The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-18
SENTIMENT OF PLYMOJTH,s MEM
BEERS IS AGAINST CLOSING
THE CHURCH.
THAT ADVICE IS PROBABLE
FROM THE ADVISORY COMMITTED
NAMED TO CONSIDER THE
PRESENT SITUATION.
STATEMENT FOR PRESENTATION
Read and Approved Last Night-Res-
OlutiOns Regretting the De-
pnrture of Rev. DIR. Willard.

The Plymouth Congregational church
mas strong likelihood Of living on, at
least for a half-year, while another
effort Is made to lift it out of it's f1nan-
clal embarrassment. Recently a COM
mlttee was appointed from the mem
bers of the congregation to canvass
the remaining members for the pur-
pose Of obtaining the general senti-
nlent and compiling a report of the
exact condition Of it's affairs for SUBJ
mission to an advisory committee con-
5sisting Of President Cyrus Northrop.
OF the state university; James W.
Strong, Mortified: Rev. J. HI. Nor
ley. Rev. S. v. S. Fisher and Rev.
r. P. Herrick, Of Minneapolis. This
advisory committee will determine the
future Of the church.
A meeting was held in the church
last night when the statement referred
to was read and approved and will be
given to the advisory committee to
consider at meeting to be held next
Monday. While the report was adopt
ed the session last night showed there
was division Of sentiment on some
points, but that majority was In
favor of continuing the church.
The financial committee reported that
1t would cost about $2,14S to keep the
church open until Jan. 1, 1898. 1t would
cost $1,000 from the present time until
May; $500 from May until October, and
$500 From October until January. The
committee reported that $3.50 Of this
sum was already in sight, leaving a
balance Of but 5000 to raise, which was
believed to be easily obtainable.
The committees report also shows
that the sentiment Of the members of
the church seemed to be in favor OF
maintaining the organization, and not
in uniting with Park Congregational
church, as had been suggested. It
was asserted that 1t would cost Is per
cent of the total cost Of keeping the
church open, to close it up, keep it in
repair, pay taxes and retain the valua-
BILE property. One estimate was that
it would cost 81, 900 to maintain the
church even, If closed.
1t was suggested that not over one
fourth Of the membership would 90
transferred to Park church, and that
the balance would be so scattered
that it would be impossible to bring
them together again, should the church
decide to reOrganiZe in the future. The
belief was expressed that a united eff
fort could start the church on it's feet
again. and that the present crisis would
soon be passed. A general effort should
be made to bring in new members and
families. Too much effort one gentle
man thought, had been made to main
tain the church as "the leading Con-
gregatiOnal church Of the city" Too
many people thought a great church
was judged by an immense edifice, q
large membership roll and q big rev.
enue, rather than by it's energetic and
progressive spirit Of Christianity. The
striving to maintain the largest
church was too worldly, and it was
thought it would be no disgrace even
if Plymouth church did lose some Of
the empty glory OF being the largest
church. Others clearly shared tho
same views There Is believed to be
but little doubt but that the advisory
committee will recommend a continual
ton Of the church in it's present state
of usefulness.
The following, prepared by H. H.
Hart, Catherine w. Nichols and J.
Watson Smith appointed by the church
to prepare suitable resolutions in view
Of the resignation Of their pastor, Rev.
w. B. Willard, were approved:
In accepting the resignation Of Rev. Wat
son B. Millard as pastor CT Plymouth church,
the church and the society desire to place on
record their hearty appreciation Of his earnest
and self-sacrifcing labors. He has proved
himself a tireeSs worker, a devoted pastor
diligent student of the Scriptures and q
faithful teacher Of Righteousness, both in the
application Of the truth to the lives Of in
dividuals and in its broader application to
social obligation and civic duties. We desire
to bear testimony also, to Mr.. Millards char
acter as good man and consecrated Chris
tian. While we have been profted by his
pulpit minstration, we have been especially
helped by his leadership of the weekly prayer
meeting.
The pastorate of Mr.. Willard has been car
red on under serious difficulties, owing to the
financial depression and the continued exodus
of our members to recruit the outlying
churches; but, under his leadership our
financial obligations have been met the at
tendance services has been fairly we'll
maintained, and in 1885, for the first time in
several years, the numbers received ex-
ceeded the number dismissed.
Mr. Willard has the cordial good wishes and
the earnest prayers of Plymouth church for
his success on the ministry of the Lord
Jesus Christ.