The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-02-05
mo CONTRADICTION.
Story of Trouble in First
UniVerSa1ist Church
Correct.
PASTOR WEsTALL SAYS so
Members of the Congregation In
censed at the Exposure
The Resignation.

The particulars published in Saturdays
NEWS of the resignation of Pastor Westau
from the First Universalist Church, and an
interview with that gentleman, in which he
set forth his reasons for resigning, has
caused a great deal of comment
both among the members of his con-
gregation and among the society
people of the Heights. 1t happens that while
the congregation is small one it is very
proud one, that is some of the members of it
are. These people were very indignant when
they saw their church's skeleton hauled out
of its closet and paraded in the newspapers.
THE PASTOR TAKEN TO TASK.
Before the service yesterday morning sew
eral of the church members surrounded
Pastor Westal and told him of all the
things THE NEWS had said about him and
the church. He listened to them all and
skillfully parried all the attacks. From the
pulpit he made a statement to his congre-
cation. He said that he had had an inter-
view with NEWS reporter and had an
swered some of his questions, but had not
made all the statements credited to him. He
said that he would make denial of several
things which he was quoted as saying.
What he said from the pulpit reached the
ears of THE NEWS reporter, who, on Satur-
day, interviewed Mr.. Westall
The reporter called upon Mr.. Westan yes
terday. He rang the doorbell, expecting to
his surprise then when Mr.. Westan greeted
him with:
''Why, good morning. Come right in. !
am delighted to see you"
NOTHING TO CONTRADICT.
81 understand, Mr.. Westall," said the re-
porter, that you have some contradictions
to make"
s'Not one," said the Dominic, while sur
prised look overspread his features.
The reporter then asked for an explana-
tion of the statements he had made from the
pulpit and which placed the interviewer in q
false light.
He explained himself as follews:-ssI went
to church yesterday morning and before the
service several of the congregation got hold
of me and told me a lot of dread
full stories about what THE NEWS
had said and wanted to know
if had made such statements. l told them
if those statements had been really made l
should contradict them. 1 had not read the
article in THE News and when l did read it
I said to my wife, shall make no CONTRA
diction."
UNITERIAN AND UNIvERsALIsT.
'The statements which credited to you
then are all right are they"
Eyes, cannot find fault with any of them,
| made them all and will stand by them.
There was one statement, however, that ap-
peared in your article which. while prac-
tically right leaves a wrong impress
sion, and was in a great measure
what aroused my congregation. 1 refer to
the statements that 1 am going to change
my belief and become Unitarian. Now
the UNIVERSAL and the Unitarian churches
are very much alike, and am in full fellow
ship with both denominations, SO Imake no
change, simply take a Unitarian charge" !"
To prove that he was in full fellowship
with the Unitarian Church he showed the
reporter the Unitarian year book for 1894,
| in which his name is registered. He said
that he was not the only one who has COM
planned of the poor attendance at the serv-
ices, but that his Medessor had made
similar complaints, and even went SO far as
to say that for two whole years he could get
no evening congregation at all.