New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-20
SAID TO HAVE USED HOT WORDS
COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE REV. JOHN T.
w1LDs TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE
pREsBYTERY-HIS OPPONENTS
TELL OF THEIR GREW

ANCES
Twenty-fve members OF the Seventh Presbyterian
Church at Broome and Ridge SITS, among whom
are elders deacons, trustees and Sunday-school
teachers have signed petition. which VIII be pre-
scented at the next meeting OF the Presbytery OF
New-York charging that the pastor OF the church'
the Rev. John T. Wllds. has Disseminated against
certain members OF the church by neglectin8 10
visit them when they were ILL., that he called on
certain elder OF the church only twice IN seven
years; that he excluded an elder from the rite OF
communion, and threatened him with arrest that
he used language In the pulpit that was not Chris
tian In character, and that he has kept many MEM
bers away from the church by his actions.
The Rev. Mr.. Wilds. who Is a graduate OF Prince
ton became pastor OF this church twelve years
ago When seen last night by a Tribune reporter
ne said: IL have nothing to say ABOUT 'h' o"a,
that will be made against me. Ihero 10 $40
trouble In the church. but prefer not 70 DISCUSS IL
and will leave that matter to the people WHO "''
against me-"
The Seventh Presbyterian Church was established
in 1870 with the Rev Ellhu w. Baldwin as Its hrst
pas,or He remained with the church until May
1895 when he became president OF the Wabash uni
verslty at Charlottesville. Ind. The church was
nj one time prominent In Presbyterian circles ana
the father and mother Of Elliott F. Shepard were
rnen,bers Al tho time Of mis- death Elliott +. shep-
ard was president OF the Board OF Trustees OF the
n.
The cause OF the present trouble dates back sew
eral yeara and originally between the pastof
and Thomas Black. who Is one OF the eiuers, DO
we'll as sexton OF the church. Mr.. Black salu "
reporter: THE trouble began when / objected 70
the young people coming into tho church anu
dancing in the evening. They woud even PIC,
cards in the church, and other games not proper
IN Gods house Then tho pastor used language
In tho nulplt that both myself and others resented
IJo said in one sermon as he raised his right hand
4 can count all my friends on inc nnBers Vi iii, g,
hand The rest are craving, sum hiid slch neople
only three weeks ago he said: some OF the pGUp.Gg
OF the , Se'e Iasi thiry days that il rises in my
nostrils like ill-smelling vapor Ihete ae nu 4,
t T died before morning would go to hell have
worn out the knees OF my trousers anu nots ~
the carpet praying for the sn sins sa of 1Res these things
but those who signed the petition to the
tery heard him. ana , w hundred members Now
only about fifty come TO the services ana e.m ti,
We must have another pastor or many OF US VIII
Sir. Black has been a member OF the church TOT
sixteen ysor AND Tor give w that place when
Mr. Winds demanded his resignation. and he y
SIN in ehGrse and ,s says Sh, tnS' ne proposes
on cPman ssnHSr principal Of the the s s1,cn
sh9o at Cn oSe tina assistant OF
tfe sunday school and no tells the following story:
TOOK III that ne time there were sixty children in the
primary department when the school reopenen on
september a. after the summer vacation. hau ~
children In that department The Rev MT W .S ns
wanted mo 10 conlne tho children In room ~ by "a
feet In which was large stove; when was con- ION.
tinualIv giving or gases. | refused and was
forced 10 leave the Sunday school on Sunday, Sep
,cnhcr q. Al that time ] wanted 70 say rev
words Of farewell to the children. but the pastor re,
fused "a allow me To DO So and threatened to send
for policeman 10 put me out II did not leave nj
once" . A.. ...,o.
Among Others who are opposed 10 me pastor
"a Or = w Thompson OF No. 3o2 East Broadway
who was once an elder OF thu church but WAS De.
noecd hy the pastor. III have nothing TO say now
about the trouble" said he. II prefer TO have, my
saw later Mr. Wiids has made n mistake, and ne
will ma II out" ,- -. -.
All sorts ~ charges and counter-charges are mace
and ,hcv are carer for tho meeting OF the Pres
hytcry OF New-York on December IL.