The San Francisco call., 1897-01-21
CALLED DOWN BY
THE MODERATOR
Lively Meeting of the
Plymouth Church Con-
gregation.
The Election of Deacon Smith
Verbally Opposed by One
Member.
Strong Language Causes a Demon.
stration-The Pastors Resig-
nation Accepted.

That Christian meekness of spirit which
should properly characterize the delibera-
tions of all church assem- blies was not the
only sentiment displayed at last nights
adjourned meeting OF the Plymouth Con-
grega tional Church. Mr.. Wagner. a
member of long standing, opposed the re-
election OF Stephen E. Smith as deacon,
and expressed that opposition In lam
guage of distinctly parliamentary
character.
The pastor, of the church, Rev. W. D.
Williams, presided as moderator, and
there was a large attendance. The elec-
tion of deacons having been named as the
first order of business, Deacon Bufford
proceeded 10 nominate Stephen S. Smith,
voicing at the same tims his panied sur
prise that a movement having for its OBJ
ject the defeat of Deacons Smith and Gar
field should ever have been promoted.
He spoke at some length and in terms of
the highest eulogy concerning Deacon
! Smith services to Plymouth Church and
| his long and honorable tenure of nearly
| every arduous office in its gift. Many
| other well-known members of the congre-
| CATION echoed Deacon Bufford's words
| 1t was in the midst of Bradford s eulogy
| that Mr.. Wagner in reduced the element
of verbal discord. The former had just
observed that the opposition to Mr..
! Smiths election must be due to misunder-
standing. Mr.. Wagner rose at this juno
ture and curtly informed Brother Brad
ford that he (Waymer) had been mem
Der of the church for eighteen years and
| yet had seen lit to vote against Mr.. Smith.
| Later in the evening having secured the
J floor, he expressed himself more plainly.
1t was remarkable, he said in effect, that
any body should take the trouble TO assure
the meeting of friendly sentiments toward
! Mr.. Smith when these were so obvious. 1t
would be quite superhuous, he added, to
assure the meeting of the virtues of some
one known to be thief and an outlaw
A storm of Kisses interrupted Way
mer, and the moderator called him to or
der.
A ballot was subsequently, taken, with
the result that Deacons Smith and Gar
field were reelected by 156 and 153 votes
respectively. The congregation received
the announcement with prolonged ap-
| plause.
Deacon G. J. Snow was elected clerk and
treasurer. and thes following were ap-
pointed members of the standing comit-
tee Judge Sawyer, W. B. Sheppard,
Mrs Garfield, Mrs, S. s. Smith ana Mrs.
Flddes. Messrs. n. P. Cole, T. A. Hyde
and s. F. Bufford were unanim ously ap-
| pointed members of the music com mittee.
| Under the head of new business the pas
tor again presented his resignation IN the
appended letter, which, IN accordance
with the desire of the writer, was regret
fully accepted, though it was afterwa I'd
decided to appoint committee of five
to draft resolutions respecting the same:
THE STUDY, PLYMOUTH CHURCH,
SAN FRANCISCO. CAL, Jan. 20, 1897
| To Plymouth Congregational Church-DEAR
BRETHREN: Permit me once again to present
to you my resignation as pastor of this church,
| the same TO take effect the first day of March,
| 1897. respectfully ask that 1t be regarded as
] final and absolute, and kindly request that 1T
! be accepted at this meeting.
! Renewing my thanks to you all for every
mark of Christian kindness. and prayerfully
desiring your continued peace and progress in
! all spiritual things, am, and | hope ever to
remain, II the bonds of the Gospel, yours very
truly, w. ID. WILLIAMS.
Several additional routine matters hav-
ing been disposed of, the meeting ad-
lourned.