The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-13
Council Held at the Plym
Outh Church.
DECISION ARRIVED AT.
Church Urged 10 Acc.de II Pastor
Deems II Best to Go.
CALL TO SPRINGFIELD CHURCH.

A short time ago Rev. S. II. Wood
row, pastor of the Plymouth Congrega-
tional Church of this city, received a
call from the Hope Congregational
Church of Springfield. Mass. and after
considering the matter he decided to
accept it, and rendered his resignation,
to take effect on September 1 next, to
the Plymouth Church. At a meeting of
the church, held on the evening OF July
S, the resignation was not accepted, the
entire number of persons present, 155,
so voting.
Gil to consider the matter, and this
council was held at the Plymouth
Church at 8 o'clock yesterday after
noon. The council was composed as
follows: Providence, Beneficent Church.
Rev. James G. vose. William III. Scott;
Richmond Street, Rev. John II. Larry,
Matthew McNair; Union, George A.
Jepherson; Pilgrim, Rev. w. Pullan,
Howard Preston; Highland, Rev. l.. s.
Woodwork, Edward b. Perry; Central,
Rev. William T. Holmes, James c. KIM
ball; Academy Avenue. Rev. Willis II.
Smedley; Elmwood Temple, George
Hammond; Pawtucket, Park Place. f.
ID. Morse, j. II. Trafton; Pawtucket
Congregational, James G.. Case; Wee
den Street, Rev. George j. Bloomfield;
Central Falls, Rev. James II. Lyon,
Hon. Nathan w. Littlefeld. There were
also present w. r. Wright and Prof.
z. w. Kemp. representing Hope Church
of Springfield.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL.
Rev. James @. vose was elected mod
orator and Rev. q. j. Bloomfield scribe.
After the call was read Mr.. l.. III.
Campbell, clerk of the Plymouth
Church, read the several papers In the
case, together with Mr.. Woodrow's let
ter of resignation. Remarks were then
made by Mr.. Campbell. Rev. C.. III.
Whitlesby, j. w. Hutchinson, Omar G.
Peterson and Mrs. Whitlesby, all tend
ing to show that the opportunity to do
good work was as great at Plymouth
Church as in any other locality, and
for this reason 1t was hoped Mr.. Wood
row, who was greatly beloved, would
remain.
Mr.. woodrow stated ne had carefully
considered the matter. and he consider
ed IL the call OF God that he should ac-
cept the Springfield call.
Prof. Kemp OF Springfield said that
the call had been extended to Mr.
Woodrow without any encouragement
from that gentleman. Hope Church be-
lieved that God had directed them, and
the vote in favor of Mr.. Woodrow was
unanimous. He believed that there
would be a greater field of usefulness
for Mr.. Woodrow IL he went to SPRING
field.
eto~ .o,,,o <,,rthar taIL iv which Mr.
Woodrow said that he saw no prospect
for at least five or ten years for any
enlargement of Plymouth Church, the
council, on motion Of Rev. Mr.. Lyon,
went into executive session. This last
ed for about an hour and a half. and
finally a special committee. consisting
OF Rev. John III. Larry. chairman; Rev.
Mr.. Pullan, Rev. Mr.. Woodworth. ]. r.
Trafton and N. w. Lttleheld, was ap-
pointed to draw up the result,
DECISION OF THE COUNCIL.
At $3.50 o'clock the public session was
resumed, and on invitation of Modera-
tor vose the following decision OF the
council was read by Mr.. Larry:
The council, having carefully and
prayerfully considered the matter
brought before II by the letter missive
of the Plymouth Congregational
Church, in view OF all the facts, the
council deems the withdrawal of
Brother Woodrow from the pastorate of
Plymouth a real detriment TO the inter-
ests of the kingdom of Christ and we
heartily sympathize with the church in
it's unanimous refusal to accept his
resignation. We would advise his fur
ther consideration. II II be possible, be-
fore reaching a decision. IL, however,
after such further consideration, he still
deems IL to be the will OF God to depart,
we counsel the church TO accede TO his
wish, and that the pastoral relation be
considered solved without further ac-
tion by council.
Prayer and benedlction was then pro-
nounced by Rev. Mr.. Pullan, and the
council was declared adjourned.
The result really means that Mr..
Woodrow Will 60 TO the Springfield
church as soon as the time mentioned
I'm his letter of resignation has expired.
and this rs thoroughly understood by