The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-07-19
SANTA R0SA'S CHURCH WAR
OVER A HUNDRED MEMBERS
WITHDRAW.
Indorse the Advanced Ideas Of the
. Deposed Minister and Will
Organize New Con-
gregation.
Special Dispatch to The Call

SAN1A hOSA, july 10 hO Nio
sension in the First Christian Church
of this city has eliminated in a rupture
Over one hundred members have with
drawn from the church and they vii
at once perfect a new organization.
When at the last regular business
meeting Of the church body it was de-
cided, bv the narrow margin OF tive
votes, not to renew the call Of the
pastor, Rev. Jay William Hudson, Il
was predicted the action would divide
the congregation. Rev. Mr.. Hudson
was deposed by the efforts Of certain OF
the more conservative members of his
flock who were of the opinion that his
views on certain orthodox questions
were too advanced. The presentation
Yesterday of a letter of formal with
drawal, signed by 101 of the most prom
inent members, evidences that the be-
lief was based upon more than idle
rumor.
At the meeting held two weeks ago,
when it was finally decided not to re-
new the call, Mr.. Hudson, with charac-
teristic firnness, during the course OF
q strong speech said:
On this principle of liberty of thought
! stand tonight. and If 1 am again called
to the pulpit of this church 1 want it to
be on this principle on which my coun-
try is founded, and which should be the
only creed of the church universal: III
you cannot give me the liberty of my
individual conscience 1 ask you to extend
me no call. for 1 can give to the world
no less grand principle.
The result of the vote, which showed
that of the members present rs were
against and 76 in favor of Mr.. Hudson
L 81 10 lr~1Naa g
discussion. Friends of the pastor openly
charged that the meeting had been
packed" with members who had not
been in the church for years and who
were not even acquainted with Mr..
Hudson. 1t was declared that had it
been generally known such action was
contemplated the pastors friends could
have had out enough members to make
the vote two to one in his favor. ThlS
was denied by the opposition.
A few days ago Mr.. Hudson, hearing
that certain members were contemplate
ing withdrawing their membership
from the church, addressed to them the
following letter. 1t failed to change
their plans, however, as subsequent
events proved:
To Members of the First Christian
Church: Information has reached me
concerning the intention of many influ
entail members and workers of the FRS
Christian Church to withdraw from tina
body because of its recent action regard
ing principle for which I have stood.
urge you to consider we'll the step yol
are contemplating. If you can consist
emily remain in the church and work will
its members in harmony l would earnest
ly counsel you, regardless of myself, II
the interest Of unity to remain.
If, on the other hand, after careful con
sideration, you find it impossible to con
tinue in harmony with the church in 1T!
is occasioned by lnr continued loyalty
to this principle o. -berty, I cannot bu
leave the matter to your individual con
sciences. knowing that principle is more
than church and character than creed.
Sincerely, your pastor,
JAY WILLIAM HUDSON.
The following is the letter of with.
drawal. When it was presented yes
terday Mr.. Hudson. who was then Of
floating for the last time, spoke strong
ly against church divisions, but said hi
felt compelled to accord to all the same
right to freedom Of thought In this mat.
ter that he claimed in all things:
We, the undersigned, workers and mem
bers Of the Christian church, believing
that the action of the church at it's re
cent annual meeting is contrary to OBJ
Vious Justice, as well as the cherished
principles Of liberty of conscience, and
feeling that said action must irretrievably
prevent our future work from partaknf
of the measure of true success it ha!
known in the sacrifice of the past year
desire peacefully to withdraw our mem
bership, and do now ask that letters o
dismissal be issued to us at the close o
the present year-Sunday, July 81, 1898
Annie Williamson, Minnie Hickman, Eff
sseribner, Edna Ratliff. virgie Ratliff
Pedigo, Mrs. Louisa Pedlgo, Mrs. Con
stantine, Lulu Constantine, Mrs. R. B
Allen Mrs. Juanita Grifith. Mrs. G. W
Wheeler, Robert Wheeler, Juanita Wheel
er, Wilbur Rea, Louisa McDougal, Mrs
James McDougall, Mrs Herman Hankel
Anita GARLIC Benicia Carrillo, E. M
Brown, Mrs. E. NJ. Brown, Lawrence
D. .Wadsworth, Lydia Gore, Mrs. ]. Pur
cell, Flora Ford, Bveline Ford, Emma
Ford, Robert Eveleth, Mrs. ]. A Eveeth
Miss Ricklif, Katie McElany, Elsie Nc
Mrs; B, England, Ethel England, Mrs
VIII England, Mary Belle England
Basha e. Thompson, Carrie z. Gall, w
A. Maggie. Mrs. John NJ. Laughlin, z
F. Hall, Mrs. ]. w. Hall, Mrs. Louisa A
Cook, Daisy E; Cook Minnie Reeder. Mrs
Mary E. Reeder, Jidana Davidson, Bes
sic Rogers, Mrs Harry E. Hubert, Mar
W Hubert, F. L. Eels, Mrs. Laur
erty, Mrs. Caroline Prayer, Mrs. A. J
Pool. Mrs. E. ]. Geiger, Mrs. A Near
Mrs. Nora Near, Lena Hudson, Eva Den
mis-, Mrs. M Armstrong, ]. Myrtle Sci
wage, Mrs. Abbie S. Sewage, Mrs. Rober
Ross. Mrs. ]. A. Evelette, Jennie Ross
Louise Ross, Mrs. Cynthia Toney, Mrs
Lottie Adams, Mrs. e. NJ. Dearborn, Mrs
J. G. Woodward, Mrs. J. E Montgomery
Mrs. Florence Cromwell, Pearl Cromwell
Ella Cozad. John Cozad, Mrs. Frank Nc
Gregor, Mrs. Adelia A Novel;. Mrs. Lot
tie Ogan, Pearl Ogan, Ansel Hurlbert
Mrs. Ansel Hurlbert, Mrs. d. w. Kidt
Mrs NJ. Kline Lena Kline, Mrs. S. [
Brown. Emma NOVEL;, Ivan Heckma
and Hettie Morse.
Since the publication Of the new
that Mr.. Hudson had failed to receiv
a call on account of his advanced view.
as published in The Call Of several day
ago, that gentleman has received man
letters from prominent personages com
mandatory of his stand. 1t is general