New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-11-15
TROTBLE ~ A CHURCH.
POLITICS SAID TO RE BEHIND THE OPPosi-
TON TO DR. HATHAWAY.

TON TO DIX HAIhAWA1
Rumors are current that discord prevails in the
Westminster Presbyterian Church. Jersey 'i'y II
Is reported that the faction that Is opposed TO the
nastor the Rev Dr. ]. w. Hathaway is aggressive
and endeavoring to force the pastor to vacate the
pulpit Gossip about the factional STRIFE was
heard a week ago. The officials ana members
were reicent and several denied that there was the
slightest foundation for the stories In circulation
Despite the denials the friction exists lts extent
could not be ascertaned but II was learned that
the pastor had been requested to resign by the
leaders OF the rival faction. which consists OF
small minority one report circulated yesterday
has It that he refused. and another that he had
entered into agreement with the officers OF the
church to resign by May next. TO afford HIM time
20 find a new charge and the church an opportunity
70 select his successor. The church officers were
asked about the matter. but refused either 10 deny
or affirm either OF the two reports.
The Rev. Dr. Hathaway. when seen last night.
said: My policy is TO do no talking. as may be
misunderstood. Neither report is correct. pre-
sume there are a few people in my congregation
who would like to have my resignation. The ground
is finances. There Is no politics In It, have made
no statement concerning my resignation. and no
conference has been held between me and any OF
the members Of my congregation. except at the ses-
sions held early this week. when the question Of
church finances was raised and discussed. but no
definite conclusion was arrived at. ms the best solu-
ton Of the problem"
Although the church debt Is made the basis OF
the attack on Dr. Hathaway. there has been
singular coincidence regarding the time OF the
sudden activity of his opponents. Three years ago
he active In the campaign for good govern
ment. Immediately after the election of Colonel
Tofey as Sheriff the minority faction caused
trouble, with the hope OF driving the pastor from
the church. DIR. Hathaway Is president OF the
Law and order League, and was active in the
work OF prosecuting vioators OF the law last
spring and summer, and the murmurs Of dssatis
faction of the opposing faction were heard. In
the campaign just closed DIR. Hathaway delivered
several sermons on the duty of Christians as cti-
zens and Immediately after the election the OPP
posing faction revived the question OF the church
debt to belite the executive ability of the pastor.
DIR. Hathaway mas been pastor Of the church for
eighteen years. lie was installed In March, 1873.
He is energetic and eloquent. When he assumed
charge the congregation was small and
shipped in plain chapel There were then scv
enty-five communicates under his guidance. The
church .prospercd, and 1t now numbers over three
hundred communicates. and has a Sunday school
of 325 scholars. In 1885 handsome church
erected This created heavy debt The collec-
lions annually satisfactory until the Ma
tional election of 1892 The financial stringcncy
followed. and the receipts were inadequate. The
opposing minority then began to critcise and
blame the pastor, and aimed to force him out OF
the church The fact that il has always put on
activity at election time induces many to believe
that politics has as much TO do with the attacks
as church finances.