The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-27
REV. MR.. POUNDS WILLGO
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH BOARD
ACCEPTS HIS RESIGNATION.
Pastor May Make a Public Statement
of the Affair Later-His Nu-
merOus Offers.

The congregation Of Central Christian
Church, by the vote of it's official board has
decided to accept the resignation of Rev
John E. Pounds, which was rendered the
board about five weeks ago. The final ac-
ton on Mr. Pounds's resignation was taken
last night at a meeting of the board held
in the church. John S. Duncan presided.
The session was prolonged and no one was
present except those who were acting in
an official capacity
Mr. Pounds's relations to the church were
discussed at length, but the vote which
finally determined the matter was not
unanimous A majority of the members APP
peared to be of the opinion that it was
unfair to Mr.. Pounds to delay the matter
longer, while some others thought definite
action should be postponed until next Sun
day. One member was emphatic in the as
sertion that Mr. Pounds should be permitted
to resign at once, so that ne could accept
some of the numerous calls that have been
extended him. A member of the board who
appeared 70 favor the resignation of Mr.
Pounds, declared that he had heard enough
in the meeting to convince him that the
pastor could not again have the full CO.
operation of the members of the church. 1t
is alleged that another member of the
board said that while he had remarked to
a brother member that Mr.. Pounds's SER
mons were growing somewhat insipid, he
had at the same time declared that he was
in favor of majority rule in the church.
and would willingly abide by the wish of
the majority.
1t was urged that the Central Christian
Church could not afford to have more dis
satisfaction in this direction, and whether
Mr.. Pounds left the church or remained,
the pastor must have the loyal support Of
every member. Finally a resolution was Of
fered and read, to the effect that the resig-
nation of Mr.. Pounds should be accepted.
The resolutions provided for a committee Of
three to confer with Mr.. Pounds, and as
certain his feelings in regard to when he
cared to give up the work here. On this
committee was appointed Dr. w. v. Nor
gan, b. B. Cole and J. r. Ryan. This COM
mittee will officially announce the action of
the board to Mr. Pounds. The full text of
the pastors resignation. the board declined
to make public. 1t is understood the resig-
nation simply stated that Mr.. Pounds de-
sired to give up the pastorate for reasons
which were mutually understood. When of
ficially informed last night of the board S
action, the pastor declined to discuss his
relations with the church He said that he
~--~
people of the city, but he was not sure.
THE reasons for my resignation are well
understood by the congregation, he said,
land can't go into. discussion of them
now. In the main they are trivial things
that are likely to arise in any. church., l
would much prefer that anything in the
way of an explanation to the public be
made by the official board of the church"
Mr.. Pounds came to the Central Christian
Church two years ago. from Cleveland, O..
He has been in the ministry for nine years;
He is thirty-three years of age. In the last
few weeks he has received call from the
Christian Church at Springfield, ILL.,, and
has received letters from Cincinnati, Co
lumbus, Cleveland and New York, inquir-
ing whetl er. in the event of his retirement
from the pulpit of the Central Christian
Church, he would be willing. to take up the
work in either of these cities From New
York recently came an intimation that Mr..
Pounds would be welcomed to the west
Fifty sixth-street Church of that city:
Members of the Walnut-street Church, Of
Cincinnati, and the Main-street Church, OF
Columbus, have also written him.
The members Of the official board of the
Central Christian Church say they have no
one in mind at this time to fiji the place
soon to be vacated by Mr. Pounds.