New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-08
TWO DEACONS MAY RETIRE
ANOTHER PHASE OF THE TROUBLE IN
DIR. HALLS CHURCH.
THE SIX TRUSTEES WHO RESIGNED NOT To
STAND FOR RE ELECTION - DIFFERENT
VIEWS AS TO THE PART PLAYED By
THE wARszAwIAK CASE IN
THE DIssENsIoN.

Although not all Of the six trustees OF the Fifth
Avenue Presbyterian Church who have resigned
nre opposed TO the indefinite continuance OF the
Rev DR. Halls pastorate 1t is understood that
lone Of them will allow his name to be brought
forward for reelection on February H. Whi'e
mos, ~ the trustees were not personally anxious
n resign the repudiation OF the Sessions action by
tho congregation was taken by the six trustees a.
displaylng a want OF confidence IN the onicers OF
the church and they decided to give the congrega-
ton the opportunity to select officers In whom inc
members would nave unqualified trust. u u
known also that the congregation Is dcsirous that
harmony be restored In the church. ana TO that
end efforts will be made TO nominate men LOT 'he
vacancies whose unanimous election Will De as
sured. Consequently. in tho face OF the certainty
It is said that there are many members OF tho
church who would vote against the retention OF
any Of the retiring officers. matter how inendiy
they may be known TO be toward DR. Hall, an en-
tirely new set OF candidates will be presented Tor
the consideration Of the meeting. IL WAS du'ho'i-
tativey asccrtaned yesterday that neither foroe'
nor James o Sheldon the remaining members OF
the Board will resign. Both have been consist
emily opposed to Dr. Halls vacatiug his pulpit
and. as they therefore in full accord with the
congregation. they will continue in office.
RIAfoR ABOUT OTHER OFFICERS
1t was rurnored yesterday that. following tho ac-
ton taken by the dissatisfied members OF the Ses-
sion and OF the Board OF Trustees, the deacons OF
the church had either handed I'm their designations
or the point OF doing so. The deacons are
William Irwin. James \. Frame william sioahe
and Samuel s. Auchncloss. Two. at least, OF THIS
body will not give ND their places. william Irwin.
when yesterday at his office No -JS na"a fo,
way said: You say for me that am 'lot Ss
cons Will do l have no KNOWLEDGE. MI Nj, A giaane
Gloss was out Of town yesterday, ahp ~ ,,o,nt
fS Sa , bo' 9f Viii follow the example OF John
"a
session members silas T. Brownell and Colonel
j. j. McCook. who are spoken OF as likely TO with
draw. have not yet made known the STAND they H.
MIR Brownell refused to discuss the church mat
tiers in any way yesterday. and Colonel aleC9o ~, IN
reply TO note sent to MIN IN ne our n,urrncS the
message that he had nothing 10 say ,.,a -, ,,o
Several other members Of The Session ana OF n tns
they adhered to the policy they decned upon on az
Of the members Who requested that his name
should not be used denied that tho Warszawiak
Dr. Han; he said, Sfrequently said he would
retire when he c2ncluded thirty years Of serge
vember last. ana saw that the strain Of the
WCrR ad VISA o gy1g away to younger NAM
We made what thought were liberal provisions
for him which included a saary OF $500 year
for life which was 20 be secured BY lien on the
church property. He was told that he might spend
his time as he pleased. might preach when he
chosc-in fact. his time was 10 be his own abso-
Iutely When ne did resign there WAS the best OF
his resignation It was due 70 the dignity Of those
men upon the Session ana Board OF Trustees, who
had taken prominent part in the negotiations
with DR. Hall that they yacate their official po-
sitons. Most q them, however, Will continue 10
worship a. the church"
VIEW OF ANOTHER MEMBER
Despite the denial made In the course Of this IN
tervlew that the Warszawiak had not led 70
the existing differences. another OF the congregation
whose standing In the church is Of the highest and
who has the fullest knowledge Of all the phases
Of the church situation. said: The Tribune report
this morning is accurate In every respect. In
doubtedly the Warszawak affair preclpitated mat
ters OF course, I don't TO say that the
congregation as body favor Warszawiak. but
the personal anlmosity which DR.. Halls stand had
church 10 bring about his retirement All this
talk about decreasing income and diminishing mem
bershp is not well founded, and has been brought
forward merely as a side issue To-day the
church Is wholly free from debt. Notwithstanding
the fact that during the building OF the edifce
money frequently had 10 he borrowed. Moreover.
the church owns property worth oyer 81 10000. The
missionary contributions have fallen Off but this
fact is explained in the death during the last few
years OF some wealthy people who individually
thousands OK dollars every year the mis- |
sions. DO not think there viii be many OBJECTIONS
OF families"
Upon the day following the meeting OF the con- |
gregatiop when D. Hall was asked to withdraw |
his resignation The Tribune stated that he would |
undoubtedly acquiesce in the wishes OF his flock |
but that he would just surely retire In Novem-
Der. 1899. when he would have completed half |
century IN the service OF the Presbyterian Church
This statement was published upon the authority |
OF man who is in Dr. Halls confidence The |
Tribunes informant was seen again yesterday, and
he stated again that he had every reason to know
that DR. Hall. when the time mentioned had ar |
rived, would ask 10 be relieved from further SER
vice.