New-York tribune., 1895-12-17
CHURCHES PROPOSED.

CHURCHES PROPOSED.
Asbury Park Dec. ls (SpeciaD.-The fight for
the control Of the First Presbyterian Church In
Asbury Park has begun again with redouoed ener-
gy To-day the Monmouth Presbytery held an open
session in the church building In Grand-ave'
for the express purpose OF defending Its action IN
dismissing the Rev. Howard T. Widdemer. the
former pastor OF the church. and to mete out salu-
tary discipline to the obstinate elders and mem
bers of the congregation who persist in following
Mr. Widdemer.
The exact purpose Of to-day's session was not gen
orally known in Asbury Park and when the MIN
listers convened in the octure-room OF the church
they practically alone After a time, however
news leaked out that the session was an open one
The Widdemer followers came in and took seats
in Isolated groups in the Of the lecture-room
The session informal in the morning Dr.
Van Dyke told how Mr.. Widdemer had been dis
missed from the Newark Presbytery on grounds
that seemed so eminently satisfactory and conclu-
sive that the vote was practically unanimous me
Monmouth Presbytery sought information about
Mr. Widdemer and about the church and congrega-
ton over which he had presided, about the analrs
OF the parish the finances and everything else con-
nected with the case.
The main source OF distraction 10 the ministers,
however was the remarkable popularity attained by
Mr. WidGemer in his undenominational serV-
ices begun here three weeks ago The first
OF these services held In EDUCATIONAL
Hall Senator Bradley. who is great nenever YER IN
10 be teld there. Last Sunday fully l~w people at
tended the service in the Opera House Ihese lactS
were brought the attention OF the Presbytery ana
II was decided that something must be cone 10 pre-
serve the autonomy OF the FIRST Fiesos' 'eiiai
Church in Asbury Park. ,...o.o..
After DR. Van Dyke had recited the circumstances
attending Mr. Widdemers dismissal oy the .\sMalh
presbytery. there was an open meeting IOi HoiI Iia-
4ion EVerVbody told what he knew ABOUT tne CON
tumacy of the elders and the obstinate persistence
OK .he entire congregation in following MT W1a
damer wherever he went No reason Was asssnvu ,
why Mr. Widdener could not preach the H4spe! ou.
81 le N the Presbyterian Church, put as ms meet
sngs tended TO lower the influence or ffesDy teiaI
ism In Asbury Park it manifestly inc sehtl- u
,nsnt Of the Prrbvtery that some action should ne
taken to discipline lukewarm members anu p''Hs 'e
Churcn more 10 the froni ,.,., e.
Resolutions finally adopted Ioohule -
union OF the Westminster Presbyterian CHuICn' pI
which the Rev j. T. Dawson is pastor, ana me
First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Dawson mas r. r.
Gently resigned from the pastorate in order 10 cier
-be wev for this union. and he announced IN tne
Presbytery to-day that he had accepted oa 10 -
10 New-York - .. fort, ,ba,
The principal resolution, however, set iorth 'hal
che time had fully come for the exercise OF I'M
mediate effective and vigorous discipline anu
cornmjttee consisting Of Dr. Young; Dr EVeitt!'
0r IA shell DR. Van Dyke. the Rev Maitland Alex
ander and Elders Eli Baird ana James oteen VIZ "h
annointed and invested with the powers OF tne
1'resbyery iHfct the necessary peidI'ies Il '0S
are held 10 have been properly incurred .,.,
There considerable dssension IN ',e IN INV of ,5a
Mr. Widdemer's followers resented tIle use % @ t,o
word fraud in connection with his name anu seN
oral times the Moderator threateheu 10 CoSo 'e -
DOORS and eject all outsiders from the room, IL Is
ro, bejeved here that any action OF the fresoHteiE
,ril affect the fortunes of Mr.. Wlddeiner, VINO Il
frmly implanted in Asbury Park church nIe, am am
whose following is taken in great measure l'oih d"