New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-05
CHAMPIONS THE CAUSE OF DR.. EVAyS

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir Since a "Pew-Owner' gets a hearing in you.
columns. permit church memoer 10 be heard also
and allow another view OF the West Presbyterian
Church troubles 10 ne published
"Pew-Owners supercilioIs patronage Of Dr.
Evans and his statement that he does not attract
new attendants permanently" is curious consider
ing the fact that TO his influence and preaching me
West Church owes the addition OF l69 mem
bers. a number larger than that uniting with any
church in the city save one I'm the same length q
time. Since they are members-not 'prom'
nent' people possibly Pew Owner counts then
nothing. To unparalleled thinker their SOUS
might seem worth trife their working power u
the church might seem valuable and their aces
sion not indication Of failure on the pastors
part. II is true that the West Church has euhi
two churches. and Faith Church is now indes''
dent and prosperous II has been made so snS
Or Evans came here and the freehold and ince'
pendence given largely through his influence
and contrary TO the will OF at least one mllionah'
trustee. who had opposed such generous action ]"
the last few years
The generous gver OF the $50 co in year ns
may not be the who sent private advice "
the young pastor that he would receive mo''
money II he would resign and quietly Oe
talnly the suggestor OF that message learned wv
weakness OF money when the indignant ansSe
came: Am offered brhe7' II DR.. Evans
ne'tnef 'anle nor earnest 'uONGn 10 rrN"N
large giving from the means OF "Pew-Ow az.
his kind he able TO receive prompt promise "
help to cancel the church mortgage from nooeA%
wealthy church members soon Il WAS hhos
20 them that the famous financial difficulties Me1
cause his departure Had the financial proo's
been laid before the church and people they wOu'
have been prompt solve It. But. says ~.
owner" with sweet simplicity. that was mol
sired. FOR the financial question vas onH
"ostensibe reason" for asking the pastor 20 rese
In the name OF honor and honesty. OF comH''.
sense and religion why did they not state the g.
one? Can any one who knows Or Evans dou0'
reply to fair friendly and truthful represe"s ~,
that his work In the church was not success
n disappointmente ..r. re-
II is "A Christian method that "Pew-ownet ~
Veals. That DR. Evans did not or could nov .lss
that he failure H. not at all atoazn ~ ,rner-
OF the members added TO the churcn oi w ~ tht
attendance AT the midweek service, or me l.,xc<
f spirit there and perhaps also 81 tne w - nos
tho friendly encoura ging words OF elders Wn.sas
turn against him When ne proueieu ma VIII
ton first 10 the session how was II receINeu
urging 10 withdraw IL, with words OF appIe..r. q
for his labors with fearful eyes ana sri' ~ tr
the letter to Or. Stryker. as not intehoe" -
session. .u-,, =, ,ha par<r
the day after his resignation was given 20 ncs rs
pie and then ak "Pcw-Owner what lnhu,s" plct (
now turned friends TO foes. "Pew-ownets ~ -
Of Or. Styker as the tenaer sasy PASTE
rnav nlease the writer but hardly niiu .'per 1
in the eyes OF that honored gentleman my yelr 4
Owners closing sentence does there au' I'd pro-
threat or a pious pity The usefulness s xr,sr
nects'' Of pr Evans do not depend on tha'
decree else we might tremhle -, ,,rNpCR
New-York, April 3, 1899. ChOHOh