The herald., 1898-02-07
iALL TO STAY
ut the Church Trustees
to Resign
he WARSZAWlAK INCIDENT
HREArENs DISRUPTION OF THE
HREATENs DISRUPTION OF THE
SOCIETY
ie Disgruntled Trustees Are Finan.
cial Governors and Also Finan-
cial Backers Of the Church
,sociated Press Special Wire

,sociated Pross Special Wire
NEW YORB, Feb. 6.--The trustees OF
Fifth avenue Presbyterian church
I'VE resigned. Announcement to that
,ect was made from the pulpit by DIR.
hn Hall this morning and the men,
RS Of De congregation were notified
meet at the church Monday after
ION, February 14th, and choose new
ustees.
The church was crowded, and prior
giving out the text Of his sermon DR..
all made the announcement. He read
notice In a sad tone of voice, but
ade no comment on the matter. though
attracted attention among the pew
lders, who began whispering to one
other, but desisted when he began his
rmon.
After the morning services, DR.. Hall
Id a short session with many of his
arm supporters in the congregation
ID afterwards there were many con-
rences in the vestry room and the pas
RS private room. The congregation is
,und to stand by DR.. Hall, no matter
hat may be done by the session next
iursday evening. and today they were
wing him the warmest assurances of
cir support and assistance.
The members of the congregation were
ath to discuss the significance of the
ustees' action, but 1t was admitted by
obert Bonner, ]. H. Work and many
hers that it was the direct outcome of
differences of the factions in the
lurch.
The trustees are the financial govern
S of the church. They are also the fin
lcial hackers of the church. They not
lily represent in themselves financial
lpport, but also represent the Nc
)oks, the Maitlands and the Sloanes,
no are supposed to be opposed to the
'ntinuance of Dr. Hall in the pastorate
he resignation of the trustees, follow
g closely the stand taken by the con-
egation last Monday night, is ex-
'cted to be followed next Thursday by
e withdrawal from the session of many
fiuential and wealthy members.
Robert Bonner, warm advocate of
r. Hall, said today that the resignation
Dr. Hall had not been prompted by
e financial condition of the church.
r. Bonner asserted that the dissatis-
ction with DR.. Hall by members of the
ssion commenced with the Warsza-
lax incident last summer. Had that
It occurred there would never have
,en, Mr.. Bonner believes, the slightest
position to DIR. Hall.
Herman Warszawiak had charge Of
lie of the churches. Charges of mis-
nduct were made against him and he
as found guilty by the session and dis
Used from the church.
Dr. Halls sympathy was with Wars
WAX, and he stood by him a little too
ng, continued Mr.. Bonner.
"At the time / said that either Wars
lwiak was guilty and should be dis
Used from the church, or John E.
irsons was guilty of a great libel on
M"
This incident, Mr.. Bonner thought,
nded to make a breach between those
40 thought Warszawiak should be
smissed, and Dr. Hall. The dramatic
cident in the Fifth avenue Presbyte-
IN church last summer, when DR.. Hail
nounced the decision of the session in
case of Warszawiak helped to widen
e breach so far as DR.. Halls position
rs concerned. The congregation, how
er. as whole was not affected by the
cident, the manifestation of sympa-
y by DR.. Hall only serving to endear
m the more to them. Mr.. Bonner said,
wever, that prior to the Warszawiak
cident and long before the charges
ere preferred against the man, DR..
Ill announced to him that it was his
tention to resign the pastorate of the
urch at the completion of thirty years
labor.
DR.. Hall made no reference in his SER
On to the affairs of the church.