Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-11-09

The Paterson, N. j., papers are max
ing somewhat of q sensation over the
departure of the Rev. DR.. Spencer b.
Meeser from the leading Baptist church
OF that place and his accepting the call
10 the pastorate of the Second Baptist
Church of this city. A copy of the
Paterson Post, which came to hand last
Friday, introduces the topic as follows;
Had bombshell exploded in the First
Baptist Church, yesterday, the officers and
members could not have been more sur
prised than they were when their pastor,
the Rev. s. B. Meeser, after the sermon,
informally announced his resignation,
which is to take effect as soon as the oftt-
GERS and the pastor can set a date.
Three times before the pastor had re-
ceived calls from outside churches, viz:
Waitham, Mass; North Adams, Mass,
and church in a neighboring city, but
each time the calls were refused.
GENERAL REGRET.
Never before in the history of the Bap-
fist Church in Paterson has the resigna-
ton of any pastor caused SO much general
regret as that of the Rev. S. B. Meeser.
| The First Baptist Church was Mr..
| Meeser's first call after graduating from
| the Grocer Baptist Seminary at West
| Chester, Pa. He has won the hearts of
| every man, woman and child of his flock,i
/ and if test vote of the congregation were
made there would not be found one who
| would not vote for his continuance in
| office as pastor.
Since coming to them few years ago
| Mr. Meeser has worked like a Trojan in
| the church's behalf, and the excellent
/ position it occupies to-day shows how well
| his efforts have succeeded.
Several of those who are intimate with
1 the workings of the church say that one
fs.W4 h
| resignation was that the pastor was disap-
| pointed in pet scheme. His idea was to
| erect upon lot near the church an addi-
ton, to be used for outside work, such as
reading-rooms, gymnasium. &c. The MEM
bers of the church have just paid off a debt
of $4,000 and, owing to the financial de"
preston, did not feel able U embark upon
such costly enterprise.
j. ]. Brown, president of the board of
trustees of the church, when seen by a
flying Post reporter, at his office in the
First National Bank. yesterday, said; Il
was greatly depressed to hear the announce
ment on Sunday morning. had not. the
slightest idea of such thing happening.
1t would have been better, think, had
Mr.. Meeser spoken to some of the trustees
| about the matter before making it public.
There is no absolute reason why he should
wish to make change. but suppose he
knows his own business best. There will
| DC IneeIluB Oh tne tTusteeS uu lucoudy
evening, but really cannot state whether
the resignation will be discussed"
, Deacon G. II. Demarest, former trus-
tee, said II am exceedingly sorry to hear
about our PASTORS resignation. 1t is,
suppose. hisduty, and we have only to ex-
tend our regrets and acquiesce."
s. Alderman, another deacon, in con-
versation with a reporter, said; II had
no idea of such thing happening and
was greatly surprised when DR.. Meesel
Z. made the announcement. He may have
his reasons and all we can do is to accept
, his resignation"
! Nothing is definitely known here, bu
D there is general belief that DIR. Meeser
e who is man of marked energy il
T whatever he undertakes, has felt very
much the absence of any worthy re
/, Spouse to his project of congregations
, work which is referred to.
Z DIR. Meeser breaches his first sermon
r in Wilmington the beginning OF mex
month. Here he will be among his OLE
I friends. His alma mater, Croze
3 Seminary at Chester, for which and it
!, faculty he has the greatest affection, il
= close at hand. During his seminar,
3 course he preached in this city on sew
8 eral occasions.