New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-16
TRUSTEES DO NOT AGREE.
A YEARS LEAVE OF ABSENCE GRANTED TO
THE REV. DR. PAXTON.


HIS RESIGNATION NOT ACCEPTED by THE WEST
pREsBYTERI AN CuURCH-THE JOINT REPORT
IEcoXsIDE 2ED-MI. JAFFRAY'S ACTION.
The congregation OF the west presbyterian
Church. In West Forty-second-st.. held a long ana
inharmonious meeting last night. at which IL was
decided nv n vote of eghty-five TO sixty not to
accept the Rev. Dr. Paxtons resignation as pas
tor of the church The session OF the church and the
Raard of Trustees presented resolution recon-
mending that Dr. Paxton's resignation be accepted.
This called forth much opposition from the TRENDS
of Dr. Paxton. who said That such nasty acuoh
was out OF place. and they amended the resoin-
ton to the effect that committee be appointed
to confer with Dr. Paxton and to ask him to with
draw his resignation and take years leave OF
absence This amendment was carried. Robert
Jaffray senior elder of the church. then said that
he had been an elder In the church for twenty
eight years, but he would now hand In his resig-
nation. as the congregation had seen III 10 veto the
resolution of the session. which had been prepared
after a careful review Of the circumstances OF the
case.
Mr. JafYray's friends all cried: "Oh. don't do that.
Mr. Jaffray" and the Moderator. the Rev. Frank
IL MarIing Informed Mr.. Jaffray that his resiSna-
ton could be acted upon at that meeting. Mr.
Jaffray then concluded to reconsider his resigna-
tion
The letter of resignation Of Dr. Paxton read
BY the clerk OF the SCsSlOl III IdAtoH III NC
letter that after two monthss vacation he had
found that his health too much impaired
TO continue his work, and he therefore, with the
greatest regret. asked the church to accept ms
resignation. Several kilograms from Dr. Paxton
were also read. in which he said that the session
must accept his resignation
Mr. Perkins read the joint resolution OF the
sesson and the Board Of Trustees. follows:
"Resolyed That In view OF the ili-heath OF the
Rev DR.. Paxton. pastor ana IN accordance
with, his earnest desire, this congregation accepts
his resigna ton and that l.. G. Murray, '" Patton
and NJ. Lang be appointed committee to lay
the matter before the presbytery al us next meet
Ing on December H. .,,.
Robert Jaffray said that the session had fully
considered the matter. and II had been aecideu a
that his resignation ought TO BE- accepted He also
said that the financial condition OF the church and
the fear OF dsiniegation OF the m ia On
once for II a years leave OF absence were given
no ea M tine that il would be impossible to bring it
back again to a firm basis. -,. $500,
prominent worker in the Sunday-school said that
the congregation ought not to accept me resisns7
ton and that years leave Of aSse on DR. s Pax
tons life and good work in the church ana IN inns
city n Ohr e OF rs ana Re
sentiment seemed about even on both sides; , DR.
the pastor was so broken down that 1t was i'm
practicable for him to continue his work. .,o,a,
that the RESIGNATION should not be accepted =,
committee. composed OF b. =. Fairchid, e H.
Brown and DR.. Finch was appointed 10 confer
with Dr. Paxton and report at meeting TO be
held In two weeks.
After the meeting Russell Sage. who is MEM
Der of the Board of Trustees. informed a Tribune
reporter that 1t was not on account OF any per
sonal annosity to DR.. Paxton that the session
and trustees had recommended the acceptance OF
the resignation
Or. Paxton was in town last week. and after
conference with members OF the session he went
away and his resignation followed Immediately.
II Is well known that his health has been poor
fr time. and that be submitted TO an opera
ION last spring in the Presbyterian Hospital. He
has been pastor Of the West Presbyterian Church
since 1882. At present he Is in Western Pennsyl-
yania.