taken by him in reference to these so-called
''socials, and express our utmost confidence in
him as dutiful pastor, a Jealous Christian and
faithful expounder OF the word of God.
RESOLVED, That copy of these minutes be
given the daily papers. Signed,
MRS. f. s. TwICHELL,
Mrs. FoRBY,
THOMAS Z. ELLIOTT,
CommiNee.
e<;fI t. a;sx- a