The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-09
OBJECTED TO DAMN"
No Profane Man Should Be Elected to a
Church Office.

ShhiNh OiliNNs
The Rev. Edward J. Lloyd was the pas.
tor of the First Presbyterian Church in
Verona, N. j., until two weeks ago, then
he resigned. His resignation split the
church. and some of its former members
have decided to form Congregational
church. The immediate cause OF the
trouble was few remarks that Mr.. Lloyd
made just before the annual election OF
church officer in February.
Verona is near Montcair, and Is like
score of other New Jersey towns. Ii
has a population of about 1900 made up
merchants. For many years there was
only one church in the village. Metho-
dists alone dispensed religion there.
Their church was a strong one, with near
ly 2b0 members. In 1894 newcomers in
the town got together and established a
Presbyterian church in hall. TIE Rev.
Mr.. Lloyd, a young man fresh from col
lege, was called to take the pastorate.
Mr. Lloyd accepted the call and went to
Verona tao years ago this summer.
MIR. Lloyd found himself at the hea OF
church of only II members, and he
went. 10 work to build it up. He sue
ceeded. by means of tennis clubs, bowl
ing clubs, ana picnics he interested the
young people of the church. Mr.. Lloyd
complaint was that he was not eloquent
enough. MIR. Lloyd preached plain SER
mons in plain way. They We're not very
fiowery, but thes had good common
sense, and most OF the people were satis-
heu. Mr.. Lloyd, moreover, made him
self the friend of about every poor family
in the town. 1t was thought at jrst
that he might stay in Verona as long as
he liked. His lack OF eloquence did not
make much difference, for the Methodist
minister was not eloquent either.
Things went on smoothly until the
Methodist conference sent another preach
or to Verona. He is very fluent speaker.
With his arrival Mr.. Iloyd's troubles be-
gan. The members of his congregation,
who were dissatisfied with his sermons,
became more restless, ana a division in
the church became apparent. Mr.. Lloyd
did what he could to smooth things over,
but he was not able to put an end to the
trouble. The split grew and plainly
something must ne done to put an end
TO it., or 1t would put an end TO the
church.
A majority of the people felt like stick
ing to Mr.. Lloyd. The church had ninety
members and q building lot. The end of
the matter was brought about by Mr..
Lloyd himself In n sermon that he
preached three weeks ago Sunday The
annual church election was not far off,
paigning in progress. Mr.. Lloyd felt 1t
his duty to give little advice. and at the
close of his sermon he said a word about
the coming election. lie first spoke about
the necessity of using great care in the
selection of trustees, and the Importance
OF electing only good men to office. lie
said that the trustees must be honest and
upright and pure in thought, and finally
that no man who used profane language
was fit to direct the affairs OF the churcn.
The remark about pro 'anity was the last
straw. IL was said that Mr.. Lloyd's re-
mark was directed against a member of
the Session, who, during discussion,
with another member, made use OF the
word "damn." AS 1t happened the man
who said damn was one of Mr.. Lloyd's
opponents, and what the minister said
didn't tend to make him friendlier.
Mr.. Lloyd went to see the Rev. DR..
Frazer in Newark, and laid the case before
him. Dr. Frazer told him that he might
better resign for the good of all con-
cerned Mr.. Lloyd acted on the DIR. Fraz-
er's advice, and on the next Sunday read
his resignation from the pulpit. That
did not end the church's troubles, how
ever. Ex-Judge John ). Rogers circulated
a petition asking Mr.. Lloyd to stay.
Sixty of the members of the church
signed it, but 1t had no effect on Mr..
Lloyd. Then Mr.. Rogers and some Others
got together and decided TO start Con-
church. j. +. Williams, one
of the most prosperous men in the town,
gave lot and $500 for the purpose. Mr..
Roger gave s1C0 and Others gave $780,
The anti-Lloyd people of the Presbyterian
church is la possession led by ex-Judge
John l.. johnson, a Newark lawyer. Soon
Verona will have three churches, but the
Rev. MIR. Lloyd will be in charge of none
of them.