New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-26
DIR. CHAMBERS'S RESIGNATION.
HIS WORK HAMPERED BY LOCALITY ANI
THE CONTROVERSIES IN THE PRES
BYTERIAN CHURCH.

BYTERIAN CHURCH.
When the Rev. DR. James Chambers. Of Cab
varY Presbyterian Church in West one-hundred-
nd-sixteenth-st told his congregation yesterday
morning why he had decided to dissolve his reIa-
lions with them they listened quietly and atten-
lively, but apparently with the same interest they
wodld TO ordinary sermon. After the services
were over they did not stop 10 talk the matter
over. but slowly filed OF the church. DIR. Cham
bers remained in the pulpit and watched them dis
appear. No came forward 10 discuss the mat
ter further with him.
DR.. Chambers resigned last Sunday. as the result
OF little dssenslon and misunderstanding
with OF his people and than a little
absence OF church prosperity. For several years
the church has been going backward until to-day
II is said that It must either give up its existence
seek field The present church was built
In 1890 against the protest Of the pastor and num-
Der OF members. who believed that the district was
not a good field for Presbyterian church. Time
has seemed to Justify the wisdom OF this argument
Recently the burden has been great, according
TO the pastor. that he could no longer sustain H.
DR.. Chambers had announced that he would tell
his reasons for resgniRg and I'm consequence the
gathering in the church yesterday morning was UNI
usually large His statements were not in any way
sensational or surprising He took his text from
Judges vi. IS: "oh. my Lord. II the Lord be with
us. why. then. IL all this befaen u.s. He said
that Presbyterianism on the verge Of a serious
question in the city OF NewYork-the church was
beginning 10 be looked at In the light Of paying
investment The paying church was getting more
popular than the praying church. The people were
much inclined TO subordinate the real aim. In
order to provide for the districts that could not
support a church. he thought the Presbytery ought
10 raise fund of at least $500 900 10 endow parishes
He believed something ought TO be done TO elevate
the real purpose OF the Church and that the spirit
ua end should dictate its policy
We have gone through out experience here be-
cause there has not been sufficient constituency
20 maintain a Presbyterian organization said Dr.
Chambers. The churches must go where the peo-
pie are and stay there and save the people. 1
stated that this locality Inhabited almost en-
tlrely by people of another want 10 say now
that a certain rabbi told me he could buy for his
people fifteen twenty churches II a satisfactory
price was arranged AT least five offers have been
made for this property. When We send mission
aries among the Jews must put up the money.
We cannot work among them any other way. That
is common sense, and sanctiled common sense 10
good religion.
In leaving We not abandoning Presbyterian
ism. but the unreasonng policy that amounts
almost TO cruelty. II is due TO you that should
say that during the entire period OF my pastorate
/ have never had addressed 10 me single unkind
or sharp word. We Will longer be formally as
ISOLATED but have the comforting assurances
that nothing is lost that Is done in God. There has
been no better congregation than this. The forces
have always been making for righteousness, vast
work has been accomplished a rigid economy has
been exercised and an intelligent view OF the work
taken. Your noble work is inscribed on more last
ing tablets than church records.
There Is another element that has had wide
influence in this church. The Presbyterian Church
has Always stood for liberty OF thought and investt-
CATION but this city has been storm centre OF con-
cpssions OF the Bible have had mighty influence
on the people. Their faith has been andermin ,S,
has been raised as to the very suostructure OK INC
faith This has ina sds n Abe a nave OF ss
endeavored to break the faith but when the churcn
is different. l had the honor to BE- al the General
Assembly when action was taken which. ! believe.
hamSss said 4 was with deep :sS regret re- tn:s
he owed his life to the fathfulness Of his people;
who watched him tendery when he suffered
The Calvary Church was formerly located in one
acknowledgements and later in one-hundred-
thsn Dr. chambers who has been with i,
teen years. The ground on which the church stands
s s6d t to sss e s vsue This money i &
will be devoted to missioner 6eed 70 OF s ,hs
a gift TO Dr. Chambers
Dr. James Chambers presided at last nights
to take action upon his resignation AFTER the clerk
men and others throughout the city, deporng, the
closing Of the church sse a ans sas OF It's
III is not for me report the formal resignation
acf on Il with the utmost freedom will venture to
ask Colonel keIehnm to taSe the S chair lame.
II Fitch offered the following resolution;
Resolved. That reluctantly concur with our
pastor in asking the Presbytery 10 relieve him
from the pastoral charge OF the Calvary Presoy.
july !. and. in view OF the fact that the Presby-
terry have determined to sell the church property
and have provided for meeting the indebtedness OF
the trustees OF the church up 10 that date we re-
quest the Presbytery 10 dissolve the congregation
known as the Calvary Presbyterian Church. the
date Of such dissolution concidng with the sale or
RI Resolved, That Colonel Ketchum Messrs. Crane
and Magee be appointed commissioners 10 COM
municate with the Presbytery the action OF this
meeting and express our behalf the Views OF
this congregation. -
Resolved That request the Presbytery to au-
thorze the Rev Or. Chambers 10 grant letters OF
discretion to the members OF our church To A. ID.
Crane clerk OF session. and alternate TO act In DR.:
Chamberss absence respectively as moderator ana
clerk
The resolution as read was unanimously adopted.
after which Dr. y. c. Magee offered resolution
expressing the regret OF the congregation at the
resignation OF Dr. Chambers.