The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-20
The Jews, the Presbyteriams and the
bible.

The Rev. Dr. CHAMBERS has resigned as
the pastor of the Calvary Presbyterian
Church in 10th street, between Fifth and
Lenox avenues, for the reason that after
seventeen years Of service he has become
satisfied that 1t is impracticable to main
tain Presbyterian church in that neigh
borhood. 1t s probable also that the church
will disband and its property be sold.
The cause Of the trouble Is both general
and special Prcsbyterianism has suffered
severely In New York since the Briggs con-
troversy and very much Of the old vitality
has gone out of Presbyterian churches
which once were vigorous and powerful.
The special reason is that the Calvary
Church Is situated in a neighborhood where
Jews predominant. lone cannot build up
Presbyterian church in Jewish commr-
nifty explains DR.. CHAMBERS. and he
quotes Jewish rabbi as saying to him.
Your people are not here; mine are"
The Jews, he says, ARE in full possession
Of Madison avenue and the cross streets
from 112th to 117th street" Already
this Semitic control Of the neighborhood
has compelled the Pilgrim Congregational
Church, at the corner OF Madison avenue
and 12l st street to sell out to the Jews.
Another district Of the town where the
Jews now preponderate greatly Is on the
east side below Houston street, and they
are 80 numerous there that they mobbed
the party Of a Christian missionary who
undertook to conduct street services in the
neighborhood last Sunday. They were in
censed especially because converted jew
was among the evangelists, and the bit
terness OF their feeling was expressed
in distinctly rOtous conduct. This Is
turning the tables with n vengeance
and undoubtedly it will furnish further
food for the Semitic discussion now 60
ing on in THE sun The conduct OF these
east side Jews indicates that they resent
all efforts to ChristianIze them as an insult.
Further uptown. in the region from which
DIR. CHAMBERS retircs, Jewish sentiment
simply exerts quietly the pressure Of its
majority, so that Christian churches are
compelled to abandon the neighborhood
because Of inability to get sufficient support
for their worship.
1t Is very remarkable special situation,
but the general condition Of Presbyterian
ism in New York Is also indicated as extraor-
binary by DR.. CHAMBERS when he con-
firms the truth OF remark made to him by
IAN intelligent and obsprvant woman"
that mo man should accept an ordinary
Presbyterian church in this city unless he
is man Of Independent fortune The in
ference Is that no ordinary Presbyterian
church" here is now strong enough to sup
port u pastor, and he must be able to sup
port himself.
This is an astonishing change since the
days when the wealth OF New York was
gathered largely in the Presbyterian
churches and their pulpts were the high
est prizes offered to the ability, pety and
eloQuence Of the Presbyterian ministry Of
the whole Union. even Of the whole world.
But that was before the Briggs and Nc
Giffert controversies, and when all Presby-
terians believed in the Bible and their theo-
logical seminaries were not employed in
criticsng the Scriptures as fallible and
Oftentimes an incredible human produce
tinn