The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-03-23
HATHAWAY RDIlRGs.
Congregational Meeting Of
Westminster Presby-
terian Church Last
Night.
FAREWELL LETTER TO MEMBERS
Resolution Proyokes a Spirited
Discussion-Troub Makers
Denounced.

UtuOuuCeus
There was two circumstances in con
nection with the Congregational meeting
in the Westminster Presbyterian Church
last night which precluded the possibility
of any serious outbreak on the part of
the opponents of the Rev. Mr. Hatha-
way. Rev. DIR. Charles Herr of the First
Presbyterian Church, who is a staunch
supporter of Rev. Mr.. Hathaway, acted
as moderator, and at his suggestion Dr.
Hathaway remained throughout the pro-
ceedings. This was surprise to many,
and especially to those members of the
congregation who, had come prepared to
defend in a vigorous if not complimentary
manner the minority who had persistent
ly badgered and criticized their pastor un-
til he was forced in self defence to ask
to be relieved of his charge
The meeting was held in the session
house. which was we'll filed long before
DR.. Herr called the meeting to order. The
young people of the church were there in
force. Few outsiders were present. DR..
Herr prayed for harmony and brotherly
love" Elder F. French, Clerk of Ses-
sions, who acted as Clerk of the meeting,
read the call for the gathering, which
was Ito take action regarding the pas
tors resignation, and to elect commission
ers to represent the congregation at the
meeting of the Presbytery.''
Rev. Mr.. Hathaway then rose to pre-
sent his final statement. He began to
read it in a cold hard voice. but his tones
gradually melted. however, and when he
came to the passage alluding to the young
no hr0lr IL
he had finished there were few dry eyes
In the place. DR.. Hathaway said:-
MY Dear Brethren and Members of
Westminster Church--You are all aware
that this meeting has been called by the
session at the request of the pastor for
the purpose of considering my desire, as
expressed to you informally from the
pulpit on the 18th of last month, for the
dissolution of the sacred tie which has
bound us together as pastor sand people
TOR eighteen years, and to elect commits
sloners to the Presbytery. of Jersey City,
who shall unite with me in such request
For a long time have been consider
ing this step. and | can assure you that
1t is not without much prayer and care
ful meditation that my decision has been
reached. The work of this church or
ganization has never been light and the
financial stringency through which the
whole country has been passing the last
rev years has been especially productive
of financial burdens to churches. to
which we have not been an exception.
This has greatly increased our anxiety
and labors.
Il have striven to do the best I could
under very trying circumstances, and it
has been me a great joy that through
all my efforts to keep our church work
in active effective forward movement. I
have been so ably and Faithfully sus-
tained by the congregation. 1t is to me
tonight as stand here to lay down this;
work-an especial source of joy that I
have never seen the time in all these
years when l did not feel conscious of
strong sympathy and support from the
people, and especially the young peopIe
of this church. This has been one of the
greatest elements of my success among
you.
II do not know of any church where
the young people as a body are more
loyal to pastor and session than are those
OF. this church, my beloved young people
| love them as none but a parent or pas
tor can know. The hope of the future
Westminster Is in the noble band of
young men and women, and younger bows
and girls as are found in the membership
of our Senior and Junior Christian En-
deavor Societies and Sabbath School. In
asking you to unite with me in the re
quest Which | am to make to Presbvtery
for the dissolution of our relations /
need not remind you of the pain that II
causes, or of the unspeakable regret,
This regret is all the more deeply felt
because OF the assurance which / have OF
the true friendship toward me abiding in
the hearts of this people, and also of the
community in which have lived the past
eighteen years and when have learned
of your expressed intention to refuse to
join with me In my request to the Pres
bytery, it has been hard for me to stand
true to said purpose. Your respect
esteem and love, which you have so free
ly expressed, prize above all else OF
| public relation.
but let no vote be cast tonight, I en-
treat you, but such as shall be for the
| consummation of my settled purpose Ia
ask the Presbytery to release me from
| this charge. In making this request.
am enabled to present 1t with far greater
cheerfulness by reason of my heartfelt
thankfulness and appreciation of all the
kindness received at your hands. My one
| wish for Westminster Church Is that it
shall be DrosDered more abundantly even
| in the future than in the past. and shall
| continue to be the place where souls
| shall come. to the saving knowledge of
| our blessed Lord, and shall go forward
| In every good word and work
| In conclusion / commend you all To
| the loving care of our blessed Lord and
Head of the Church, with the hope that
We may be privileged to meet OCCASION
ally on earth and hereafter forever in
Dr. Herr added few words to those
conversation with your pastor he said
and know his mind quite fully. j
| know how firm his resolution is, how
! earnest his purpose, and know how he
| has considered the best interests Of all
4 His wish now, as he passes out of rela-
| ton with you, Is that this body of Chris
| tian people shall be compact. harmoni-
| Gus and united in heart and spirit. IS
such thing is possible he would like tc
pass out without leaving the least BIZ
i perity and blessing of the church, o1
| which we are humble members be the
| first consideration in all that we do to-
night.
A vote on the resignation was called
| for, and the ichoked voice of one sob:
4 bing woman was the only one that OBJ.
| posed it's acceptance The minutes vii
/ show that it was unanimously accepted
| as were also these resolutions which
4 were presented by Elder Howell the old
est member Of the congregation and the
4 firm friend Of DR.. Hathaway
"Whereas, Our beloved pastor, the Rev
4 I. W. Hathaway, D. D., who has so faith.
fully served this congregation for the
| past eighteen years HAS expressed his de.
| Sire to be released, we, the members al
| Westminster Presbyterian Church Of Ter.
ssey City in acceding reluctantly to This ne.
quest of DIR. Hathaway cannot refraig
! from putting en- record our high opinior
OF cur retiring pastor as a man and 8
| minister.
During all the years of the SACKED rela,
tlon which has existed between us. Dr
| Hathaway has gone out and IN amoalg 11s
as one who has adorned the gospel of Qua
Blessed Lord and Savior by Cody wa II
| and conversation, ar example to the fiorjx
! In the pulpit and out of 1T, IN preaching
/ and pastoral fidelity he has proved him
self "a workman the needeth not to bt
ashamed. z
j aWhen DR.. Hathaway came among u.
we were W0rEhipping in a small Wooder