Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-12

JlSfAICH-IUE SDA
In Boston and came to New York to
make this experiment. Its success was i'm
mediate and substantial. The congrega-
tons were multiplied by six. The income
ree from $500 to sI4.5GD annually.
but the new methods were net I'm
medlately by storm OF criticism and
abuse from conservative church people
outside. The timid among our officers
wished then to retreat. simply said
would die. but not surrender. That was
four years ago.
- part Of the general plan was the
erection OF business building. with a
large auditorium for our work on Sunday,
and the headquarters OF the Baptist So
cIety, in New York. This project, involv-
ing an expenditure Of sl,e0O0lo. was on
the point Of success two years ago, when
the panic destroyed its possibility. Upon
this abandonment of the building project
some Of the older members desired to re-
taru to the church building This return
I refused TO consider. Hence the differ
ences Of opinion between an intelligent
minority Of the church and myself
COULD HAVE CRUSHED THE Nj
NORITY.
AT any time up 10 the day deter.
mined 10 hand In my resignation a year
ago, could easily have eliminated that
minority. but 1t did not seem TO me
fair, simply because while the minoritv
was small f. did represent those older
members whose prayers and sacrifice had
built their church building. I claim thu
right 10 my own opinions. but IL is the
rule Of my life TO give the utmost re.
spect and latitude TO all those who dis
agree with me.
The deficit produced by the manic I
have raised and paid. The finances are
now In a hourishing condition. and the
way Is open for my retirement The mat
ter has been fully discussed between
the Board OF Trustees and myself. and
we have agreed 10 dissolve In good feel
ing our relationship.
Those who desire 10 continue the hall
work will remain. those who desire their
pews in the church building will return.
The new society that has been organized
will continue the hall work until secu-
lar building with an auditorium can be
secured TO suit It's needs. We will trv
10 secure the largest hall In New York
for our work
1.-THE new pulpit Is only five years In
New York. and only n century old in
America The difficulty in the world to-
day Is that men who have stood on the
platform have been so little i'm earnest
and have espoused the cause OF selfish
ness.
art IL divine. II wish 10 60 10 tho
best theatre in New York, as I have
always done. 30 | believe that scc'etv
and Christianity must be made one. must
be born again in Jesus Christ. II the
Christian community Is not 10 be defeated
I'm the twentieth century"
Alfred -. Cllnch. clerk Of the prarl
81 Trustees Of the Twcnty-thlrd-Street
Baptist church, last night gave out a
statement. but positively declined to give
the data Of the boards action. The state
ment IS. in part. as follows:
ACTION OF THE TRUSTEES.
The trustees Of the Twenty-Third-Strect
Baptist church have voted to exercise tho
option given by their lelse and surrender
Association Hall on May /. 1895.
The pastor concured with the board
that this was the only action that coulf
be consistently taken under its views 90
tho situation and circumstances.
Association Hall was leased by -
church IN the hope that the work Of a..
church along all lines OF denomlnatio-a
activity would be so enlarged that e.
successful appeal could be made TO tho
denomination for a large building. j.
was. in fact. an effort toward denomina-
tional headquarters. The church was.
however. disappointed I'm the results.
While large congregations were secured.
they were not principally composed Of
regular attendants but Of transient visit
ore. would would not by their con-
tributions meet the increased expenses
caused by the occupancy of Association
Hail. and lately these contributions have
been reduced 10 such an extent as 10
lead TO gradual increase Of the indebt-
edness Of the church. without any pros
pect for a change for the better.
HINTS OF DISCORD.
While this discussion Il based princi-
paly upon financial grounds. yet the
board is free 10 say that the pastor has
removed his residence 10 Virginia, and
the board has been repeatedly informed
10y him that he could not. and would not.
attempt pastoral work; that he was no
longer i'm accord with the church. to
which he was called as pastor. or to any
regular church; that ne had for two years
been meditating a change OF denOmlna-
ton. and had finally determined upon
establishing an un1enominational church
upon the field now occupied by the Twer-
ty-Thrd-Street Baptist church.
a presentation OF the pastors resigua-
ton to-day was a surprise 10 the Board
of Trustees. as well as TO the members
of the church. because Mr.. Dixon had
agreed with the board that he would not
present his resignation 10 the church be-
fore he submitted it 10 the board and had
consulted with it in reference to IL.
Mr.. Dixon announced that he would
reply to IAN Old-Fashioned Clergyman"
next Sunday morning in Association Hall
OPINIONS OF TRUSTEES.
There will be a meeting Of the congre-
CATION one day this week TO consider the
pastors resignation. and act upon it.
The date Of this meeting Is to be an
nounced
pr John WoOdman. one OF the trustees
said last night that there weren't FIVE
members Of the congregation worth $1,000
apiece, and that, therefore. IL was inn
possible To carry out Mr.. DixOn's scheme
He said he could not understand the pas
tor's statement that the church was pros
porous 4 year ago last May II became
necessary TO reduce salaries all around.
Mr.. Dixon's salary was cut $l.c0. ard
the organist. the leader 81 the choir and
the sexton were reduced in proportion.
In the winter Mr.. DixOns salary was re-
stored. Mr.. l.. II. Sherwin. the assistant
pastor. resigned year ago and his loss
was deeply felt "a Mr.. Dixon had never
discharged the duties Of a pastor. The
members had gradually drifted away
since his resignation.
Trustee Andrew j. Robinson said that
the church and Mr. Dixon had been DRIFT
ing apart for year or more. The fact
was. ne said. the members couldn't in
dorse Mr.. Dixon's extreme sentiments
He declared that none Of the old mem
hers was likely 10 go with Dixon. The
latter, he declared. had changed very
much since he first became pastor.
Neither he nor his family now attended
the services at Association Hail He was
disposed to think that Mr.. Dixon's numer-
Gus lecture engagements gave him nc
time to attend to the church.
No Chnngc nj Dover.
DOVER. DEL. March ll-Another
week has passed without any change
In the senatorial cnniest. eXcent what was