The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-17
CHURCH DIVIDED.
Pastor Hunter Of the First
Baptist Church of Hobo.
ken in Hot Water.
TRUSTEES SEEK HIS RESIGNATION
Think Ii Is Not Dignitied to Re-
ceive Visitors in Shirt Sleeves
Novel Reasons.

There is discord between the Rev. Jas.
P. Hunter and the congregation of the
First Baptist Church, Hoboken. The
trouble has existed for some time, but il
Is only recently that the members of the
church have begun to assert themselves.
Some of the features revealed by the
dissension are both novel and interest
ing.
Although no fault is found by the trus-
tees or congregation in Mr.. Hunter as a
preacher or as a man, they say he Is
not up to the mark in their estimation
as a pastor. AS man, the Rev. Mr.
Hunter is blameless; yet his congregation
is not satisfied with him, and he has an
nounced his intention of resigning. I'm
til a few days ago the cause of the dis
satisfaction was a complete mystery The
officers and congregation were reticent,
and the mystery was difficult to solve.
Pastor Hunter succeeded the Rev. DR..
Finch as head of the church, three years
ago. Dr. Finch left the pulpit under sem
sational circumstances and when Pastor
Hunter assumed charge he found the con-
gregation at skies and sevens. Many
members of the congregation sympathiz-
ed with DR.. Finch, but the majority
were against him.
The trouble, it is said, arose one day
when DIR. Finch visited the church. The
element in his favor was delighted to see
him and received him with welcome
that, it is said, displeased his successor.
The Board of Trustees was made up of
men who, it is said, were friendly to
Mr.. Finch, and the result was, according
to the story told by some of the trus-
tees, that from that time on the Rev.
Mr.. Hunter and his trustees were at cross
purposes.
The trustees began to find fault with
Mr.. Hunter and Mr.. Hunter began to
was decided to cut down Mr.. Hunters
salary from 81, 500 to $1,000 a year. This.
il was hoped by some, would induce Mr..
Hunter to resign, but if that was 50, 1t
did not have the desired effect. The trus-
tees, it is alleged, then began to find
fault with the pastors habits.
Among other things they complained
that he was not sufficiently decorous and
did not deport himself SO as to uphold
the dignity Of his position. 1t is alleged
that among other things, he was not
over-careful or ceremonious as to the
manner in which he received visitors,
having welcomed them it is alleged,
with no more elaborate apparel than his
trousers, shoes and undershirt.
One of the trustees stated yesterday
that the Rev. Mr.. Hunter had been ask
ed TO resign. Mr.. Hunter. however, de-
niedNthat the Board had made any such
request, and added that they had not
authority to do SO. 1t was learned after
ward that no formal action had been
taken by the trustees.
I'VE have no fault to find with Mr..
Hunter as man. said one trustee, "or
as a preacher. In both these respects
he is all that can be desired, but he is
deficient in other qualifications which we
consider indispensable in a clergyman.
The church has fallen away to nothing
and something must be done. Mr.. Hunt
er is a good preacher and a good man,
but he does not suit"