Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-02-18
SUNDAY SURPRISE.
Central Church Board and Pas.
tor at Outs.
TIE CONGREGATION Is AsToUNDED

TIE CONGREGATION Is AsT0UNDED.
At the Morning Service Rev. john n. Kerr
Reads . Cenmunicasion Mailed Him
Doring the Week Req1essing His lnme-
date Severance - Pastor-He says IL
Was Cruel-IndiGnant Parishoners.
Rev. John H. Kerr, pastor of the
Presbyterian church, read to
his congregation yesterday morning
a communication, the contents of
which were received like the explO-
sion of bomb to the larger portion
Of the members, whose surprise was
likewise shared by the minister. who
stated that the document revealed to
him the first intimation of any exist
ing dissatisfaction between pastor
and peoples stunning and cruel
blow to him. Instead of delivering
his usual sermon, Rev. Kerr read
the letter, which requested his i'm
mediate resignation. the cause
given being that the revenues of the
church were gradually decreasing
and would fall short by a large
amount from meeting the obligations
of the fiscal year, which was attrib-
utable to the diminishing of MEM
bership and what seemed to be, lack
of interest on the part of the cong e.
CATION in the church's welfare. The
withdrawal of Rev. Kerr, the trus-
tees, who were the authors of the
communication, believed would be
for the betterment of the existing
conditions. and beneficial TO church
and congregation. The request was
the result of recent conference
of the officers of the church
who signed it as follows: j. NJ.
Buford, trustee and elder; Adair
Peasants, trustee: H. A. McDon-
aid, trustee; j. H. Cleland. elder; o.
Leonard, elder; j. II. Liedtke. elder.
and trustee; P. Brandenburg, treas
urer; John Volk, trustee; Z. G. Fra
ger, trustee; F. G. Young, trustee;
b. H. Kimball, trustee. The letter
was mailed Rev. Kerr last Tuesday.
Stunning Blow.
''This is the most stunning blow
l ever received in my life," said the
pastor, when he had finished reading
the letter. 1t was apparently no less
a surprise to the congres alton, which
was entirely ignorant of such a de-
cided course on the part of the
officers until the pastor made
known the facts. This is the first
of disapproval," contin-
ued Rev. Kerr, (which has come to
me in the five years, lacking six
weeks, have worked and labored
and prayed among you as pastor. l
have striven to be honest and honor
able in my duties as pastor and citi-
zen in this CITY,. But this is the last
time will occupy this pulpit. After
receiving this letter l could not
continue as pastor here, another
day. l thought among the signers
Of this communication had at least
one friend who would have given me
an intimation of the existing feeling
toward my removal. The only one
thing wish is that it might have been
brought about in another way. /
have been sorely wounded by this
cruel, cruel blow. l hope that my
departure from among you will not
unduly influence you in your relation
to the church. May the Lord bless
you one and all in your work and
service to Him. Will you now please
rise while pray with you once again
and then will disperse you for the
last time with the apostolic benedic-
tion." His remarks touched the
hearts of many. who were moved to
tears.
Hon. w. II. Costs Remarks.
When Rev. Kerr left the pulpit,
Hon. w. H. Gest arose from his seat,
and exclaimed to the congregation,
which had started to leave the
church: Il am outraged; my feel
ings are inexpressible. To remove
a man who has labored as he has
without a word of warning is an out
rage. As member of this church l
these gentlemen in the
legality of their course. l have paid
into this church 500 a year, but l
will never pay a cent into a church
where such outrageous proceedings
are countenanced. 1t is true we
have a deficit, and it will continue
to grow larger. 1 may be alone in
my stand. but I am indignant and
have just right to be-" Mr.. Gest
was given assurance by others of the
members that his feelings were
shared by them.
Rev. Kerr Seen.
An ARGUS reporter saw Rev. Kerr
last evening. He said that he had
nothing to say. other than what he
had told his congregation in the
and that the desire of the
church officers would be granted
forthwith. As it is beyond the au-
thority of the church trustees to re-
move a pastor, Rev. Kerr stated he
had called q meeting for next Friday
of the Rock River presby-
terry, which established the pastoral
relations and which alone can sever