The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-07-20
REV. BAILEY EX0NERATED,
HE MAKES 4 LENGTHY ABATEMENT
 TO TIE yEsTRfMEN.

They Met Last Night and Expressed Them
 selves as Being Satisfied With Their Rec-
 tors Explanation - Henceforth Thore
 Win be Harmony.
 An important meeting of the vestry- men of the Church of the Ascension was held In the vestry of the church Inst night, and the misunderstanding which lately arose between the rector, Frederic W. Bailey, and the parishioners, was fully settled. After the meeting the vestrymen were seen and unanimously stated that henceforth everything would progress harmoniously between the rector and his parishioners, and that every confidence would be reposed in him as heretofore. The following com munication from MT. Bailey was read at the meeting:
 New Haven. Conn.,, July IT. 1894. To the Members and Friends of the
 Church of the Ascension:
 In view of the various reports re- garding myself and the church publish ed in the several dailies of the city, 1t seems but proper that you should have from me full statement of the facts in the case and such other information as may aid you to a just and fair con cluslon. I have preferred not to reply to these several varying statements, knowing how little is gained by such contentious, yet I am desirous that those most deeply interested in our well fare should know that the rector has something to say, if only in his own defense.
 In the first place let me state that at the annual Easter parish meeting held March 26 last, so satisfactory was the report of the treasurer, who, after pay ing all outstanding obligations had a small surplus, and so harmonious was the gathering. that an increase of salary was voted me. It is reasonable to be- lieve. therefgse, that up to this time there was no trouble and my endeavors for the welfare of the parish justly sanctioned.
 In the second place 1t may be said that at the time of the special parish meeting of June the rector's relations with the parish were amicable to that degree as to lead the parish by formal vote to place in his hands all the busi- ness affairs of the parish and to give him the entire responsibility of straight ening out its financial difficulties.
 And, furthermore, be 1t said that at this very meeting in the letter of resig. nation presented by the clerk of the parish occur these words: Prom the first and last in part I am fully con- vinced that am a stumbling block in the way of the rector and his way of doing business, and have decided to re- move all such obstruction in his effect i've good work" Consequently it is but proper to say that the confidence of the parish in its rectcr's endeavors was very clearly shown and candidly stated in this it's regular proceeding.
 Now, while herein is a sufficiently lengthy statement of the case for all who are actively engaged in the work 1t does not cover the ground which the several papers have touched upon nor fully explain the situation to the outside but interested public. Consequently let me indulge in a little detail. The Rev. George Herbert in his book, Priest to the Temple" writes: "The country par son hath special care of his church, that all things there be decent and be- fitting His name by which 1t is called. Therefore, first he takes order that all things be in good repair; as walls plas- tered, windows glazed, floor paved, seats whole, firm and uniform, especially that the pulpit and desk and communion ta- ble and font be as they ought for those great duties that are performed in them"
 A clergyman who loves his church cannot but be jealous for all sacred ap- pointments and restless indeed if proper care is not taken of all its properties.
 When 1t became my lot to associate with this parish the church was found in no very satisfactory condition. The word neglect" could be seen every where, and to this day as behold the round window over the chapel door un- protected and now pierced by several stray stones, the roof tin twisted and vines running wild, fence patched and unpainted, with all that had already been done to preserve and protect, see still wrok awaiting only additional funds to finish.
 Fortunately for me and the parish well fare, there came last fall knocking at my door poor Englishman, who, with the many needy ones all around us at that time, appealed for aid. was not willing to give the little to be spared without some return, and seeing my opportunity he was set at work in the church basement and kept at work there even at times when my own purse was drawn upon, till an improvement and greater security from fire was ob- tained.
 You may never have been in the base ment, but those who have dared know it's forlorn condition at the time. The cellar was without flooring save for one meagre board extending down through the center between high banks of sand on either side. It was mainly for the convenience of the sexton In reaching his furnaces. In the cellar were gathered the relics of bygone days old red cushions and hassocks, carpet and mating of long standing, antidue pews too long for convenient use, prayer desks, ash heaps. old paper and books accumulated through the years the usual quantity of wood and lumber, and worst of all@was a great quantity of old Christmas trees and greens, dry as finder, piled deep and high against a wooden partition and near to the rear and most decrepit furnace.
 The boys robing room was also a store room. On it's floor lay an old and ragged square carpet. SO dirty