New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-07
PRICE THREE CENTS.
SIX TRUSTEES RESIGN.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS OF THE TROUBLE
IN DIR. HALLS CHURCH.

JOHN s KENNEDY JOHN p. DUNCAN r. FRANCE
HYDE. ROBERT H. ROBERTSON. HORACE 4
GARTH AND G. O. wHEELocK DECIDE
TO GIVE Up THEIR OFFICES.
The internal troubles which are just All.
tatng the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
are II seems not to end with the resignation OK
the dissatisfied members OF the session. Six OF
the Board Of Trustees the body which haA
In charge the material welfare Of the churcn.
Rave determined TO resign also meeting of tho
trustees was held last Thursday night and tho
outcome Of the gathering was that all save TWO
Of the trustees decided that. as the congrega-
tion had practically shown want OF confidence
in the officers OF the church, 1t was incumbent
upon them 10 resign. II is thought probable that
the other two members Will also give the congre.
CATION the opportunity OF either dismissing or
re-eleoting them.
This action on the part OF the trustees was
entirely unexpected and when DR. Hall an
nounced from the pulpit at yesterday mornings
service that a special meeting Of the church
would be held on February il. to elect seven
new trustees. in place OF men who intended re-
firing from their trustceships. and vacancy
caused through death. the surprise felt by tho
congregation was almost as great when the
pastor himself few Sundays ago, impaired TO
his flock his purpose Of leaving the church But
In thus relinqushing their official standing IN
the church, It is asserted that the trustees. with
possibly two or three exceptions. are not AMI
mated by any unfriendly feeling toward DR..
Hall.
REASONS FOR THEIR ACTION.
Briefly the basis for the action resolved upon
at last Thursday nights meeting is this: The
session desired DR.. Hall TO vacate his pulpit and
because Of the pressure which was brought TO
bear upon him from this source. Dr. Hail. after
long consideration and numerous conferences.
ultimately expressed his willingness TO obey tho
wishes of the elders But when the matter. In
accordance with Presbyterian law. was submit
ted TO the cong 'egatlon the sessions policy was
repudiated, and Or. Hall. by the unanimous
vote of the meeting was asked TO withdraw his
resignation. DR.. Hall did recall his resignation.
and In consequence several members OF tho
ses sion resigned The trustees. as a majority.
have now decided thet the reflections cast upon
the Judgment OF the session apply TO them an
officers Of the church. and. constituting the vote
OF the congregation an expression OF want
of confidence In all the iaymen who have the ad-
ministration of tha church in their hand. six OF
the trustees. as stated. have s!gnifed their In.
tenton to resign.
The six trustees who VIII retire are John n
Kennedy, president; John P. Duncan, E. Fran
els Hyde. Robert II. Robertson. Horace f. Garth
and George C. Wheelock. Francis Forbes and
James o. Shelion the two men who have not
resigned. but it is possible that they may do so.
The formal notice read by DR.. Hall yesterday
morning as follows:
M M beS @ G the s SRnee on Mona the ias
day Of February. 1898 at o'clock p mr for the
ng fermS 8! The trstees whose terms Will expire
% Francs Fra lis" HYDE Ha and Robert II Robertson
signed three trustees whose terms 9t ,ioo once w
Of Horace +. Garth. John p. Duncan and George
G. Wheeock. resigned; the trustees whose terms
1000 in place Of John S Kennedy, resigned. and
James Fraser deceased
no COMMENT FROM THE PASTOR.
DR.. Hall made no comment in giving out tho
announcement nor did he in his sermons, at
either the morning or afternoon services, make
the slightest reference 10 church affairs.
Although several members OF the session and
Of the trustees who were seen after the SER
vices refused to answer any inquiries bearing
upon the existing differences in the church 1t
was ascertalned that John s Kennedy's name
would probably not be brought forward for re-
election A leading member Of the congrega-
ton. who refused to allow the Of his name.
I'm conversation with Tribune reporter yester-
day afternoon, said:
Had Il not been for Mr. Kennedy DR. Hall
would never have been requested TO retire Mr..
Kennedy's opposition 10 DIR. Hall springs from
the Warszawiak case. The Rev. Dr. a. +.
Schauffier. superintendent of the city Mission
Society. was the first u denounce Narszawlak.
Henry Varley. the English evangelist, in turn.
published q pamphlet condemning IN strong
terms the men. with wealthy influences behind
them, who were alleged TO he prosecuting wars
zawiak Or. Schaufiler and Mr.. Kennedy are
brothers-in-law. Mr.. Narleys pamphlet implied
that Mr. Kennedy the influence behind Or.
Schaufier. The true facts are bound TO come out
in the course Of the next week or two, and con-
scquently thers IS harm in saying what
have at this moment
SESSION TO MEET on THURSDAY.
The session will meet Thursday night next
in the ministers room Of the church. to take
action upon the designations Of Malcolm
Graham Alexander Maitland, John Sloane, L.
Francis Hyde and Henry l.. Smith. Silas B.
Prownell refused TO say yesterday what course
he would pursue but strong impression pre-
walls that he and Colonel !. J. McCook will also
adopt the same attitude as their colleagues just
named.
There is a strong feeling I'm the congregation
that Robert Bonner should be chosen 10 suo-
ceed Mr. Kennedy rs president Of the trustees.
Mr. Bonner has served many terms In this Office.
His most recent term expired In December last.
but because Of one Of the bylaws of the cnuich.
which provides that year must elapse before
trustee can become eligible again. ne could not
be re- elected. II will be seen rom the notice
read by Dr Hall yesterday that the vacancies
caused by the resignation or MeSars. Hyde ana
Robertson whose period OF Office ends IN Decem-
her next will be filed on February r. and IL Is
likely that Mr. Bonner Will be once more chosen
10 preside the Board, although he may not
bccin his duties until December.