New-York tribune., 1899-12-18
COLONEL HAGUES MESSAGE
WOULD HAVE PLUNGED PLYMOUTH
CHURCH INTO A DISCUSSION.
1T REQUESTED ENGLISH CHURCHES TO JOIN IN
MOVEMENT TO SECURE MEDIATION IN
SOUTH AFRICA-HEADED oFF BY DIR.
HILLS AND 6. V. WHITE.

MOVEMENT TO SECURE MEDIATION IN
SOUTH AFRIcA-HBADED OFF BY DIR.
HILLS AND 6. V. WHITE.
Plymouth Church had a narrow escape yesterday
from being plunged into a controversy over the
war between Great Britain and the Beers. Those
who familiar with the frank and outspoken
disposition OF many Of the members OF Plymouth
Church know that had the subject been broached
before the church protracted and possibly heated
discussion would have followed
Colonel Thomas o. Hague. who was the defeated
Democratic candidate for the Assembly In the Ist
District Of Brooklyn at the last election, for many
years a member Of Plymouth Church, went to the
church yesterday morning with communication
which he intended should be sent by Plymouth TO
three Congregational churches In England. This
message expressed the sympathy Of Plymouth
Church with the bereaved families In England on
account OF the reverses which have attended the
British IN South Africa. and pledged the
Brooklyn church TO cooperate with the English
congregations in effort TO end the war. The
three churches to which the message was to be
cent the City Temple Church in London. the
City Queen Church in Woverhampton and Con-
gregational church In Liverpool. The message was
as follows:
Greeting: Plymouth Church. Brooklyn tenders
reaved families OF England and will cooperate IN
any movement Of Congregational Church action 10
Colonel Hague went to Plymouth Church yester-
day morning with the message In his pocket ana
firmly settled in his intention 10 propose It's adoption
after the church service Before the service Colonel
Hague met s. V. White in the church parlors and
mentioned what he intended TO do warm dis
cussion ct once ensued and after Colonel Hague
had made few remarks the communication was
suppressed.
There were number OF the church members in
rio IN ina md
an exciting scene. although only Colonel Hague
Mr. White and Dr. Newell Dwight Hills took part
In the affair.
This is not the time to present anything Ike
that" said Mr.. White. after he had digested the
contents Of the message you ought 10 give notice
beforehand II you intend to present anything OF
this nature"
well I'm going to present It anyway" replied
Colonel Hague
well. you wouldn't get corporal's guard to
vote for IT," declared Mr. White. 1T would be
impossible to get such thing adopted It's not
a proper subject for US to discuss"
81 don't why not" spoke up Colonel Hague
plymouth Church took similar action in the case
o: the Venezuelan dispute
"Wen. that was carried unanimously It was a
proper thing to do" replied Mr.. White plymouth
Church called upon the churches in Great Britain
to affiliate with her in attempt to prevent hos
tilries between this country and England. ut
ut would be impossible to get any one IN ; Hlyh,
sound like censure. The men who stood as oul-
wark I'm the interests OF this country niue more
than year ago the same men VINO are Bulqhs
Great Britain in her present crisis. Salisbury was
Premier then. he Is Premier now; England was the
nation which in our affair with Spain did more
than any other to prevent the other Powers from
forming alliance against us ,,,,,-
At this point in the discussion DIR. Hills came
into the room He had hardly taken on his nat ana
coat before Colonel Hague bahled In ms encounter
the message into his hands. appealing 70 him 10
say that II n proper thing TO bring before the
church DR. Hills read the message caretuHy'
handed II back, and said: .,,
''It does not seem me, Colonel Hague, that thls
Is a proper thing to bring up before this church
hope you will not undertake TO present 1t,
Or Hills then passed out into the church care
fully avoiding being drawn into the discussion
Colonel Hague then apparently lost his temper ana
according to some Of those present, sald
"rhis church is run by lot OF little lawyers ana
others and ! going to get out . , ,,
When seen later he spoke bitterly Of present condl-
tions in Plymouth Church. He declared, however,
that he had reconsidered his intention to withdraw
from the church.