New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-09
TO LEAVE THE TABERNACLE.
THE RESIGNATION OF DIR. sTIMsoN AC-
CEPTED
LARGELY ATTENDED MEETING OF THE con-
GREGATIoN ACTS on IT-cORNELIUs n.
BLISS AND OTHERS sPEAK-DR.
STIMSON'S STATEMENT.
yDrD MEETING OF THE CON-

sTIMSONS STATEMENT
The resignation OF the Rev. DR.. Henry A. Slim
son the pastor OF the Broadway Tabernacle
presented last evening at largely attended meet
Ing Of the members of the church, and, after
long debate was accepted on a ballot by majority
OF 40 to 100
In the announcement OF the meeting 1t had been
stated that the meeting would be held in the chapel
OF the church. the entrance to which Is in Thirty
fourth-st but the chapel would not have contained
all the members who assembled before o'clock
last evening. and the meeting held in the
church proper Nearly all the seats, with the
ception OF those In the galleries. were occupied.
After prayer by DR.. Stmson. the business part of
the meeting opened with the reading Of the
minutes by the secretary. DR.. l.. c. Warner was
then unanimously chosen the moderator Of the
meeting.
DIR. Stimson then read the following statement:
A step disturbing 10 the peace of the Church
az returning your commission to me to be your
pastor should rest upon reasons that are both
years ago. believing In the worth Of Congrega-
1onalsm as workable eccleslastcal pol,ty be-
field OF usefulness In this city. and believing in the
gTesaonsi Church. %ftsr full conference and
correspondence extending over several months.
giving up my home and work in ST. Louis and
coming 10 you.
CHURCH WITH A DISTINGUISHED HIS
TORY.
This church had had distinguished history in
Its present position. but great changes were going
on abou. 1t. and / led to believe that the
church. and especially the brethren who came to
confer with me. were prepared to face the new
conditions and to adopt policy appropriate to
them. There were manifest reasons why the church
should II possible. remain where II is. and at the
same time urgent necessity for one or more
additional Congreg tona churches uptown To
accomplish both thes" results. indeed, TO secure
strong and aggressive life for church placed
uha ha 10, np1 inpa "a O. M
tial. outlined to the committee. which you sent
to me the main features Of such movement
quate financial scheme: sufficient staff OF work
ers; ministerial and lay proper facilities for work.
the church. and hearty cooperation OF the lead
Ing members who remain with 1t in swinging the
church into new line. and welcoming 10 IL all
classes OF people.
There we're facts in the situation after came
which made II inexpeden, 70 press any or these
matters for consideration for many months l ac-
cepted this cheerfully and strove to do the best pos
sble under the crcums stances When. however,
last autumn thought tie time had come FOR some
change OF method vas made aware tn nos tner
u permanent influence purpose to oppose wha.-
eyer might suggest with the intention o os e ~ hc
taken OF the annual meeting OF the society TO pre-
this / learned also thai IT was brued abroad in
the community to the injury OF me cnurcn arc 10
leaving us 10 escape controversy
4 NEW FINANCIAL PLAN NEEDED.
The situation is then simply this. The old plan
OF providing a revenue for the current expenses.
solely by pew rents which was adequate for entire
~ different conditions. bit which Is no longer feasi-
bic Is stu continued and FOR the three years IN
which have been here member OF the congre-
CATION however willing or wealthy. has contrib
uiel or has had an way by which he could con-
tribute TO the expenses ~ the church beyond the
amount Of his pew rent Heating debt OF 3D.. slo1V
the year came was allowed 20 augment to &DvO,
and then mortgage OF xoo~ was placed upon me
church. removing all further sense or individual
onslb leeDlf. III, fact that slight eUOr,
in The congregation last ia proved ne entire pos
nct in advance. "A mortgage small indeed az re-
lated to the value Of the property but grievous
and burdensome affecting the spirits and pros,
assistance. despt" much effort on my part 20
,r congfegatlonh organization; and. most i'm
portant OF all no decision has been reached upon
5ne t srI poy to be- pursued believe the has
for action in all OF hese drsSsiohs pu any
otb,- question can now come before the church.
excep, to be complicated with the question OF my
'e The Welfare Of the church requires that these
acton OF the church itself and that they be settled
after fun discussion, on their merits the tuihess
Of he to-day NANTES, In eyery OF OF the
church to deal with the situation whatever ior" II
While we have lost some valuable families and
our roll to he accurate needs to be still further re-
duced have received into the cnur rS nsmb e
received In the previous three years; our oen'v o
fences aggregate 5000. which OF COURSE uoe1 n9'
our bethany Mission. with its fourteen depart
ments and It's twelve or thirteen nmnprI red oa,csn,
was never or 90 well organized ana eIlcem,,
and never contributing 80 much 70 us own ~ IN
ana the , a@GsnTes !" our SERVICES WEE"
All my toral NE has been spent in consrue ~
work bui / have learned that the best work OF
minister is what he does IN building up ih,IVln aii
character ! am not willing to put that IN peru
BY ~ n.y. pos sa You TO IT, to being
accused OF being untrue TO my trust. II the iSord
Rad opened a door OF egress for me al any time dur-
Ing the last winter shonld for this reason have
been glad to step out. ,.r -, norso,o,
blessing. and thank YOU for so much of opYpori
iuny and FOR all the expressions Of your individual
fy the blessing OF God 1t has been | would only
might have done more would gladly spend hai ana
YOU and trust that YOU Will feel that your task
is easier and no, harder becaCe G tne bo part ri
I have only to add that you now have my resgna-
G se IN 10 yo ak "eci a, date to be determined by
our mutual conveniences subject OF course accord,
approval OF a council
DR. Stimson then left the church In order that the
members might discuss the situation freely and un-
embarrassed by his presence
CORNELIUS ~ BLISS SPEAKS
Cornelius n Bliss opened the debate by moving
that Or Stimsons resignation be accepted He
added: I'm making this motion wish 10 say that
in view OF the accepted resignation there was held
an informal meeting of the Church Committee and
trustees a few days ago AT which. without definite
authority for the moment. they voted 10 recommend
that there should be made a reasonable and proper
arrangement financial and otherwise. for the retire.
ment OF DR.. Smson.
DR. W. H. Thomson seconded the motion. and read
a long statement which was signed by Cornelius n.
Bliss Caleb b. Knevas. Joel L. Fisher. NJ. c. ID.
Borden and Irving Il. Fisher. trustees William II.
Thomson Austin Abbott John II. Washburn Henry
c. Houghton, Henry W. Hubbard and Augustus
GAYLORD deacons; William Washburn. clerk: n. G.
Fisher treasurer: H. G.. Thomson. superintendent;
Irving c. GAYLORD and Charles l.. Mead. The state
ment after telling OF the desire Of the signers to
cooperate with the pastor. when he came among
them In the maintenance OF the welfare OF the
church. proceeded In part:
After the experience OF three years OF his pas