New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-15
DIR. POTTER STAYS AT HOME.
THE BEsIEGED PASTOR DID NOT GO
OUT YESTERDAY.
HE SENDS OUT AN ADDRESS WHICH Is READ TO
HTS CONGREGATION IN THE SMYRNA


SENDS OUT AN ADDRESS WHICH READ TO
HTS CONGREGATION IN THE SMYRNA
WELSH CHURCH.
The Rev DIR. Daniel c. Potter, pastor OF the
Baptist Tabernacle, did not leave his home IN
the church house yesterday, and the Rev George
NJ. Vanderpp, a retired minister, preached TOT
him in the church OF the Smyrna Welsh con-
gregaton, IT. East Eleventh-st.. which has been
lent to DR.. Potter and his congregation since
their church building was seized. The marshals
who have been in possession OF the church
house as a result Of the contentious between
DR. Potter and the Baptist City Mission society
were on guard as usual yesterday Sunday
sightseers passed the besieged parsonage IN
little groups and stopped and looked at the
house.
DR. Potter sent out only communication
Yesterday, and that was the address which was
read to his congregation by Mr. Nanderlpp. In
this he said that he did not believe that the
City Mission Society approved all the violent
methods OF Edward s. Clinch. who said he rep
resented il. Dr. Potter said further:
A little while ago / got letters from friends and
strangers wondering at the few things that
had said about the time the trial OF our case be-
gan. They thought | was mad. But was not
mad. | speaking words OF soberness, al
though did not myself then know the full eX-
tent OF this wckedness. / now get letters, when
! get any at all. for my mail has been tempered
with again and again in different parts OF the
country Ghe details of which l Will give at a
later day., begging me to be silent, to suffer the
wrongs to endure the loss. for my denomina-
tons sake, because in my crying and its continu-
ance great criticism has come TO our people and
they fear that our churches and institutions Will
lose money. They say that il IL better for you 10
die and your church TO be stripped OF It's proper
~ rather than that so many should suffer
tried being silent for i've years and my con-
dition has become bruited throughout the whole
world. | kept still until | found that by dishon-
est means you were to be strangled; now am
just beginning 10 talk, and the actions or thls
society and its attorney have made II possible
for me 10 get hearing. | have much 70 say.
Their sins be upon their own heads,
When a brother clergyman came and de-
nounced this society exhibiting an evil spirit
and doing the work Of Satan, they promptly
called him to account. He is given 10 under
stand that it is unsafe for any one to lift the
voice In your behalf One UNCONVENTIONAL paper
with whine regrets his many actions, and says
he cannot know the facts" He does know the
facts II is the plaintiff paper that is ignorant
And So. my people. we start into another week.
! do not know what IL contains for you and for
me- | beg you TO remember that the eyes of
great denomination. bewildered, uncertain and
wondering, are upon us. AS for myself, / shall
try TO do the best thing under all the circum-
stances. see the best thing for US all am
conscious that the situation is novel, full Of dan
ger, requiring tact, patience and courage. IT |
fail II Will not be because / have not done the
best | knew II | am driven out of the house
where / have a perfect legal right TO remain.
shall make the best OF that. and assure you that
even in that event the battle has only just begun.
There is Bible-story Of great king of I'M
limited possessions, people and pride His heart
filled with his own greatness. He loved the
homage of men and the incense Of personal wor-
ship. He felt he ought 10 be god. His image,
high, vast and imposing. was set UP for his sub
jects to adore. The music sounded and the multi
tude fell down. That man-made god had a head
and shoulders Of shining gold. He was glitter
ing. blazing sight. but the feet OF that image
were from ore and clay. And God the Infinite
rose up and smote that image. and II fell forever
on the plain Dara. little later on that mighty
king was driven from his home and was glad 10
creep in and eat grass and lie in the stalls Of
cattle
Ny people. pray God 10 bless YOU in my wax
ing hours, and | struggle to bring YOU help and
cheer in my dreams | could he with you to-day.
for I can both come and go without fear in spite
Of the guards bu. do not think 1t prudent to
leave my few and poor belongings and the men,
bers Of my household to the barbarsm Of these
hirelings in halls. ] thank you all for your
patience and fan hfulness. ! especially I'M
der obligations to those who. in their anxiety.
have lately sent US help and cheer.