New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-25
There is nothing so pure as
WORCESTER SALT.
TO TNVESTTG4 THE FINANCES.
THE TROUBLE IN TIE BROOKLYN TABERNACLE
A SCHEME TO RETAIN DR.. TALMAGE.

THE TROUBLE: IN TIE BROOKLYN TABERNACLE
A SCHEME TO RETAIN DR. TALMAGE.
TIL. laundering OF the Brooklyn Tabernacle
which has always puzzled persons who have given
any attention the affairs OF the church, IL hkey
70 be investigated thoroughly in connection Win Dr.
Talmage's resignation. In all the statements MADE
nublc when the old Tabernacle was burned ana
the new one was built there has never been clear
and concise statement of the receipts and expendi-
ures and OF the assets and liabilities OF the So
ciety DR. Taimage says that he knew nothing OK
the finances and LEFT them all 10 the treasurer
Mr. Wood Mr.. Wood retired last year about tho
time that he failed in business. His successor mas
not had a fu,l accounting from him. This state.
ment given out yesterday on the authority oh
a prominent member:
1--WE owe to-day about 100000. Taking into &C.
count the price of the land. the contract prico
OF the building. the amounts received and the
amounts paid out ought not to owe more than
10000 Wood the absolute boss OF the place
because Of the confidence which DR.. Talmage re-
posed in him. The Doctor and Wood closed the
bargain for the presen; site before the trustees
knew what they had done. The board felt obliged
% approve, though most Of the members wanted
to stay in schermerhorn-s.. Wood wouldn't let any
one else count the church collections, but since
Birkett has been treasurer the trustees have
always counted them. Wood secured the election
OF Charles NJ Stafford as one OF the trustees STAFF
ford served a year and tried to get reelected,
but was badly beaten. Wood employed him as
counsel ana St1norNS DIS were pau IN
bonds. We can't raise the 100000. ard We shall
not try. The members OF the Tabernacle have been
drained dry for years. Russell Sage won't stir. be.
cause his mortgage comes In first. but wills Will
foreclose his lien, and the place will be sold for
tire creditors"
Dr. Taimage said: This is all financial trouble
and I don't know. anything about finance. I'm
about the poorest fnancer in Brooklyn l never
Kept any books against the Tabernacle. When
there was any money left for my salary 1 took IT,
and when there wasn't I let Il go. But / never
heard any imputatlon cast upon Mr.. Woods
honesty in all the meetings l have had with
these gentlemen about the church finances such a
suggestion has never been made. and have every
confidence IN him.
Mr.. Wood said he would ask the Board of Ell
ders OF Session to inyestigate the whole matter
tomorrow night, and he would be indicated. He
could demonstrate from his books how matters
stood. This board Is composed of DIR. Harrison A.
Tucker Edward ii. Branch. +. VI. Lawrence James
IL. Furguson. Joseph Bradley. Albert Wadhams
ii. l.. Rediield. N. l.. Miner and C.. S. Durng.
Mr.. Wood says that the receipts of the church
from both pew rents and collections have shrunk
about 40 per cent since he ceased to be treasurer
The running expenses of the Tabernacle about
$4,000 year II Is not believed that the money
there Is proposition 10 have the creditors buy
in the property and hire DR.. Talnage to preach,
charging admission fees. That DIR. Talmage will
lend himself to this scheme Is regarded as doubtful