New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-11
THOMAS DIXON, JR., RESIGNS.
DIFFERENCES IN THE TWENTY-THlRD
STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
MANY OF THE MEMBERS WANTED TO GO BACK
TO THEIR OLD BUILDING. But THE PASTOR
WOULDN'T HAVE IT-MR. DrXoNs
ROSY SCHEME OF A BIG UNDE-
NoMlNATIoNAL CHURCH.

NOMlNATIoNAL CHURCH.
The Rev Thomas Dixon. jr.. who In his Assoca-
ton Hall sermons has been conspicuous as sem
sational preacher for some time yesterday resigned
MS position as pastor OF the Twenty-thri Street
Baptist Church. which lie has held for nearly six
years Mr. Dixons resignation was not unex-
pected, and the congregation Will return 10 lts
former quiet methods in the Cd church building
while Mr. Dixon vii try 10 establish new Church
or rather religious organization. after ideas OF his
own When Mr.. Dixon was called from Boston by
the Tyenty-thirl street Baptist Church. services
were then being held in the church building at
Lexngton-ave. and Twenty-third-st.. and II was
found ample 20 accommodate all corners All this
was changed upon the appearance OF MT DIXON,
and the little church found too small
FOR the crowds who were attracted by the pastors
s,ye OF preaching After great deal o. discus
sion the older members, who were opposed 10
change. gave In, and the church was moved 70
Association Hall. at Fourth-ave. and Twenty-third-
st. where Mr.. Dixon since has weekly drawn large
crowds and built UP a reputation as a preacher
who had some hing startling to say 10 his congre-
gallon about every Sunday. His methods as they
developed year by year. caused great uneasiness
among the older ard more conservative OF the
church.members. and pastor and congregation
gradually began to drift apart Comparatively re"
a, those who gathered Sundays at Association
Hall were members OF the congregation, but were
those who came TO hear what is termed sensa-
t!ona" preaching. while the regular members OF
tho church gradually got in the habit OF going TO
other churches although still retaining their men,
bership in the Twenty-third Street Church
OPPOSED TO RETURN.
The latter have for time been discussing
the feasibility OF returning to the old church
building and AS Mr. Dixon has repeatedly said that
he would not agree to such "A move. any action OF
the kind on the part Of the trustees or members
would be tantamount TO asking for MI Dixons
resignation. The members OF the Board OF Trus-
tees are as follows Dr. Joseph A. Bennett, chair
man. Edgar F. Higgins. treasurer; Alfred d. Clnch,
secretary: Andrew J. Robinson, Freeman VI. jack
son. Lucian A. Chaplin. Henry f. Cantel. DR. F.
Van Rensselaer, Phelps and Or. John Woodman.
1t is said that the board, who are all OF one MIND
the subject. had practically agreed 10 return
the old building Another cause OF dissaustac-
ton to the congregation vas the fact that Mr..
Dxon's lectures and outside work were making
great inroads upon the time that should have been
devoted 10 the interests OF the Twenty-hrd Street
Baptist Church. Mr.. Dixons salary was 500
year
The hall was crowded yesterday morning when
Mr. Dixon rose to read his resignation. which gives
his reasons doing and his plans FOR the
future. His reasons in part were as follows;
First-In the particular work 10 which nave ne-
voted my life In New-York. namely the reaStnIn8
Of the non-church going masses; l. am sSnh "a
that the machinery OF a strict BapusI SmuaT Tn IN
hndranee 70 the best ,n WGrk beye the time has
make Christian union really IN our SreS'
| propose to place my work upon union evangens.
cal platform. with one principle only reeosn'zed
believe il is more important 10 lift many men out
OF the ditch than to spend my time making rev
men Baptist -, ,-.
Second-Some of the older members OF the church
have for time desired to leave ms nan 10 re-
|. turn 10 their pews In the church building Your
board has three times expressed this desire TO me
would not consent to IT, bu a m ha
instrument for reaching and SAVING ;n rs men lr maj
~. red nd nell
years TO leave this sea OF eager upliftei races;
return 10 the quiet and narrowness OF your church
building would be to me the betrayal OF divine
Third wish to have perfectly free pulpit In
which 10 push TO their last logical conclusion those
nss which A s&xe Ss@ To insist upon
absolute nonessentality to true religion OF a
and church ociasm smphasiz,ns as OF frs; I'm,
the freedom OF the ndydMss os
faith in new lights in the effort to rebuild the
ing r fsns s sick OF the Of
traditions: go to proclaim the sacredness OF me
wbirh Inc Gospel OF Jesus Christ must have Its
social fnlhlmcnt. II society Is TO De saVed "''
have preached these truths for Ave years !
wish now to law aside my denoninationai pas SS
dha'ermnei therefore to reorganze and establish
our hall work upon a permanent OASIS
He continued that ne starts on with at least iW
members and I'VE will see in the spring the bud
and blossom O, the divine IN the great church out
side the Church"
In the five years he had been with them he said.
thousands had been turned from the door for lack
OF room; 100 had made confession or faith. AIS
pew members had been received $s 900 raised and
$40 900 given TO outside missions and benevoences
and the finances in hour!shng condition.
When he had finished reading his letter Mr.. Dixon
made a further statement. In which ne said tina.
his resignation had been determined upon year
ago, and not caused by anything said in pulpit
or pew II proposed he said, at time to
erect n 81 10000 auditorium. but the financial panic
stopped this. and then some OF the older members
desired to return to the church building which he
refused to consider.
THE PAST AND FUTURE.
Later Mr.. Dixon at the Ashland House.
where ne Is temporarily living He said that he
had great faith In his ability to gather large con-