The Jersey City news., 1892-02-16
ONLY A LITTLE BLIGHT
But 1t Laid a Heavy Frost
On the Lafayette M. E.
Church.
AND A FREEzE-OUT RESULTED.
Soon Blight Will Go and Little Will
Come and the Angel Of
Peace Will Incubate
and Think.

NeXG April is the aittinR-t1me Tor
ministers of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in this vicinity. That time will
put an end to sweet state Of things In
Lafayette. where the Lafayette NJ. e.
Church Is located. Peace and harmony
ought to be located in the same spot, but
somehow they seem to have missed con-
nection.
There was a time when the congrega-
tion Of the Lafayette NJ. e. Church dwelt
together in unity, but that was when
they were building their stately new
church, and it was case of "d.vided we
fall" The church once built. trouble
began. The pastorate of the Rev. J.
Wesley Johnson, who immedi-
ately preceded the present incumbent.
ended rather abruptly. He received
another, presumably louder, call, ac-
cepted, and in November left the church
half dazed by his sudden exit. So the
congregation was pastorless until April,
to the pulpit, which he still occu pies. In
spite of the unpromising situation. the
new minister made host of friends, and
the congregation settled down for sea-
son Of calm. 1t took them just about q
year to get over this.
A LITTLE CLOUD.
Then there was a meeting of the Sum-
DAY school Association, at which the
Superintendent, MIR. r. T. Wheeler, pre-
sided. Now the rules give the pastor
authority to preside at each meeting, it Is
said, if he chooses to exercise it. Pastor
Blight did SO choose, and they do say
that Mr.. Wheeler was highly dis
pleased, but the pastor kept the chair.
Then the Association met again.
entertainment and the question arose
whether the Board of Trustees or the
Sunday School Association should handle
the proceeds. Nothing very important,
but behold how great a matter little
fire kindleth Everybody made
speeches were highly personal. And what
a list OF uncharitable things they said
about the poor minister, who, that time
at least, was really trying to act for the
best. In fact debate-by courtesy
waxed so high, that the more Judicial
members went over to the ministers side
out Of sheer sympathy for the oppressed.
Now all this was not calculated to restore
perfect harmony an d happiness
Finally the crisis came. A hundred
church members decided that they
couldn't, ouldn't and shouldn't stand it
another minute, 30 off they went and
seeded in a body, the whole hundred of
them, and solemnly declared that not one
would set foot in the church again while
Pastor Blight was in the pulpit.
Candor compels the statement that they
did not all keep their promise; in fact
there are now only about thirty who are
concerned in the ecclesiastical boycott.
Only five have Joined other churches. the
rest stayed home and grimly waited for
the Rev. Mr.. Blight to end his pastorate.
ALMOST TO ZERO.
The situation was rapidly growing
strained. The congregation went down
from $50 to 80, and the basket collections
decreased accordingly. Whenever the
Rev. Mr.. Blight exchanged pulpiUs with
another preacher, in would flock the So
ceded members. I'LL the church to over
| flowing and stay away with great accur-
| acy as soon as the pastor returned. Min
| listers have tried many ways of drawing
crowd, but it isn't often they can do 1t by
| staying away.
Asis generally understood, the term of
pastor in the Methodist Episcopal
| Church may be from two to five years.
After the second year the pastor may be
retained in Office by recall from his con-
gregation. When it came time to issue
| Mr. Blight's last recall the air was
of mind in which the Sc
ceded members found themselves was
something heart rending, and it was inn
proved by the announcement that the
| Board OF rrus9ees had met and extended
| to the Rev. P. G. Blight an unanimous
recall. Then everybody drew long
| breath and settled down for few days
more. Meantime the Board met again.
and things came to head. 1t is said that
| the pastor implied that the treasurer's
accounts needed investigation.
PET NAMES EXCHANGED.
| 1t is said that the treasurer implied that
| the pastor didn't tell the truth. Ii is also
| said that everybody called everybody else
names, and that finally the treasurer de-
clared that either he or the pastor would
have to leave. Said the pastor, Leave,
| then-I won't"
The Treasurer made out his resignation
handed it in, and-the Board refused to
accept it,. This rather pointed hint
reused the ire of the pastor, so they say,
and things grew uncomfortable agaln
until Mrs. Blight upstairs heard the
| echoes of the fray, descended on the meet
| ing like a sergeant-at-arms and de-
| cared that they should meet no more
| in the parsonage The trustees ned
| reconsidered the recall, and the Rev. +.
| G. Blight's resignation was offered I'M
medlaIely after. Soon the 29th of March
the Rev. Mr.. Blight leaves the church In
LAFAYETTE, and the Rev. Mr.. Little or
Staten Island takes his place.
And of course there will be peace ana
harmony and loving kindness then.