The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-01-11
TOO LIBERAL IN HIS VIEWS.

TOO LIBERAL IN HIS VIEWS.
The First Church, New Britain, Dr.
vided Against Its Pastor-The Rev,
C. Henry Sandwich to Visit England,
New Britain, Jan. 10.-The members
of the First Congregational church of
New Britain for some months have
been divided on questions concerning
the advisability of retaining their pres
ent pastor, the Rev. G, Henry Sand
we'll. Mr., Sandwich has had some OPP
position from members of the church
ever since the date of his becoming
pastor, but not until quite recently was
1t known that large part of the con-
gregation hoped for his resignation.
He is one of the ablest speakers in the
pulpit in New Britain.
Mr.. Sandwich has not resigned his
passionate, as was rumored, nor has he
any immediate intention of doing so.
He has been kindly granted leave of
absence by the church society, and he
VIII probably leave for England early
In March, to return in May His re-
naming pastor of the First church may
depend largely upon his sojourn in
England. 1t is widely known that
many of the members of the church
are strongly opposed, to Mr.. Sandwich
retaining the pastorship of the church
any longer, and that others are ar
IDENTIFY DESTROYS that he shall continue
IN that position. There has been open
opposition to MIR. Sandwich for the past
TWO years, and some of his opponents
are both members of the committee
and church society. Some of the men,
bers of the congregation claim that his
sermons are too broad minded and not
sufficiently orthodox; others say he is
decidedly too English; others that he
does not visit as often as he should,
and still others. that he does not dis
play sufficient executive ability.
The principal cause, however, of all
the discord appears to be the SEEM
ing or apparent broadness of Mr.. Sand
wells religious views as expressed in
his sermons. Early in December a
committee of the prominent members
OF the church waited on Mr.. Sandwich
and informed him of the situati ton, in
timating that his resignation would be
acceptable Last spring Mr.. Sandwich
changed the regular Sunday evening
SNA WV, DuI Lit CIldHSG was ulScOn-
tinued later in the summer, as it did
not meet with entire approval. Not
Withstanding the growing discord, MI.
Sandwich has some influential friends
on the church committee, and also
among the members of the congrega-
ton. He recognizes that the commit
tee has neither authority nor right to
ask his resignation, and he probably
knows that majority of the voting
members Of the church would decide in
his favor.
Mr.. Sandwich came to New Britain
from Toronto, Can. He has been pas
tor of the First church nearly six
years. He receives a yearly salary Of
$4,000 in addition to the free rental Of
the parsonage
The rumor that gained circulation,
yesterday, that the First church would
shortly consolidate with the South
church, is absolutely without founda-
ton. The property of the church soci-
ETY. is valued at over 100000 and is
clear of any mortgage. 1t is known,
however, that the society would build
a new church on West Main street if
suitable sale of the present church
property were negotiated.