New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-05
cu1-RCHEs TO AMALGAMATE
,rrrvTH STREET AND FOURTH
.rrvr-E PRESBYTERIAN ORGAN
1zAT1oNs WILL UNITE
-,r FORMER ACCEPTS THE INVITATION OF
AFTER. AFTER a STORMY MEET
ING WHICH LASTS TILL EARLY
THIS MORNING.

THIS MORNING.
-, animated meeting lasting until after /
a. 1t morning the congregation OF the Thir-
CO. s,raot Presbyterian Church decided by a
=, ,ss 10 i37 20 amalgamate with the Fourth
W.. PRESBYTERIAN Church. The lecture-room In
49, ,be meeting was held was filled to the utmost
Nn - even its standing room. From the outset
e"os apparent that the proposal to join the
~ Avenue Church had led TO the splitting Of
a,,-ogation into two bitter factions. and II
~" s,e ~ the frmness and energy Of the pastor.
pov Or w r. Buchanan who acted as mod
- that the proceedings were kept within the
,ss Of propriety. Although DR.. buchanan In
-ne ~ his rulings made 1t obvious that he was IN
81 ~ accepting the invitation OF the Fourth Ave
20 church. the viror with which he stihed any
-ss,cv toward the display OF feeling kept the
..,,,r IN a comparatively orderly path.
-, various routine matters had been disposed
80 Moderator introduced the question OF consoli-
s.,or by remarking that a committee from the
~,-,b Avenue Church was in waiting and ne
,rgssted that a motion should be made that they
800 he heard motion to this effect was duly
.ossd and was declared carried by the Mod
80 although there were some EXPLANATIONS OF
-, ~ his ruling However the committee from
~ Fourth Avenue Church were sent for and IN
- nv the Moderator that II the wish OF
~. meeting that they should be heard in con-
.,u,ive order William l. Stonebridge. however,
,r.t they should state their mission and withdraw.
ny Buchanan. amidst some kissing. declared Mr..
s,c,ebrdge out OF order for the reason that the
ro,lon said the committee should be heard.
when George Sterry rose TO respond to the IN
,,.,,on OF the Moderator 10 address the meeting.
several Kisses heard in the hall. mingled with
some applause
The problem which has confronted us" Mr..
gerry began. and which appears 10 be somewhat
sor.d By the plan have adopted. and which
:. hooe will be acceptable and pleasing 10 you-the
,,,blen We have undertaken to solve is that old
r,ohlsn OF how we can make q solid church in
lover New-York Those Of you who have lived In
thls city as long as have will
NJ serry was just beginning TO warm UP 10 his
suhec; when he interrupted by W. c. Smith.
& member opposed TO consideration. who said: II
,hese gentlemen have a proposition to make think
Il should be submitted in writing, because ! don't
mink # IS proper that should be compelled to
hear ar Grafton evidently prepared sway the
votes Of
q mus, RUE you out Of order" exclaimed the
Moderator in an expostulating tone OF voice Your
AZ il one which l would scarcely have thought
vosslbe on this floor That coming from
s,o,her church should be treated discourteously is
amentable
Nr Smith persisted in his objection but after
,r3er,ne the objection % be recorded Dr. Buchanan
asked Nj sterry proceed. Mr.. sterrry did so,
snd URGED that the plan proposed by the Fourth
Avenue Church would result in the esta blishment
q, fully endowed church which would insure
large Presbyterian church in the lower part o. the
city for generations.
" = Prentice another member Of the commit
tee outlined the plan which u was proposed TO
stop; This provided that II the consolidation was
e5raed upon the members OF the Thirteenth street
Church should have satisfactory representation
UPON all the boards Of The consolidated church,
that cali IN a regular manner should be extended
10 Dr. Buchanan 10 the pasiorate OF the combined
church that the members Of the Thirteenth Street
Church should take their letters 10 the Fourth
Avenue Church, and that "the Thirteenth Street
Church take the necessary steps 10 Immediately
realize upon their property and devote the proceeds
20 The purpose Of the enlarged church"
After two other members OF the Fourth Avenue
Church had urged the consolidation the committee
withdrew, and a motion formally made 10
cept the Invitation. Foreseeiug that there an
!5terminable debate IN prospect Dr. Buchanan sug
gested thai the discussion should he limited 10 an
effect was made. and the Moderator. after calling
fox the ayes and noes. declared II carried Mr
sioreordge assisted on count. This was allowed.
The telers appointed reported that the motion had
stated that she had counted l38 noes, and some one
asked the Moderator 10 give the opposition fair
play Another count was taken. showing the mo
ton q he carried this time by 26 votes 30
shereupon Mr. StOnebridge objected 70 the legality
3. the whole thing and altogether just one hour
vas consumed IN wrangling over the decision TO
:aclitate matters by combining the debate 10 an
hour
The debate itself not marked by any striking
features. The arguments were centred around the
financial condition Of the church The opponents Of
tourishing and prosperous state. while the advo-
Gates OF the gamatiOn insisted that the church
membership and funds were decreasing annually,
ana that q was only matter OF a few years when
The obsequies % the church would have 10 be read
Ultimately the congregation voted already
stated.