New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-05
DIR. KERR,S RESIGNATION.
PASTOR OF THE FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH FORCED TO LEAVE 1T.


Strenuous efforts were made yesterday by the Off
cia members OF the Fourth Presbyterian Church.
ut Ninety-hrst-st and Vest End-avc. TO keep from
public knowledge the real causes which led the
Rev. DIR. joseph r. Kerr pastor OF the church. to
ask the members Of the congregation to join him
in going before the Presbytery next Monday and
asking that the pastoral relations between himself
and them be dissolved. Such an appeal. under the
laws Of the Presbyterian Church, is tantamoun 10
a resignation
But while the trustees Of the church oath
TO do so they had alternative but to admit yes
terday that the abrupt of Or. Kerr's pas
toraI relations with the church after a ministry OF
tweniy-hree years was due 10 the fact that he was
found by committee of the congregation in a
Broadway hotel In company with woman
under such conditions to seriously COM
promise him. The facts underlying DR. Kerr !
resignation show that he first came into opposi-
ton with Il great many Of mis- congregation a few
years ago when with great insistence he urged
the removal Of the church from its old site in
West Thirty -fourth-st TO It's present situation
Further dissatisfaction engendered for the
reason, it IS asserted, that Or. Kerr had ex-
travagant ideas regarding the construction Of the
new building. But the final rupture between the
pastor and his congregation began about six
months ago. when some of the trustees. from
Information which came to their Knowledge in
cned to the belief that DR.. Kerr not putting
into example the precepts which he preached from
the pulpit. Eventually the committee placed DR..
Kerr under espionage. and after several weeks
watching the detectives who employed In
formed the church members on November that
they would be ready upon that same night TO
supply the evidence which sought regarding
The pastor.
Upon that night three of the church trustees AMI
one elder met the detectives and were guided 10 a
Broadway Hot,. They We're conducted to the
third noor Of the hotel. They could gain no re-
room pointed out to them until servant OF the
hotel their assistance and by shouting that
the gas In the room was leaking succeeded in in
duclng the occupant OF the room to open the door.
Or Kerr it is related, was the man who opened
the door. and the committee. as a result of what
they saw. Informed the doctor that IT impos-
slblc that he remain any longer the pastor Of the
Dr. Kerr is said to have pleaded for cemeney.
nc ' w6 n ma5 n ,b ho ncfoTI
herr announced IN church a week ago yesterday
that he intended - resign.
Members OF the congregation who attended tho
sunday school yesterday afternoon declined dis
trustees were refused while Henry Cole Smitn.
on Of the official members II the congregation.
marked: This Is purely a family affair, which We
can deal with ourselves.
Only hfeen people attended the evening service in
the church 1t which the Rev DR. Moment. of
BROOKLYN. otiici"-ed, as he had done also at the
was pointed out to Tribune reporter being a
trustee. In response to Inquiries, this man adj
Kerr were true but he refused 70 give his name
in order az he said. that he should not he quoted.
porntendent Of Elections. Is trustee of the
church, and one Of the COMMISSIONER appointed to
appear before the Presbytery next Monday But
beyond ntmating that the accusations ag Inst DR..
Kerr were well founded. he would So nothing,
president Of the trustees was eaueliIy non-com;
remark: THE woman In the case is unmarried
girl who WORKS IN broadway store
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