The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-05-24
WHSqMINS7HR'S REPLY
Official Statement Of the
Trouble Between the
Church and DR..
Hathaway.

BY the last mail on Saturday night
each member of the Westminster Pres
byterian Church received a copy of the
statement read by Elder Black on the
preceding Sunday regarding the trouble
between the church officials n DIR.
Hathaway. The facts it contains were
published in The Jersey City News the
following day. The facts stated in
1.-The News" nave been contradicted by
the officers of the church, who still re-
fuse to furnish the newspapers with
copies of the statement, which, they say,
concerns only church members. This
statement was read while DR.. Hatha-
way was in Indiana and unable to an
swer it.
For fear that some of the members may
have been absent from the service when
IL was read the elders had it printed for
private distribution. A copy of it has
fallen into the hands of a News re-
porter. 1t as follows:-
the Members of Westminster
Church. Greeting
Dearly ~Beloved-There having been so
much publicity given to the affairs of the
" westminster Presbyterian Church., and
the published statements having been
mostly of SO erroneous a nature and cal
culated to do great harm to our church,
" IL Ii ~ IL
a Snort statement to our people.
The trustees feel deeply the charge
that they have withheld the pastors
salary" and it was expected that Dr..
Hathaway himself would set the matter
right. as he well knew his salary was
PAID him as fast as the money came in;
put ms silence has lent color to the
cnarge, Tor which there is lie foundation.
"The trustees books show there was
no accumulation in their hands. except
during June. when the receipts were held
70 meet the interest on the mortgage, due
July ~; and again in August, when the
r n1edi was away two Sundays; i'm
meulately on his return, however, DR.,
hands.
In regard to the charge that DIR. Hath
away mas been unjustly treated, the facts
are an the other way-the church inter-
esls nave been made to suffer by reason
OF the course pursued by him.
Dr. Hathaway well knew the outspo-
ken opinion of his church officers as far
BACK as the summer of 1895 1.-TWO years
agol and fully agreed with them that the
interests of the church would be best
supserved by a change in the pastorate.
It was then tacitly understood hat he
Weuid seek and obtain a new charge. The
onncefs gave him ample opportunity and
time before bringing the matter 10 his
attention again; in fact, a climax was not
reached until November. 1896. when he
February, 1897, but only on certain con-
ditions imposed by himself. These con-
ditions were all agreed to by the officers,
on4 AoiiiiAe9 ny them TO the letter.
reports have been made that seventy
nve members and upwards have left the
church, and among them are some of
Its heaviest financial supporters. The
facts are that twelve persons only have
called for their letters, and these twelve
paid into the church treasury last wear
less than a total of s150. as shown by the
There nave also been many other
statements published, for which there is
no foundation whatever, but we do NOT
+ 4 N If nfif hlo -
detail. 49, ~
We rejoice to be able to report a much
better feeling among our church people,
which Is evidenced by the well attended
Young Peoples Society, Sabbath School,
and especially in the newly organized
Ladies Aid Society; and also that the
Easter ofering from the church and con-
this year exceeded nearly four
times the offerings of past years.
'Tnere are many points which might
be gone into; but we believe that those
touched upon will suffice to show that
the church officers have not been dere-
lict in any point of duty. Thew have
heretofore carefully avoided giving any
publicity to this matter, believing that
the least said Is soonest mended.' and
their intention is to continue that policy
hereafter.
W. believe that Westminster Church
mas q grand mission in the field Of
christian work, n it is our duty to
stand in our places and work where the
Lord has placed us. We are sorry that
even twelve of our former members have
lett us. and hope, and pray that they
Will make themselves useful doing the
Masters work in their new folds.
by order of the Session.
FRANCIS FRENCH. Clerk