New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-19
TROUBLE ~ 4 REFORMED CHURCH.
THE PASTOR DENIES RUMORs THAT HE WAS
NEVER oRDAINED-A Lively MEETING IN
WHICH HI THREATENS 70 BRING
IA

THE PASTOR DENIES RtNORS THAT HE WAS
NEVER oRDAINED-A Lively MEETING IN
WHICH HI THREATENS 70 BRING
SUIT FOR DAMAGES.
There is some discomfort in the old Bush
wick Reformed Church. Brooklyn respecting
the pastoratc Of ) Miller Hageman. He be-
came pastor of the church in the early part
Of the present year. At the time he told his
concrcgat.on that If he received the proper
support he would soon fill the cnurch at each
service. \ chorus choir was at once organ
led and while the novelty lasted. the young people
Of the choir showed considerable enthusiasm But
their interest has waned of late and the chorus Is
no longer so large A platform had been built for
the accommodation Of the chorus, extending the
whole width OF the church and on a level with the
pulpit Above this. IA small gallery was erected
Two weeks ago this gallery threatened to collapse
owing II is alleged. to the faulty constructions MI
Uageman was anxious that repairs should be made
but nothing was DONE and on Sunday evening last
he publicly took the consistory task and appealed
70 The congregation to say whether or not the re-
vote. ana two-thrds Of those present arost. 4,
The growing discomfort among the members , ~
the church said TO be due 10 the tact thdt curing
Mr. Hag"mau's pastOratc no communion scINICe
has been held In the church. rms crSu'l's y, me-,
has given rise TO a rumor that Mr.. Hagemah IS not
a regularly ordained minister. and therefore mas no
real authority to oiiciate in the administration oil
~ a meeting Of the choir last night, held in
the suniay-sciIooI room, Mr.. Hageman told James
Mckee president Of the Music Comm!ttee, and
m. rIber of the consstory. that unless the con
sis,orv did something have the platform
straightcneI by Sunday. action WOMB De TAKEN
L, compel it. Mr.. McI<e" replied that ne Wouiu
bring the matter before the cOnsistory to-day.
on must do so tonight shouted the pastor
we must know at once: II you nave no E Int
way OF communicating the answer to US, ieaVe
the word yes or no on the doorstep oil your
house where / can hnl IT," ,,
Mr. Mckee then left tho church TO confer with
m. members OF the cOnsistOry. Mr. ftaSefilah
then Informed the choir that h would nave MS
lawyer begin suit for damages against the prcs-
dent OF the consstory. John Weaver, Tor daring
10 say that ne not minister OF me Nospei
and Tor attempting to deprive him OF his rights
10 administer the sacrament 49,, -,
81 viii say further" cried the pastor that me
amount claimed viii not Toe small one II Will
be- for less than $1,000 49,,
\ committee has been appointed by the Nortn
Chassis at Flushing TO investigate the trouble, anu
~. committee Will meet next week. PRESIDENT
Weaver said last night that Mr.. HaStman was CO.
lng his utmost TO drive him from the church;
AIR Hagcman lives al No. l-p BclIord ave
when seen Yesterday he said that he was ordained
ami Installed as pastor of the FIRST Congregational
church of Paterson twenty-five years ago.
There is a sharp and determined struggle In tne
church between band OF conslliator, on on"
h,nI welded IN each others interest. and p large
m. nrt ,f the members OF tn "onSre gation con-
ftiLti,iug members and also members OF the great
r.,sfsf.rv or IN. other" added the pastor. The
consstory Itself split. and the srcat question IS
whether the ID BushWick shall he sawed or SoIl'
WEv the plates nave been taken from the altar;
rushed out into the lobby and the collection counted
during the sermon. thus producing hhahc!aI
scandal and causing contributors To decline 10 con-
tribute. many of ln,m going out with their en-
ycl1pcs IN tn -ir hands.