New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-11

nav. rendered Il imperatively necessary thar
there shall be some radical changes sno se"sio'
strengthening. a.. At. .,ty
has Presbyterianism been so unrestful ana per
turbed as II Is at the present moment lh'ein nc,
variances have depleted the congresauoms az, ~
consequently the wherewitbai OF existence IN
many OF the churches Of this sect In New-1orh.
Moreover, the constantly increasing fnigration
uptown has left the churches whicn remain 1 >, ~
the lower portions of the city with saoiy al.
nnfnished financial resources. The majority OF
them in fact find II a hard struggle 20 holu OIL
and IL is no secret that NUMBER OF .heil "le
isboring under monetary oimeu'ues Oh n'o'e "
less degree.
CASE or THE THIRTEENTH STREET CHURCH
1t was this state of affairs which led 10 the
Fourth Avenue Church inviting the Thirteen'h
street Church TO Join with 1t, as is we'll known.
A part of the latter congregation. however. are
violently opposed to the idea. and as the Pres
bvterv has sided with them, the project Will
probably fall through. Should that happen,
there is every likelihood that negotiations VIII
be begun for the bringing together OF the SPIips
street Church and the Thirteenth street ChuIcn.
Roth are in the same neighberhood, iact
which would obviate the objection OF mem 1er , .
OF the Thirteenth-st. congregation TO their chli
dren crossing the trolley lines of Slxth-aVe' anu
Broadway in order 20 reach Fourth-ave.
Since the Pew. Or. A. w. Halsey retired, .iie
Spring-st church has been without pas'ot'
and 1t is understood that its members are "a
voraby disposed to the suggestion OF uiii'i"S
with the Thirteenth-st congregation
IMPORTANT CONSOLIDATION URGED
But a consolidation Of much wider scope and
more important possibilities that is oeihs
quietly urged by influential Presbyterians is
the combining of the Madison Square Chureh'
OF which DIR. Parkhurst is pastor; the brlSk
Church which DR.. Van Dyke VIII leaVe IA .iie
near future TO take up the prolessors!,p ne nna
accepted at Princeton, and the Fourth Avenue
.. Church. 49, .,uo,,os
The properties upon which these ehurches
stand. ii Is pointed out are extremely n",jd
and could be sold for sum that would PROVIDE
for the building of great central PrespyI ellan
church, and support branches IN various Pei PEI
of the city, such as Trinity Church is enaoi ..
d 10 maintain with the rich funds II mas III i'S
The establishment of a great church move
naent OF this character is being urseu py pioiIii
nent Presbyterans. for the reason, as they as
sert that ii would tend not only 10 lessen .ne
financial strain of the other downtown churches'
but would give Presbyterianism the strens5 S
and impetus which IL is agreed IL H"" S
II is undoubted that Presbyterians are look
ing forward to this development, put II Is no.
thought that any more Will be MADE 10 carry
the plan TO perfection If there should be any
insstence to make DR.. Parkhurst the MN
lister. 1t is the OPINION Oh me- r,nsN Parhnrst's
methods are somewhat impractioable ana uh-
fitted for so important work as the ministry
OF the proposed combined church- lhey are
like Anthony Comstock, employs III the elloIts 10
prove that crime and vice exist In the city lhey
are not believers in the idea that the END always
justfes the means. ,
. But that q consolidation Of the three churches
will come about some time perhaps IN snort
time is beyond question. Work has already
been begun TO that end. and it is only matter or
certain conditions as TO how long 1t will be be-
fore II Is pushed TO completion.
IL is equally certain that In time the Metro
politan Life Insurance Company VIII succeed IN
purchasing the Madison Square Church. 1t now
owns the whole side of the block in twenty
thjrd-st from the Academy of Design TO Madl-
son SQUARE and when the lease OF the Lyceum
Theatre runs out il Will also acquire that site.
The companys aim is TO secure the whole block.
and IL As generally agreed that II is only ques-
ton OF a little patience 10 realize its purpose
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED
At an adjourned meeting Of the New-York
Presbytery held in the chapel Of the Old First
Church yesterday afternoon, committee was
sppointed to confer with the members of the
Thirteenth Street Presbyterian Church in re-
gard 10 the consolidation with the Fourth
Avenue Church. The committee will consist or
the Rev DIR. George Alexander the Rev: stew
art Dodge the Rev A w. Halsey ana A. +:
Ketcham. William Stoiger and u. j. Cleveland
Cady. -,
A resolution was adopted authorizing the
consolidation of the Iron" Church and the
Church Of the Redeemer. ~