The Washington times., 1895-04-29
ST. MARKS RENT ASUNDER
Dismemberment Threatens the Parish
on Account of Dissensions.
Differences Of Opinions About Maintaining
the Mission-Yestries De FactO and De
Jure-Rev. DR.. Graham's Position.

Some great calamity" said Rev. A. J.
Graham, rector of st. Marks, at Third and
A streets, yesterday morning, would be
the greatest blessing that could come to
that church. Otherwise the way ahead was
TO any one else.
The occasion of this statement was dis
sension in his parish which may result in
dismembement. Before the late rector,
Rev a F. Steele died there wassomediffer-
encc as 10 the maintenance OF the mission
started by Charles Parkman. of No. soc
ID street northeast, and cared for by his son,
Henry c. Parknan, lay reader recently
gone 20 church at LasVegas, N. NJ.
The older members wished 10 concentrate
their energies at st. Marks, while new aud
jealous commandments wished 10 extend
their work in the mission field. Mr Steele
favored lie mission. a ycarago the mission
parry appear TO have gained control, though
mol composing tire entire yestry.
Rev. David Richards was called to the rec
torshiP bat. as he was opposed 10 the mission,
he was dismissed.
Mr. Graham took his place At the
voSiry rirctian Eastrr Monday the younger,
or mission faction. elected }. b. Bennett
and :. B. Roare 10 b. senior and junior
warienS over }. T.. Torbert and w T.
kent. who bad long held the places, and as
ScStrymen, =. a. Wood. w. IL. NARROW, W
II. lllllyrr, II. j. EanlShaw, c. B. Fonda,
q. X. Landy. A. ii. Gaddis aud w. s.
Nicholson. IL. j. Wylie, OF the old YES
try, waS eft out, with Wardens Torhrrt
and Kent. {. B. Fonda was chosen reg
iStrar IA The place of Mr. TOrbert. who has
b,fd tlie place eight years.
The defeated party declare The election
illegal because iwenty-Seveu voters were
brought ia The mission at the last moment,
ihrlr dues pad for them, and their names
put on the ilhirN brforc they Were entered
ln the church books. They will contest
before the diocesan convention, and pos
sibly in The courts.
The subject uppeTInnst in all minds yes
tcTiay Was the probable result of this
dispute. Mr. Graham said that il would
be Impossible for him To preach: also the
Institutional service, which was set for
81. Marks Day, April 20, and postponed
on account uI lis Il aDScnce rrnn The ClIy lil
May =, would bc indefinitely postponed
The vcStry which, II reports were cor
rect, had met and gone into office on the
evening OF April p. he said. should meet
him at his study tins evening at 80
O'Clock; the Yestty de facIo." most OF
whom had gone iuto Office on Easter Mon
day ulgbj. WAS 10 come to lam at the same
place OF Tuesday ar y. NJ, aud Tuesday
at Z. 30 p M. all who Were willing 20 abide
by any decision be might make, should
gather at the church FOR Il meeting OF The
whole church.
Any oDc who wanted to enter into dis
cussion OF the troubles was invited to stay
away, and only such as We're willing to ac-
cept the rector's direction would be wanted.
Any OF thls number who might he unable
10 attend on account OF sickness or bust
AeSS were asked 10 send q statement to the
rector for his Use. Mr. Graham said he
did Hot know that lac would have any de-
! cisiOn to make; Il might be as dark ahead
4 then as now.
After that meeting it would be in order
Z TO consider the inst stitutional service 1t
would be the mercst farce for him to be in-
5ituied III authority over people who
fused 70 recognize his authority. and that
meeting would determine the attitude of
communicant members towards him.
The rectOr's statements We're received
without sign 10 show anything unusual
IA them, except that in the faces OF the au-
dience there were suppressed evidences OF
/ tintenSc anxiety. The ordinary services
! proceeded with smoothneSs and fervor.
AT the point where the service reads that
I II is a good thing for brethren to dwel to-
/ gether in unity some OF the young folks
present could not fOrbear 10 smile, and
when the rector said at one point impress
sively. I've got TO have q yestry; 1 don't
want Lw o VeStrlcS; don't know what TO do
with them, there Were evidences at seV-
eral points in the audience that the unin-
tended humor of the situation was recog-
niZed.