The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-31
congregational Council Votes
to Dissolve.
interesting Meeting in Highland
Chapel Yesterday Afternoon.
Further Delay in the Onlcial Recog-
milton Of a New Church.

gathering at Highland Chapel OF the Con
| gregational clergymen, and other church
| officers. TO whom was referred tho matter OF
| recognizing tho congregation worshiping
there as distinct body. and OF carrying out
thc formalities necessary before the church
could enter the conference.
1 The meeting of the council was an ad-
| iourned one. the prior meeting being held
about two years and seven months ago. The
subject matter which the council was called
1 to consider is one OF great interest to the
people that worship at the chapel and though
the question was not owing TO difficulties
which unexpectedly arose. settled yesterday.
it is probable that within a very short time
tho matter will be settled in a satisfactory
way
The meeting was opened In due form, with
| Rev DIR Horton as moderator. After few
moments had elapsed. Rev Mr Decker Of the
North Congregational Church asked Or Hor-
ton II il was not fact that he had ceased to
| be member of the conference. and II nc had
not better give way to Rev Mr. .Nutting, the
| present pastor Of the Central Congregational
| Church This question was really the starter
for the long discussion which followed, and it
indirectly caused the meeting to end without
action on the matter for which it was con-
| voked, though before the council dissolved
| the reverend questioner said he did not wish
the business delayed.
DIR Horton said in reply that il seemed to
him as il the membership Of the council had
| been so materially changed that he doubted IL
| IL would be best To go on with the business
| As for himself. he said, he was ia delicate
position He could not give mp his moderator
ship without reason, but il the council voted
| to 60 on with the business he would feel
Obliged to give up the chair TO some one else.
After several changes Of clergymen in the
different churches represented in the council
| had been noted. and also the absence of GER.
tain members. the roll of delegates was called.
and quorum found to be present.
Rev DR. Moore then offered resolution TO
| the effect that in view of the lapse OF time
and Of the many changes in the makeup OF
| the council certain difficulties had arisen rs
! TO whether or not tho council could further
consider the matter therefore it was in the
| opinion of the members of the coun-
Gil present best to dissolve. and have
another council called by the COM
| mittee Of the new church This motion
was seconded. Rev Mr. Woodwork of the
congregation worshiping in the chapel spoke
earnestly against delay. saying that great
| harm was done to the cause Of Congregation
alism in the nsighborbood by tho delay thus
far. and also that the people who worshiped
in the church the council were in thought
they should be recognized, but that the work
| there for Christ would be continued, no mat
| ter how the matter was decided
number OF others present spoke. includ.
ing Rev Mr. McGresor and Rev Mr. Lyon. The
latter said there was. to his mind, no
doubt that the council. as at
40 Ia.
fore it, and that IL was its duty to dispose Of
the same. He further stated that the churches
were the same as when the council last met,
and this was the important thing. The
speaker, in reply to question. said he did
not think DIR Horton had a right to preside
over the meeting
After a few more remarks on the resolution
| DIR Horton asked to be ieved from further
service as moderator, and his request was
granted.
II was expected the retirement CT the rever-
end doctor would sort of settle the difficulty
| that had arisen but II did not, for much diff
Guilty was experienced in getting new chair.
man. In the first place. DR. Horton, as soon
rs he got on the floor again, forgot he was no
| longer a member of the council. and nomin-
| ated Rev Mr. Nutting of the Central Congre.
gational church for moderator. but that gen
tleman appeared to demur TO accepting the
position. Rev Mr. McGregor, in pleasant
| way, reminded DIR Horton that he was not a
member Of the council. and then put Mr. Nut
ting in nomination in a regular manner
Rev Mr. Nutting again declined the position.
and after some one had suggested that the
position belonged to the Central Church, and
| that this was the reason DIR Horton had been
chosen moderator, the reverend gentleman
spoke out his mind. The remarks of Rev Mr.
| Lyon had apparently changed the sentiment
of the meeting, so Rev Mr. Nutting said
that. in his opinion. il was not consistent
with Congregationalism to have the council,
which was appointed two years and seven
months ago, settle any matter, and he would
only take the chair II tee pledge was given
that n motion to adjourn would be at once
| made.
No one was willing 10 give the required
| pledge. and Rev Mr. McGregor was asked to
| take the position AS moderator. but he pre-
ferred the freedom Of the floor. SO did Rev
DIR Moore. and good deal of urging was re.
quired to get Rev Mr. Lyon to preside over
the meeting. which he finally did.
Rev Mr. Nutting then moved to adjourn
sine die The motion was seconded, but was
lost on being put 10 a vote.
Rev Mr. Woodworth then made an urgent
appeal TO the council TO take action at once in
regard to his church, saying that on account
OF the delay thus far he had seen many who
should be members of the church lost 10 It,
There was brief pause in the proceedings,
and Rev Mr. Nuttina had a conference with
Rev Mr. McGregor. and the latter said he
would. in the interest OF harmony, and for
the purpose OF enabling the new church &C
| start on safer foundation, favor the coun.
ellis dissolution at this time. Rev Mr. Wood
| worth said ne would withdraw his objections
| TO such action, hut would have n council called
for next Saturday afternoon. Objection was
made 20 the calling OF the councii together at
such an early date, and the pastor OF the
church agreed TO call it at some other time
The motion of DIR Moore was then passed