New-York tribune., 1896-07-23
BEHIND IN PEW RENT.
THE MADISON AVENUE REFORMED
CHURCH REPORTED TO BE AFTER
DELINQUENTS.
A MEMBER OF THE CoNsIsToRY SAYS THAT MANY
WHO HAVE NOT PAID THEIR DUES LIVE
WELL AND APPARENTLY HAVE


WELL AND APPARENTLY HAVE
AMPLE MEANS.
1t leaked out last evening through MEM
ber Of the Madison Avenue Reformed Church, OF
which the Rev Or. Abbott +. Kittredge
is the rector, that several prominent men,
bers Of the congregation were being pressed
through the medium OF an attorney, for the
payment OF back pew rent.
1t was stated that James G. Cannon. the
treasurer Of the church, who is also the vice.
president Of the Fourth National Bank, had
placed number OF these pew-rent accounts In
the hands of the attorney for collection. Some
indignation at this action seems TO have been
expressed on the part Of few of the men,
bers Of DR.. Kittredges congregation but 1t Is
apparently confined to those who have been
pressed for neglecting TO pay the money due the
church.
BENJAMIN A. Williams, of No 20 East Ninety
second-st., a member of the consistory Of the
Madison Avenue Reformed Church. was seen
last evening by Tribune reporter, and ex-
pressed regret that such report as the one
mentioned above should have become In any
way public. 1t was far from his desire. he said,
to be quoted in the matter but inasmuch
as there bound to be made public some
statement regarding the affair he felt that
something should be said TO place the church
in proper light. lie was not aware that any
arbitrary course had been decided upon by the
consstory In relation 10 the collection Of its
back pew rents nor had he been informed that
the treasurer, Mr. Cannon, had taken any steps
in the matter. although so far as he knew he
had full power so to do In speaking upon the
subject OF pew rents and their collection, Mr.
Williams said:
Conditions like these In the present case are
only those which may come up in the admins
tratior Of the affairs Of any organization. con-
Quoted according to business principles. and in
volving the receiving and paying out of money.
II money Is due an organization. action should
be taken to enforce the payment OF the same, in
case II becomes necessary. I am a member Of
the Conslstory, which is the governing body Of
the church. l have attended nearly all the
meetings Of the Consstory, and am therefore In
a position to know whether any arbitrary action
has been taken looking toward the enforcement
Of the payment OF money due the church in the
way Of overdue pew rents. l am positive that
it Is not the intention of the Consisttry to carry
their grievances into the courts, although II Is,
Of course. natural that II should desire to have
members In arrears make good their accounts.
80 far as I am concerned believe that where
O man is abundantly able to pay and declines
to do so when requested then he should be
made to pay And II Treasurer Cannon has
taken steps TO enforce payment, as has been
said then without any doubt 1t is only in cases
Of this nature The church does not expect
members to make payments when unable to do
SO: but there are men who live In fine style, own
fine homes drive elegant turnouts. and In other
ways show that they have ample means. who
allow their pew rents to run behind. ana give
no attention whatever to requests made them
to settle their accounts with the church. Such
cases IL any. are the ones that are being taken
up by Mr.. Cannon.
THE Madison Avenue Reformed Church has
free sittings for those who are unable TO pay
pew rental said Mr. Williams in conclusion.
The reporter also tried to see the Rev. Mr.
Kittreige who makes his headquarters at the
Union League Club In the absence OF his family
from the city. but he was not there. and II was
stated that he was out Of the city. James q.
Cannon. the treasurer Of the church. was also
out Of the city last evening. and could not be
seen From conversation with Mr.. Williams
and another member of the church II
learned that there was the best Of feeling
between the Rev. DR.. Kittredge and the men,
bcrs Of the congregation There was no dis
senslon "a 10 the manner In which the servcce
or the work Of the Madison Avenue Reformed
Church vas conducted. There said to be
perfect harmony among the officers OF the
church the pastor and the members Of the con-
gregation.