New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-17
4 LETTER FROM DIR. JAMES Mcleod.
REPLY TO THE CHARGES READ IL THE FOURTH
AVENUE CHURCH.

REPLY TO THE CHARGES READ IL THE FOURTH
AVENUE CHURCH.
To tho Editor Of The Tribune
sir. AZ n meeting held IN the Fourth Avenue Pres
hycriam Church. New York, on the evening OF Inc
l1tL inst. when my name was discussed quite Freely
tho report OF the meeting In The Tribune contained the
following paragraph:
"Upon request, DR. ". T.. Billiard read a letter
which he Lad received from aunt Of his living In
IpdIanapolis In which she spoke In unqualified terms
against Dr. Mcleod She sad. among other things,
that when he began his pastoratc there he had hll
church. but preached If, congregation away nntil he
spoke 10 empty seats that he did not pay his debts,
and that he was lacking in lntcllcc tnnlity.'
As use Of the statements In this paragraph Is a
serious reflection upon my character. wrote at once
10 Dr. BulIard the following letter. which am sure
The Tribune will do me the justice 10 publish Truly
yours. JAMES McLf'op'
Albany, MAY H. 1907
DR.. W. f. Bulard-Dcar Sir: A paragraph which /
have marked in the inclo,cd clipping from today
The prominent and unexpected way in which have
been discussed In connection with the vacant pnlplt
Of the Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church is, 10 say
the least. surprising.
In II letter 70 one Of the elders: which. suppose.
tanly authorized and intended II 10 be read cX-
planned my attitude toward the vacant pulpit, and
protested rs strongly ~ ! could against any further
discussion Or the getting up OF any more fceng over
my ,
Inl pelnhpa ! n"h " opJ'''' -
man is. In a sense public property. and no minister
OF the Gospel who is worthy Of Standing In The Fourth
Avenue pulpit. any other Christian pulpit. has
right 10 object TO the most searching inquiry into his
record TO that have not the least objection IL Is
not pleasant to be told that | am lacking In intel
lcrtuaty,- bnt dare say 10 is true, though hope
not stand quite low In the estimation of All my
friends as | do in that Of your " aunt Nor j. II
pleasant 10 be told that preached a congregation
away, until ! spoke TO empty scats' ON this
point IN appeal TO the facts and 10 the records OF
Inc General Assembly is all that have right - ask
Ent the statement which wounds 10 the quick +
his deb hat burf
ie a reflection upon my character which ] have n
nrht 10 resent. ! hardly think thnt yon. sir,
,yend make such statement. upon the author
ity OF yoiIr aunt.' without attempt Of iis vcri-
gcation | respectfully ask you therefore, for the
evidence upDn which yon based rather repeated.
so crueI n charge. | think will be able 10 satisfy
Won that II IL absolutely and unq,nicily false.
rrom The day ] licensed 10 preach the Gospel
until this Ionr incurred debt that ! did
moi see nv way clearly 10 pay. and h9v" never
Incurred n debt that have not paid. IL there be n
single Individual in Indianapolis 10 whom owe any
other debt than tina, Of Christian love. do not Know
r. and II the proofs Of such Indebtedness arc furnished
mo am ready and able 10 discharge IT,
think have II right to demand rom to'h you
and yonr aunt complete retraction and an ample
apology for making such CHARGE: . $500,
NV character + my capital IL Is IN" only ierary
| I am likely to leave 10 children am ms IcalnnS
| ~ as nv critic. I'm the FOnrth Avenue l'rcSby-
terrain Church are anxious TO sHchrc WORTHY .u,
| cesar TO DR. Crosby They have right ana u Is
their duty 10 gusrd their pulpit bnt they nave no
Ieht 10 bcsmlrch nv character am. sir yonr. truly
Albany, n Y, May Io. 1892. JAMES MCLEOD