New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-03
DIR. PAXTON AND HIS CHURCH
THE SITUATION NOT LIKELY TO CHANGE
FOR SEVERAL DAYS
\ MEETING OF THE TRUSTEES TO BE HELD THIS
wEEK-E. c. VAN CLAIM MAKES
A STATEMENT.


The condition of things In the West Presbyterian
Church in regard to the resignation of the Rev. Dr.
John r. Paxton will probably not be altered until
after the meeting of the trustees. which Will
take place this week. Reports were current yester-
day that Edward H. Perkins, jr.. chairman of the
board, would be requested to resign his place. but
Mr. Perkins himself said that he had not as yet
been asked to do So and had heard nothing OF
the rumor. 1t Is not improbable, however, tnat ne
will present a statement to his associates giving
his views of tho controversy In manner calcu-
lated to correct misunderstanding and remove
false impressions of his alleged attitude Of hostility
to DR.. Paxton. He certainly does not show any
hostility In his conversation On the contrary, he
manifests spirit of the utmost kindness toward
the preacher. and cannot believe that Dr. Paxton
has expressed himself he has been represented
as doing in recent interviews concerning him.
The prominent people in the church are loath TO
say anything in regard to the trouble except those
things which shall express loyalty to DR.. Paxton
and contempt for his defamers. 1t is no secret
that DR.. Paxton has long been great sufferer
from painful physical ailments, largely the result
Of his service in the Army. W. H. Cranberry
characterized story printed yesterday bearing
upon the alleged convvial habits of Dr. Paxton. In
well-measured and carefully weighed words OF de-
NAL of the statements contained therein lie sad
there had been rumors of many kinds regarding
DIR. Paxton but whenever attempt was made
to seek the original fountains whence they came
no one could be found who would assume response
bility for them AS he expressed 1t, I'VE would
hear this from the lips Of D. who said that he
had been told 1t by &C., who, in turn. would say
he heard 1t from b, but when we tried TO locate
"A he never could be found. That Is not fair.
The person who gave those statements to the re-
porter ought to have courage enough to give his
name go and hide his head in the sand
DIR. PAXToN's PHYSICAL TROUBLES
The character Of DR.. Paxtons physical Affections
IS SO serious that he has been obliged to undergo
fin0c
borne herocay. That the effects have left their
permanent traces upon the victim there Is no DOUBT
and it is said that his condition developed much
sympathy with him on the part OF his most IN
Auental parishioner 1t is also said that many
years ago his admirers in the church circle pIr-
chased, at cost of S6OoO, the mouse IN which ne ne
has s6ee ye1 sna lift and as Of the
tees said yesterday, Had Or; Paxton ded the heNi
have been as complete owner Of it as she is
now. for the house was not treated as mere
parsonage but was bestowed upon the wife of Dr.
Paxton as an expression OF personal regard ,d ana
affection for her HUSBAND 9y the has
ments of his savings, which from time to time have
yielded him proaaPe PIER bavs naraX been many
calls upon him. so that his sl5cO salary, after AL
social and charitable claims made upon clergy
'' Comnlants have come from some sources. 1t is
said regarding the long serm99s preached by Dr
such complaints alege that the protests were really
intended in kindness and not from any lack OF IN
a
ing speaker constantly giving expression to original
and entertaining thoughts. 1t is declared by some
resignation and retirement that the Of stimu-
iants by him was in pursuance of medical advice:
Temperament and possessed Of brain Of extraor
binary activity. Then again. it is alleged That
in the application OF their true meaning, lie has
certainly. spoken plainly from his pulpit in outlini
Of ~ hard times now prevailing Several weeks ago
he preached a sermon in which he was reported to
haVe a Il
could not find work he must steal. A Tribune re-
porter talked with him afterward regarding TINS
that a man who could not get work and was willing
to work might through his necessities be led to
he preached to relieve misery OF this kind in order
that human soul might be protected from inspira-
ton TO the commission OF crime through sheer
distress.
WHAT MR.. VAN CLAIM SAYS.
As an Illustration of the intensity Of feeling
stirred up in the church, Edward c. Van CLAIM
was reported TO have exclaimed at a meeting on
wednesday evening: 'Dr. Paxtons shame is
known wherever his name is Mr.. Van Claim
gave to the press yesterday this signed statement;
"In my speech of Wednesday evening, which
has been widely quoted stated that men,
Der OF the session OF the West Church / wanted
the congregation to understand we had considered
the matter of DR.. Paxtons resignation carefully
his best interests and for the best interests OF
mousy recommended to the congregation the ac-
ceptance OF his resignation. but that through the
intervention OF of his so-called friends. who
insisted knowing the truth great injury has
been done him, and then made the remark which:
1t seemed TO offend few Of the members. !
afterward withdrew. 1t was this last criticism
which / made OF the committee who brought in
indignation, and has since been misconstrued as
an attack on DR. Paxton and which wish cor,
had full confidence in the session. and that is
all wanted to prove"