The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-11-24

CHURCHES WILL WED.
The Tabernacle Church and
Society Unanimous for
Consolidation.
MESSAGE, SENT 10 BERGEN CHURCH
Meetings Will Be Decided Later
Hill People Meet and
Agree, Too.
SENT 10 BERGEN CHURCH

The Tabernacle Society and the Taber-
nacle Church met last night in the lee
ture room of the church, to consider the
possible consolidation of the Tabernacle
and the South Bergen Reformed Church
The President of the Board of Trustees,
Mr.. Theodore Parker, presided at the
meeting of the society. The lecture room
was filled to overlowing. It was sthe
largest business meeting held there for
years. The meeting was opened with
prayer, and Deacon w. J. Hunt then
presented the case to the people. He
told of their struggle for existence of
the South Bergen Reformed Church and
of their appeal to their Chassis. He told
the story given in last nights News
of the appeal made by the Consistory to
Mr.. Scudder and the Tabernacle This
appeal must have a reply. He then spoke
of the reasons against consolidation, say
ing there would of necessity have to be
some personal sacrifice made on both
sides. 1t would be hard for those living
down town to give up any service. The
advantages derived from such a consolida-
ton were manifold. First of all, by tax
ing in these 200 members, so many more
people would become interested in the
Peoples Palace work. Financially, it
would be of benefit as between the two
expenses would be raised The many
Hill members of the Tabernacle would
find the new church more convenient,
and many people living on the Hill who
had been obliged to leave the Taber-
nacle because of the distance would be
able to attend again.
When Mr.. Hunt had concluded his
statement the chairman called for an ex-
preston of opinion. For some minutes
there was silence, then questions were
asked fast and furious But one speech
was made in opposition. Several rose
and said then had been opposed at first,
but since hearing the facts they. were
heartily in favor When all questions
had been satisfactorily answered a mo-
tion was made that the Tabernacle ac-
Bergen Reformed Church, provided the
title, now being searched, was found cor
rect All in favor were asked to rise
and everyone jumped up. The negative
vote was called for. and the chairman
who had been standing on chair to
count the affirmative vote. exclaimed as
no one rose, Thank God it is unani-
NOUS The society then adjourned and
the clerk OF the church, Mr. George H
Ware, read the call for the meeting.
The church voted unanimously to en-
dorse the action of the society. The
question of the plan of service was
broacfied. At first it was thought best 10
propose a plan to submit to the Reformed
Church. 1t was decided, however, that
should the Reformed Church decide to
consolidate it would be best to have a
joint meeting Of both churches to decide
the policy and not let it be thought that
either church intended running both
A resolution to the South Bergen Re
formed Church was adopted. The resolu-
tion read:-
Recognizing the guidance of Almighty
God, the Tabernacle Church accepts the
overtures made by the members of the
South Bergen Reformed Church relating
to consolidation of our interests and
work.
A committee was appointed to present
this resolution to the members of the Re-
formed Church at their meeting Wednes-
day night. The committee consists of the
two pastors of the Tabernacle, Deacons
Negus and Hunt, Trustees Parker and
Rowland and Mr.. Ware.
Prior to adjournment those present rose
and sang Praise God from Whom all
Blessings fow."
The Consistory and men members of
the South Bergen Reformed Church met
committee appointed by the Consistory to
confer with the Tabernacle, Messrs
Craig, Crosby and Hoagland, stated how
the overtures had been received and ask
gu III al SApressiol ol opinion one
man objected. He said he thought money
should be raised in some other way
number of speeches were made in favor
and when the facts of the case had been
told carefully and explicitly the one OBJ
jecter decided with all the other men
present that it was the best solution of
the problem. Every one expressed his
satisfaction at and appreciation of the
action of the Tabernacle. Everyone
seemed positive that the meeting We'd
nesday night will result in the unanimous
decision of the members of the church
to consolidate the two churches.