The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-02-07
Outcome Of the Differences of the Factions
In the Church.
There Has Been Some Dissatisfac-
ton With the Pastor Since the
Warszawiak Incident Last Sum-
mer, When He Stood by the
Accused Man-His Congrega-
ton Will Stand by Their
Pastor.

NEW YORK, Feb 6-The Trustees
Of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian
Church have resigned. Announcement
TO that effect was made from the pull
pit by the Rev. DR.. John Hall this
morning and the members of the con-
gregation We're notified TO meet at the
church Monday afternoon, February
14th, and choose new Trustees The
church was crowded, and prior to the
giving out OF the text of his sermon,
DR.. Hall made the announcement.
Dr. Hall read the notice in sad tone
of voice, but he made no comment on
the matter, though it attracted atten-
ton among the pewholders, who began
whispering to one another, but desisted
when he began his sermon.
After the morning services, DR.. Hall
held a short session with many of his
warm supporters in the congregation
and afterward there were many confer
ences in the vestry room and the pas
tors private room. The congregation
is bound to stand by DR.. Hall no mat
ter what may be done by the session
next Thursday evening" and to-day
they were giving him the warmest as
surances of their support and assist
ance. The members of the congrega-
ton We're loath to discuss the signifi-
canoe of the Trustees action, but it
was admitted by Robert Bonner. ]. H.
Work and many others that it was the
direct outcome of the differences of the
factions in the church.
The Trustees are Governors of the
church. They are also the financial
hackers Of the church. They not only
represent in themselves financial sup
port, but also represent the .cCooks,
the Maitlands and the Sloanes, who are
supposed to be opposed TO the continu-
ance of DIR. Hall in the pastorate. The
resignation of the Trustees, following
Immediately the stand taken by the
congregation last Monday night, is ex-
pected to be followed next Thursday by
the withdrawal of many influential and
wealthy members.
Robert Bonner warm advocate of
DR.. Hall, said to-day the resignation OF
DIR. Hail had not been prompted by the
financial condition of the church. Mr..
Bonner asserted that the dissatisfac-
ton with DR.. Hall by members of the
session commenced with the WarsZa-
WAX incident last summer Had that
not occurred there would never have
been, Mr. Bonner believes, the slight
est opposition to DR.. Hall. Herman
Warszawiak had charge of one of the
churches. Charges of misconduct were
made against him and he was found
guilty by the session and dismissed
from the church.
DIR. Halls sympathy was with WarsZ-
awiak and he stood by him a little too
lonx, continued Mr. Bonner. ''At the
time I said that either WarsZawiak was
guilty and should be dismissed from
the church, or John E. Parsons was
guilty of great libel on him.
This incident, Mr.. Bonner thought
tended to make breach between those
who thought Warszawiak should be
dismissed. and Dr. Hail. The dramat
ic incident in the Fifth Avenue Pres
byterian Church last summer, when
Dr. Hall announced the decision of the
session. in the case of WarsZawiak
helped to widen the breach so far as
Dr. Halls position was concerned. The
congregation, however, as whole. was
not affected by the incident, the mani
festation of sympathy by DR.. Hall only
serving to endear him the more to them.
Mr. Bonner said, however. that prior
to the Warszawaiak incident and long
before the charges We're preferred
against the man. DR.. Hall announced to
him that it was his intention to resign
the pastorate of the church at the COM
pletion of the thirty years of labor.
DR. Hall made no reference in his SER
mon to the affairs of the church.