New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-11
APPROVES CONSOLIDATION.
MADISON AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CON.
GREGATION UNANIMOUS.
PROPOSES TO UNITE WITH THE PHILLIPS
CHURCH IN SEVENTY THIRn-sT.-
OTHER IMPORTANT ANAL
CARNATIONS PENDING

the Phillips Presbyterian Church, at Seventy
third-st. and Madison-ave.
At the close OF the usual prayer-meeting OF
the former church the Rev DR. Howard A. John
ston. the pastor. announced that he had a mat
ter OF vital Importance. as affecting the future
OF the church. 10 lay before the members; that
matter was the proposed fusion with the Phil
lips Church. There probably not a round
half dozen OF people in the whole gathering who
had the least nkng that such a scheme had
ever been mooted. II with the greatest sur
prise therefore. that the members. who were
present in large numbers. listened 10 the pro-
posa which Dr. Johnston brought TO their
knowledge for the first time
HAD BEEN WELL WEIGHED.
As Dr. Johnston expounded the idea he made
It clear that the whole thing had been the sub
ject OF deep consideration 10 the pastors and
trustees OF both churches and was only now
made public because both sets Of officials Ia
vored the joining OF interests. DIR. Johnston ex-
planned that the lay authorities OF the two
churches heartily supported the amalgamafion.
as did the Rev Dr. John r. Bushnell, the pastor
Of Phillips Church. He dilated also upon the
benefits which would accrue 10 both congrega-
tions as a result OF the consolidation.
When he had finished speaking the long
silence that followed demonstrated how thor
oughly he had taken his hearers by surprise.
For a moment or two the stiffness continued. m
though the congregation were mentally trying
to grasp the full purport OF the pastors state
ment II was evident that he had no wish that
there should be any repetition OF the discordant
feelings which the proposal TO unite with the
Fourth Avenue Church has engendered In the
Thirteenth Street Church
After reading to the meeting a resolution ex-
pressing approval of the consolidation pr' Jonn-
ston said he was not desirous Of saying one word
which might tend TO sway the decision Of the
congregation one way or anotner' ana ASKED
that the matter should be fully and freely dis
cussed.
No OPPOSITION TO THE PROJECT
As il happened. not one word Of protest was
heard The only suggestion that was MADE was
that Of a member who thought that more une
should be given 10 consider the mat'er. III.
Johnston pointed out that the resolution called
only FOR an expression Of opinion and that no
definite action could be taken without another
congregational meeting. Of which notice would
have to be given from the pulpit.
Then by a unanimous vote the members IN
dorsed the consolidation proposal Win ,hs
same unanimity they also adopted a resolution
,ion to Join them. and appointed committee OF
seven 10 confer with similar committees OF Dr.
Bushnell's TO decide upon the details and con-
d,,ions upon which the fusion shall be carried
into effect. This committee was composed OF tho
nas,or Titus Meigs and Clark Brooks repre-
senting the Session; Warren s. Williams ana
II LEROY. of the Board OF Trustees. ana
Matthew Dady and Gideon f. Fountain. for ths
deacons.
Al the close OF the meeting the members, IN
the general conversation that ensued. expressed
the utmost qualification at the course that hAo
been resolved upon
There is no doubt whatever that the action
taken last night will be formally ratified by the
full congregation. nor is there any question tnAs
the Phillips church will accept the invitation.
PLANS OF THE CONGREGATIONS.
Although no attempt was made last nisnt 70
discuss the plans that may be formulated it can
he said that the Madison Avenue Church VIII 20
soId and it's congregation will worship In the
phu,,ns church. The amount expected TO be
res,,zed from the sale OF the first-named build
"a tho large plot OF ground which IL owns
:. s5oO 600 out OF this sum 100000 will he de-
,,o,od 70 building n new and larger edifce upon
tho site Of the Phillips church. and the remain
, - sooo 600 will 90 To form an endowment fund.
N
:. a not vet decided who will be the pastor
-. ,,o enlarged church. but there Is good rea-
= % he,ieve that DR. Bushnell and DR. John-
.,or will be appointed co-pastors Tne COM
,,,,ed CONGREGATIONS will amount to nine hundred
people. ,, -. ~.
,.u,,rs Church is rs feet, but the congregation
hos an option OF an adjoining plot OF GROUND
I,,v q frontage OF 25 feet, and It's ground
ax,ends 125 feet TO the rear. The new church
nth take the name Of the Madison avenue
church. should there be any legal oohsauon
rnon the Phillips Church to retain its ois.ne-
tive name. q chapel will be constructed WITHIN
the new building, to be calieo 'he '""'ss
Chapel.
so,,p CHANGE HAD LONG BEEN coNTEN-
PLATED.
The idea OF making some change mas been
oor,amnlated for some time by the officials OF
DIR. Johnston's church. AT hrst they almost
dac,dsd TO sell the meeting hall adjoining the
u,a,n building and devote the proceeds to ths
,,nrovement Of the church Anticipating. how
r ,h., This would lessen it's usefulness they
retected the plan after further deloerauon.
Then realizing the fact that they were s,'ua.su M
! in an oyer-churched neighbornooa sho Meie
overshadowed TO some extent py the elosc Ss.pS p.S
| t,,ttv of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Cnurcn.
they considered the desirabilty OF moving
away. They contemplated moving thslt
church over on 10 the Yves. sipe, n.a "a solvs Al,
their dificulties by joining hands with the Phil
| lips congregation. ,,.,. .y.r,.
The disappearance Of the Madison Avenue ,ss
| 1,hnrch viii mean the wiping out OF one OF tne
most prominent landmarks OF that section OF ,ns n
city II was a, this church that the KEY han, Ut
Charles s. Robinson, the author o, thsny nc,sr
sor his hymn books. labored for many years. hs
aeyo,ed much energy TO the building OF the pres
u, church which was erected on the site OF the
,s wsmortaI Presbyterian Church lie was sue.
| csaded in 1887 by the Rev Or. Charles l..
Thompson who resigned last year to become the
| sacratary Of the Home Mission Board and was
| se,lor,sd hv the present pastor, Or. Johnston,
who was called from the Forty first street Pres
| byterlan Church. OF Chicago.
CONDITION OF PREsBYrERIANIsM.