The Jersey City news., 1899-10-13
TABERNACLE
WOES.
The Sleeping Lion Failed
to Roar at the Hill
Church Meeting.
ANOTHER SLAP IN THE FACE
Bylaws Amended So That
All Meetings Will Be
Held Uptown.
ANOTHER SLAP IN THE FACE


of the First CONGREGATIONAL Church would
be settled at the quarterly meeting OF the
Church Society. held last night in the lec-
ture room OF the church, at Bergen ana
Boyd avenues. Matters pertaining to
separation were not mentioned during the
session. There were about fifty parish
ioners present. The result of this session
Is exceedingly disappointing to the down
Town branch. It was thought by some Of
the Tabernacle people that the petition
asking for a separation would surely pe
discussed Every downtown member
who has signed the petition asking ior
the seyering of the old church from the
nil branch, feels that the matter no"
rests entirely with the hill people There
was not a representative OF the lapsi-
nacIe Church present at the meeting.
Mr.. Frank H. Hall told a reporter OF
ssThe News that the hill trustees hao
come to an agreement, after discussing
the various clauses in the volurnineus Pc
tition. but that he was in no position to
give such information for publication. lhe
agreement could not be had, and i VIII
not become public property until brought
up before the downtown branch at an
of1icial meeting of that body. Mr. Hail,
on being questioned, stated that some OF
the demands of the petition had not been
granted.
IT firmly believe said Mr.. Hall, that
the two bodies can and will come to an
agreement without much dihiculty l
deplore this act of separation and honest
ly wish that the two churches could re-
main as one. There is no reason why
this matter cannot be settled amicably.
..Regarding the action Of our board, |
have nothing further to say. than that we
met and came to an agreement after con-
sidering the petition sent by the down
town branch. Our decision will be COM
municated to the downtown branch.
The downtown Board of Trustees will
nave to consider the ultimatum OF the
trustees and give their decision to the
downtown people for ratification. More
trouble is anticipated in view Of the tact
that the Hill board has refused to grant
all the concessions asked. The downtown
people stated that they would not be con-
tented with any article of separation
other than those submitted in their petit
fion
None of those interested in arranging
the details of separation will consent to
talk on the subject. All claim that there
win be time enough when the matter
reaches a definite stage.
The business session was decidedly in
teresting. Figures given by the treasurer,
Mr. Blake, show the hill church to be in
a better financial condition than at any
time for years. In fact the record thus
far, he said, was almost phenomenal.
Mr. Rowland was chosen chairman and
Mr.. George H. Russell, Secretary. Mr..
Blake stated there was an inaccuracy in
the minutes of the preceding session held
in July. He said the minutes showed that
only s610 has been appropriated for the
Tabernacle music. while $500 was the sum
given. He moved that these figures be
changed.
A point in favor of the Hill church was
gained a few minutes later when, an
amendment to the bylaws. offered by
Mr.. Crosby, was passed. This amendment
was that all meetings of the church So
ciety should be held in the Hill church
thereafter. because the majority Of the
members resided uptown. This Is con-
sidered slap at the downtown branch,
as at the time Of the consolidation it was
agreed that meetings would be held alter
nately at the two churches.
Article 3, section Z, of the bylaws rel
alive to the disposition of church prop
erty, was also amended on a motion of
Mr. Frank Hall. He offered resolution
asking that the words 'or at a special
meeting be added. This gives the.
church the right to hold meeting at any
time to dispose Rf any matters of i'm
portance that may arise.
This amendment, 1t is thought, was
offered for the purpose of facilitating
matters, so that meeting could be cali
ed at any time TO dispose of the question
now uppermost In the minds of the mem
bers, that regarding separation.
Treasurer Blake then read a report,
which dated from April to the present.
He stated that the receipts of the up
town branch were s5,41225 and expenses
$5.133.53, leaving balance of S298.72. The
Tabernacle balance over all expenses was
s4s6O
Mr.. Hoagland moved that the annual
financial report be printed previous to the
annual meeting, so as to give the mem
bers chance to digest the figures.
Treasurer Blake said that if such a
matter were ordered officially, it would
lay heavy burden on him, which he
would shrink from accepting. He added
that it would be almost impossible to
compile q report and have it printed pre-
vious to the meeting. Further, that the
report would not be an official one, If il
were circulated among the members be-
fore being accepted at a meeting. Mr.
Hall offered an amendment to Mr.. Hoag-
lands motion to the effect that the re-
ports be printed after the annual meet
ing. The amended motion was carried
Mr.. Hall then asked the treasurer for
a few figures regarding the financial state
of the church.
Il feel that the record made during the
past nine months" said Mr.. Blake, was
phenomenal, perhaps the best this church
will have for years. We have succeeded
In paying off 81, 400 of the mortgage and
81, 200 of outstanding notes. We owe about
$1,000 in bills but this should not cause
any uneasiness In view of the fact that
we have decreased the church debt con-
siderably more than that sum- He then
moved that d sustaining fund be inaug-
urated, beginning in January of next year.
He explained that envelopes would be
given to each member every Sunday and
the funds given in them would prove very
beneficial to the church. The weekly con-
tributions will be In addition to the pew
rent. This motion was carried. Mr.. Blake
added that even those who were not mem
bers of the church would contribute more
generously in this manner.
Mr.. Crosby asked the treasurer If he
church. Six thousand dollars was given
as the sum- and the receipts as about
So 700. The deficiency has to be made up
In church fairs. sociables and lectures.
Mr. Craig said that he knew 267 MEM
bers who do not give cent to the church.