New-York tribune., 1896-04-02
THE BROADWAY TABERNACLE
A REPORT THAT THE REV. DIR. sTIMsON
MAY RESIGN
POSSIBLE CHANGES IN THE CHURCH CAUSE DIS
CUssION-THE LATE DR.. TAYLORs SUCCESS
soR TO MAKE AN IMPORTANT
ANNOUNCEMENT SOON.

ANNOUNCEMENT SOON.
Reports that there might be change in the
pastorate of the Broadway Tabernacle In the
near future, and that the property at Broadway
and Thirty -fourth-st.. which has been familiar
to all NewYorkers az a rlace Of worship for
many years. might be sold II fair price for 1t
could be obtained. have been much talked about
lately by the members Of that prominent and
influential Congregational church. We-in
formed members said yesterday that definite
announcement as tc the report of a possible
change In the pastorate might be expected In
few days, but that no offer for the church prop
erty which was likely to be accepted had been
made.
The Rev DR.. william NJ. Taylor was the
pastor Of the Broadway Tabernacle for many
years and was known throughout the country
as one Of the most eloquent OF American clergy
men and pulpit orators. His sermons attracted
widespread and favorable attention, and his per-
sonality did much to strengthen the church ana
make 1t a popular place of worship. The men,
bership OF the church is about 1000, and In the
congregation are men OF wealth ard high social
position The salary paid to DR.. Taylor was
large and when he was obliged 10 cease preach
ing about three years ago he retired as the
pastor emeritus an ample pension during
his pastorate there not much said about
moving uptown, although the church site he'd
become Immensely valuable and some OF the
members OF the church thought 1t might be sold
to advantage and larger site for more I'M
posing building further uptown purchased with
the money.
The Rev. DR.. Henry L. Stimson accepted the
pastorate OF the church three years ago. coming
to this city from 81. Louis. where he had been
known as a popular preacher and successful
chu rker he mer hers
has not decreased during his pastorate, and the
work Of the church along missionary and charit-
able lines has increased while the Sunday school
never was in a more nourishing condition. The
recent report that there might be a change In the
pastorate is said to have originated on account
OF talk on the part Of some OF the members that
DR.. Stimson has failed to gain so large place IN
the public eye as that filed by DR.. Taylor. Many
Of tho church members have said II was not sur
prlsing that the great reputation or the late Ut
Taylor had not been equalled by his successor
In three years. No fault-fnding with DR.. Stim-
sons sermons or church work in this city has
been heard in the discussion OF the reports.
In the last year there has been considerable dis
cusson Of plans for moving the church to site
further uptown. and Dr. Stimson recently de-
voted a sermon to a review OF the arguments on
both sides II the question, without expressing
his individual judgment Or Wlsnes some nehn-
bers Of the congregation who now live In that
part Of the city west ot Central Park have been
known TO favor move in that direction but
there are many other members who still i've In
the district OF Broadway and south OF FIJI
ty-ninth-st.. ana they are mostly opposed 10 4
change Of site
AT the close of his sermon last Sunday, Dr.
stinson mentioned the fact that he had just
ended tn. third year Of his pastorate in the
church Then he said he had intended TO make
an announcement of interest TO the church mem
bers but as the unfavorable weather had kept
many ~ the members away. he would defer what
ne he'd 10 say on that point until next Sunday
His remarks have caused the report of possible
change in the pastorate 10 be talked about IN
the congrcgaiion with renewed interest.
To a Tribune reporter last evening DR. Slim
son said: "The report that change OF pastorate
might be expected has been In c!rcula ton Tor
three months. but at present there are no facts
that | can speak OF. ] carnot say what am
nouncement may be made in the near future"
As 10 IL possible change Of the church site. Dr.
Stlnson said there was nothing new In the
situation So far as he knew
A prominent and influential member of the
church who desired that his name should not be
mentioned in connection with the report. said
mon last Sunday led n number OF the members
OF the church to expect that he Will announce
his resignation next Sunday. There has been
talk about his possible resignation for several
months No fault IL found with Or. Stimson
except that his sermons have not attracted the
wide attention which the public gave to DR..
Taylor's sermons. Some of the members have
thought that the Broadway Tabernacle ought TO
have a preacher ~ National prominence such
ms DR. Taylor was in his active years. | think
some of the talk to that effect has been carried
To DR. StimsOn. His work In the church has been
successful and satisfactory In many ways, and
he has many warm friends among the members
OF the church"