New-York tribune., 1893-12-01
rs DIR. PAXTON IN OR OUT!
DIFFERING VIEWS OF THE SITUATION.
SOME OF THE WEST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
MEMBERS INSIST THAT HE is STILL

SOME OF THE WEST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
MEMBERS INSIST THAT HE is STILL
pAsToR-oTHEa SAY HE is NOT
The meeting Of the West Presbyterian Church
which was held on Wednesday evening ior the
nurpose Of dsposing Of the question OF the
resignation Of the Rev. DIR. Paxton the pastor OF
the church. instead of settling the vexed ques-
,iop. seems to have plunged the congregation
into greater uncertainty than ever ASIDE from
the strong feelings entertained by each side in
tho controversy the situation is peculiar. Dr.
paxton sent his resignation to the church. The
sassion recommended that 1t be accepted. the
oh,,rch held a meeting and after an exciting de-
hate voted TO request Or. Paxton to withdraw his
ros,gnation and appointed a committee to wait
unon him. At the request OF the committee DIR.
psx,on authorized them to announce that he
.,.,,harew his resignation. The committee re-
.d this fact to the meeting of the church
"wednesday evening. The report was ac-
oon,od but a motion to adopt it was lost by a
vote Of 9S to So
Now the question is. "Is DR.. Paxton still pas
or Of the church. having withdrawn his resigna-
,;on or is the final vote at Wednesdays meeting
IN he construed as a refusal on the part of the
church 10 allow him to withdraw his resigna-
uon?" Opinions differ this point and both
the friends and opponents of DIR. Paxton seem
TO be waiting to let the affair settle itself in
some way or other DR.. Paxton is at Bridge
Vile Penn. so his views on the subject could
not be learned.
DIR. Joseph Finch. one of the committee who
conferred with Dr. Paxton, was seen at his home,
No 1O6 West Forty-fourth-st.. by Tribune re-
porter last evening. DR.. Finch said
..Dr Paxton is still pastor of the church.
have little doubt that he will return to us strong
and we'll and continue the good work he has
been doing The stories that have been circu-
lated about him are false. He does take glass
Of wine occasionally but don't believe that he
ever was drunk. There is no proof forthcoming
from DR.. PaXtons critics.
after what has happened, will cause any split
IN the church?' was asked.
81 think it likely that few may go out
three or four, perhaps. But they are not men
who give largely to the support of the church.
nor are they men of large moral influence
They are better out than in. If they should
empty the church. DR. Paxton would fill it,
such is his wonderful preaching power and per
sonal magnetism. / have not heard from Dr.
Paxton since the last meeting. What will come
Of it l cannot say. The future is probiemat-
ical"
Robert Jaffray, member Of the session and
Board of Trustees. one of those who recon-
nsnded that Dr. PaXton'S resignation be ac-
cepted. declined to discuss the probable effect
on the church which the return of Dir. Paxton
would nave. lie Salu. however, tHdt III mo
opinion DR.. Paxton was legally the pastor OF
the church.
Russell Sage takes a different view. He told
a Tribune reporter who him at his home
last evening that he would renew his offer To
give $40 900 to the church il he was not correct
in the position which he took at the meeting on
Wednesday, that DR.. Paxton ceased TO be pas
tor of the church the moment his resignation
was in the hands of the secretary. and that IL
would be necessary to re-elect him II ne
was to resume his pastoral duties. Il am
ohar0 0f txan
Sage, land | know what | am talking about
This case was decided when Mr.. Belknap. Sec
retary of War under General Grant. resigned
The Senate tried to mpeach him for malfeas-
ance in office, but while the proceedings We're
going on he met President Grant in the street
and gave him his resignation. The Supreme
Court decided that after that Mr. Belllnap was
no longer Secretary Of War. and could not be
impeached.
We proceed on the same policy in the West
ern Union and in all the corporations In which
j am interested. When a resignation is in that
settles it. DR.. Paxton is no longer pastor OF the
church. I will give $4,000 to the church II this
Is not So"