The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-16
PLYMOUTH ALLWORKED UP.
GREAT EFFORTS ON roof TO RE
TAIN DIR. LYMAN IBBOTT.

Younger Members Meet and Declare THAI
" the Veteran Pastor Goes IL Will
End the Usefulness of tho Church
Would supply Another Associate Pastor
Between forty and fifty members OF Plymouth
Church. representing the younger element in
the congregation. met last night In the church
parlor. in response to a call. issued a few days
ago. for the purpose Of discussing the
advisabllity OF making a further effort to
persuade tho Rev. DR.. Lyman Abbott TO
withdraw his resignation as pastor. Al
though the projectors OF the meeting wished IL
10 be understood that there was no intention
10 encroach in any way on the functions Of the
Advisory Committee. to which the whole mat
ter had been referred. some OF the younger
members OF the congregation are OF the opin.
Ion that tho committee had shown too much
readiness in adopting tho theory that nothing
could be done to induce DR.. Abbott to continue
In the passionate.
Henry Sanger Snow. who presided. invited "A
full and free discussion Of the whole matter.
Darwin ]. Meserole spoke OF the intense love
which DR.. Abbott had inspired In the young
men of the flock. and expressed n strong hope
that expression OF their views might still be-
fruitful In bringing about the result. which
every member Of the church, young and old. so
ar1ently desired. He thought that II DR.. Abbott
were relieved OF some OF his numerous cares as
pastor a way might be found out Of the diff
Guilty.
Former Senator Stephen M. Griswold said:
Il have no doubt that DR.. Abbott carefully
weighed this matter before he presented his
resignation, and l doubt II he can be prevailed
upon to change his purpose. 1t is a misfortune
and a calamity for Plymouth Church. While a
mission field will still remain for us. I believe
that the power and influence OF the church will
end when he goes. No man but DR.. Alb
bolt could have come here in the crisis
In which he did and have carried on the
work as he has done. ! would suggest
that we should offer to obtain another associate
pastor to relieve DIR. Abbott Of all detailed work
OF plymouth Church and only ask him to
preach a sermon on Sunday mornings. II
necessary we might raise the additional money
REQUIRED by voluntary contributions and | now
offer to give 5000 myself for that purpose. We
should 10 everything in our power to have DR..
Abbott remain"
DR.. Edward Everett Cady supported Mr..
views. and also offered to contribute
500 toward the payment OF a second associate
pastor. /
In the subsequent discussion several of the
sneakers cOntended that there was no danger |
such as Mr.. GriswoId had foreshadowed i'm
pending over the church. but that its work was
sure to go on unimpaircd.
A set Of resolutions was finally presented by
the sentiments Of th" meetino Thevv nonysgvyn5
to Or, Abbott the warm love. esteem and re-
gard of the younger members OF the cOngre-
their decp regret over his resignation,
and the hope that some way might be found to
have him remain.
Then followed this:
- RpsOirei, That n committee OF 1--WE be ap-
pointed to convey to DR.. Abbott this expression
o. our afectionatr regard and to take such ac-
in conference witt the Advisory Committee
OF the church As shall seem wise to carry these
resolutions into effect"
This committee, to which the Chairman was
added. was then appointed: Robert Van Ider-
atine. Darwin j.. Mcserole. Fl. W. y. Howard,
DR.. l.. E.. Cady and Truman J. Temple.
A veteran member of the church, who was
present at the meeting but took no part in the
DISCUSSION, remarked at the close to a reporter
The Sun: Mr.. Griswold stated the exact
Plymouth Church has indeed reached
he most serious crisis in its history. | fear
hat when Or. Abbott goes, the organization
gradually fall to pieces and it will
ultimately. probably within a period OF two
'r three years, he deemed the wisest. course
2 sell this nroperty. and move out to
he Park slope, the Bedford district or some of
he other growing sections OF the city. The
plymouth missions downtown will probably
'lways be maintained. but without "A great per-
like DIR. Ahbottis in the pulpit it will.
ear. be found an impossible task to continue
he old church In this district"
The members of the Advisory Committee all
that DR.. Abbott's determination to give up
lis pastoral work cannot be shaken.