The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-11
CHURCH MEMBERS DISAGREE.
DIFFERENCES AMONG INDEPEND-
ENT PREsBYTERIANS.

The Elders OF the Church Criticised
for Having Written the Letter
Which Resulted I'm Rev. DIR. DripP's
Resignation at a Time when Many
of the Congregation and the Pas
tor Himself Were Absent-A Con-
gregatiOnaI Meeting May he Called
to Consider the Matter.
Some of the elders Of the Independent
Presbyterian church have of late found
themselves in a rather uncomfortable
position, as they have been subjected to
criticism by some of the members of the
congregation with regard to the course
they pursued toward Rev. DR.. ]. E.
Dripps, who resigned his pastorate some
thing over two months ago.
The cause of the criticism is that the
letter to DR.. Dripps, which caused his
resignation. was written at time when
many of the members of the congregation
were absent from the city, and when DIR.
Dripps himself was away on his vaca-
ton. Members of the congregation have
expressed the opinion that the action of
the elders was hasty, and that they might
have waited until time when Dr. Dripps
was here, and more of the members of
the congregation were in the city. Sew
eral members have stated that if such
action had been taken at a regularly
called meeting of the congregation, and
had been the action of the majority, they
would have acquiesced without word;
but they do not think, they state, that the
elders should rule the whole church,
which is in its nature Independent, and
every important action is subject to the
approval of the congregation
On account of this criticism some have
said that the elders should call meet
ing of the church and submit to it the
entire correspondence with regard to the
matter. so that they might vindicate
themselves and avoid future criticism.
The elders, however, have not seen Mt to
call this meeting, but have stated to
members of the congregation who have
spoken to them on the matter, that the
entire correspondence is at the residence
OF Mr.. l.. t. Turner, one of the elders,
and that anyone Interested, who desires
to do so, can go there and read ii. The
members who have interested themselves
in the matter, however, say they do not
want to go to Mr. Turner's house for the
purpose of reading the correspondence
but think that the elders should call a
meeting of the congregation and present
the matter to it.
Any member of the congregation can
call for meeting by having one week 5
notice given from the pulpit, but those
who have spoken Of the matter say that
inasmuch as the elders have been criti-
cised, they should do this, and put the
correspondence before 1t.
The correspondence with DR.. Dripps, it
appears, was entirely on the part of the
elders, and the trustees had nothing to
do with it, The trustees say they will
take no action in the matter whatever
until Jan. l, when DR.. Dripps' time will
expire, he having given three months
notice of his intention to leave the church.
In the meantime, they are arranging to
fill the pulpit from Sunday to Sunday as
the elders recommend, but will do nothing
definite with regard to securing a pastor
until the new year
The elders have the duty of looking
after the spiritual part of the church
work. while the trustees attend to Sec
ular matters. Both bodies act together
however, when the matter of securing a
pastor is taken up. The elders are
Messrs. Randolph Arson. William L.
Wakely, Joseph Clay D. r. Thomas
c. NJ. Gilbert and l.. T. Turner. The
trustees are Messrs. George ]. Mills
chairman; George C. Freeman, John c.
Rowland. Gen. A. r. Lawton and r. NJ
Butler.