New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-10
THE PLYMOUTH CHURCH PROPERTY.
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE
FROM THE PRISBYTERIANs.

FROM THE PRISBY TE1ANS.
TO the Edttor Of The Tribune.
Sir: II the circumstances attending the original pur
chase OF the Plymouth Church property Of sufi-
cent general interest perhaps you will find for
a few words In addition to what You have recently
printed on the subject. The communication signed
Senior" which appeared in last Mondays Tribune,
WIS substantially accurntc TO The facts, far as
they seem to have been within the knowledge OF
SENIOR: though the omission OF what preceded the
story ms "Senior' has II. renders his narrative In
effect inaccurate and unjust. II IS perhaps rather
late for n telling Of this episode. now that all
but one OF those participating In 1t are dead; es-
peciay as n statement Of the fact by the principal
actors printed twenty years ago. while three OF
the four living and credence will undoubtedly be
withheld from any essentially different statement made
now Fortunately for all interested In the matter the
facts fully stated In the reminiscent papers Of
Messrs. John T. Howard and Henry {. Bowen which
were read at the Plymouth Church 81 silver Wedding
In 1879 and were subsequently printed.
The project Of purchasing the First Presbyterian
Church property for a Congregational Church
first conceived when Mr.. Howard learned from Cyrus
p. Smith, in conversation while crossing
the ferry that, II the property could be advan
tageously sold, the Presbyterian Church would
be glad TO move further uptown struck with the
opportunity for extending COngregationalism, Mr..
Howard conSulted David Hale, Of the Broadway
Tabernacle. an old friend. man Of means. and an
enthusiast on Congcgationalsm. and secured his CO
operation and support. including the enlistment by
him Of Messrs. Henry c. Bowen and Seth b. Hunt
In the enterprise 1t is az this point that MIR.
nowen,s narrative in 1872 begins with Mr.. Iialcs
coming to him with the proposition. He them
said Mr.. Bowen, Opened the practical part OF the
subject by stating that he had Interview with
Mr.. John T. Howard In relation TO the purchase Of
the property. . He desired to unite with
himself and Mr.. Seth B. Hunt each person
,,.foa ~
sid property Mr.. Bowen then told how with the
financial Endorsement Of these three gentlemen Of
means and devotedness Mr.. Howard was enabled 10
carry out the plan he had conceived That he was
In any sense broker as SenOr' states. charged
with the execution Of their plan. Mr. Bowens narr7i
i've offered opportunity to suppose. The notcs
of Messrs Bowen and Hunt. discounted ut Mr. Halcs
bank secured the purchase money until the Church
able 10 assist the Obligation as II quickly did,
and 10 relieve them from all responsibility.
called forth senior's' COMMUNICATION the
property purchased by John T. Howard. and was
is undoubtedly incorrect. And II was corrcc,
the impression which had been current that
Howard authorized the statement. when the silver
wedding exercises afford d suitable opportunity,
that the only actual money required In the entire
transaction. apart from the bank funds proceeding
Howard had paid at the outset ~ bind the bargain.
This statement was In the nature OF disclaimer Oh
Mr.. ifowards part OF credit for what he had no
done.
:'Scnior,,. Is a,a,ny as 70 Mr.. Howards church re
laons. lie and his family were regular attendants
not ut Bap,is. Church but at the Congregational
Church OF the Pilgrims. Mr.. Cyrus r. Smith did
brothcr-innw uhe late Dr. John II. Raymond. Of
, NasSnr College,. who Baptist clergyman and
Mr.. Howard Cid not contradict him. Mr.. Alfred r.
Edwards. elder in the Third Presbyterian Church
which Mr. Howard had left TO join the Church Of
the Pilgrims u year before urged on Mr.. Howard that
his badly located church then occupying what Is
the Maynower Mission bndinEl was entitled TO the
ST.: arc ut Mr. Towards request. Mr.. Smith him
limited option. But on his failure to raise tn
sary amount Mr. Howard completed .hc purchase
originally conceived bv him and by him cnrripd
with the financial support derived from the credit OF
his prosperous brethren. NV statements based
the authority 81 the seniors written and verbal :
though sign myself, respectfully yours JUNIOR.
BROOKLYN, June g. 1902.