The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-05
REV. DR.. HALLS CHURCH
TROUBLES OF THE FIFTH-AVENUE
PRESBYTERIAN AND THEIR CAUSE.
Why the Famous New York Preacher
buttons Falling of Rapidly.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.


NEW YORK, Feb. 4.-Some people are de-
claring Presbyterianism a failure because
of the alleged failure of the F'ifth-avenue
Presbyterian Church in this city, the Rev.
Dr. John Hall, pastor. A look at local,
rather than general, causes is wisest under
such circumstances. During the past three
years the Presbytery of New York, the
Board of Home and the Board of Foreign
Missions called the attention of the session
and pastor of the church to certain local
conditions. These conditions the session and
pastor looked at. That which they saw was
the thing that led the Rev. DR.. Hall to say
he would resign. Now, in company with SEES
sion and pastor, let a calm view be taken
by the reader into those conditions.
In the year 1888 the Fifth-avenue Church
gave to the cause of home missions $52, 600.
In 1889 it gave to the same cause $44, 900; in
$780, $33 eco: in 1S9S SIS co., in 1897, $4,000 In
1883 the church gave to the cause of foreign
missions s2S 600; in 1889, $31, 600: in 1890, $685.
600; in 1893, $4,000, and in 1897, $4,000. Ten
years ago it was giving to the cause of etu-
cation III the church at least $1,000 year.
Last year it gave $500, the smallest amount
in it's history. The figures for ten and
twelve years back were not exceptional. AS
long ago as 1880 it gave to home missions
$32, 600, or nearly three times what it did
last year, and in 1879 TO foreign missions
$4,000, or more than four times what it
gave to the same cause last year. Further
more. its expenditures on it's own mainte-
nance have been steadily declining. AS an
instance let it be noted that in 1895 it spent
for congregational purposes $4,000, and in
1887 $36, O00. Nor was this all. During some
of the years when most was given to out
side causes, and when nearly twice as
much was expended for congregational pur-
poses there was even then an annual sur
plus. This surplus soon amounted to 500 900,
and with that money there was erected the
splendid parsonage at No. 712 Fifth avenue,
in which DIR. Hall lives.
Nor is this ALL either When the present
church was built many families gave, i'm add
dition to contributions to the general build
ing fund, from $1,000 to 5000 each for pews
These pews they owned. but there was, Of
course, annual dues upon them. Note this
fact: Within year. pews for which So 600
was paid, have been unable to find buyers
at beggarly S.. And again: In 1898 the
membership OF the church was 2,544 and the
baptisns numbered twenty. Las, year, with
a like membership. they numbered nineteen.
THESE are the figures that the session and
the pastor looked at. These and no: any
feeling between session and pastor are what
led DR. Hall TO say he would send his res
ignation To the presbytery. The session was
not certain that the retirement of DR.. Hall
was the remedy. Neither was Or. Hall GER
tain that il was Both gave the matter care
ful consideration. and both came to the con-
clCsion that II was. and that conclusion
reached without any unseemly conten-
ton, but with the most sincere desire on
the part of all to do the best thing for the
Fifth-avenue Church and for Presbyterian
ism. Resolutions submitted 10 the first con-
gregati0nal meeting the one that over
wheimingly asked Dr. hall 10 remain pas
tor. We're submitted 10 DR.. Hall before they