The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-13
STARVED OUT THE Dominic.
THE eRBENTILLE war or GETTING
RID OF a PASTOR.


Ths Linden Avsnus Methodist Churoh Le.
Mr. McCowau's Fsniiy suEsr for the
Necessities OF Lite Owes Hln saOo.
The Rev. w. 8. MCGOWAN, pastor OF the Linz
den Avenue NJ. T.. Church in the Grsenville
part OF jersey City. has been transferred by
the Newark Conference to St paurs Church
In Tottenville. Station Island. and he will 10
there very chesrfully next week, provided he
can raise sufficient money to pay the expense
OF moving. There have been Discussions in
the Linden Avenue Church for some time. and
threat was made some months ago that the
pastor would be starved out The threat has
boon carried out literally. so much so that the
pastor and his wife have been On the verge OF
starvation and forced to receive assistance
from the neighbors.
Mr.. MCGOWAN has been pastor Of the church
for two years. He had trouble almost from
the beginning. Just as every pastor Of the
church has had since it's organization. The
trustees have had habit Of managing the at
fairs OF the church without regard TO the pas
tors views. and II the pastor had the tenn Ter ty
to assert himself they starved him out.
The latest trouble in the church began sew
eral months ago. The Ladies' Aid Society
gave an entertainment. utinstead OF handing
the proceeds over to the trustees. as they had
been In the habit Of doing. they decided to ex-
poses. The trustees insisted that the money
must be given to them to pay interest on the
church debt The ladies were frm. however.
and refused to surrender. The result was tn at
the trustees created rival organization to
supersede the aid society in the managem emit
OF church entertainments
There was a bitter rivalry for time but the
trouble was finally patched up and tho now
organization disbanded. Il was at that time
that the plan OF starving out the pastor was
decided upon. MIR. McCowans salary was
withheld. Small installments we're paid to
him at intervals. but his salary is now In ar
rears about $500.
Members Of the church say that Nr. Me-
Cowan's family have actually suffered for the
necessaries of life. Four weeks ago the Green
vile Reformed Church gave an entertain m ont
Tor the benefit OF the poor OF Greenville. 1t
was whispered to members Of tho committee
that Pastor McCowan's family were in need
Mrs. Hudspeth Benson, mother OF judge
Hudspeth. who had charge Of the entertain
m ne called on the pastors wife to ascertain
Mrs. Mccowan, reluctantly admitted that she
was was W neeu MRS benson reported to the
sent to Pastor McCowan's house. Other assist
Hnce has been given to the family. Architect
sonage. sent food over there frequently.
The trustees made no effort to pay the pas
week ago sunday Mr. %Geow to my informed
the congregation that he would be unable to
attend tho session Of the Newark Conference
unless he received some money A special
collection was taken up to pay his expenses.
MIR: McCowan said Yesterday that he did not
II will. not say anything" he said. until
the trustees have had ample opportunity to
square accounts. | do not leave here un-
I'll thursday OF next week. and By that tim
matters may be straightened out. Ihave de-
voted all my spare time during the past year
70 raising money to pay the interest on the
own salary. That was left entirely to tho
they have done about it,
Mrs. MCGOWAN was also reluctant to talk for
the reason that she had been accused before Of
GIVING information to reporters.
salary has not been paid in full but the trus.
tees are considering the matter and / have
hopes that they will raise the amount stili din
him The church has found It hard work late
~ 70 raise money. and that. I suppose,
been raid have done all could to help the
the organ at every service and as I did il
without mpensation the church has aayed
two or three hundred dollars which It would
nave haa 10 pay y regular organist had been
engaged: But | do not care to he mixed up In
th,s matter. as may be blamed FOR som ething
trouble among the ladies' societies Of the
church was charged with giving inform alton
To reporters. At that time one OF two me an be "a
declared that they would starve us out. II
me trustees do not pay the amount duo us
l will be forced to do this. as will lie com.
unpaid bills behind me-" -