The sun., 1899-03-13
SiGE'S PASTOR RESIGNS.
M ry4yS SAYS CHURCH OFFICERS
u,rE SECRETLY DONE A TRoNG.

Asks N the thurfh II l" De hNieu bJ the
sD,rit of the World or of Christ-Banser
p.rk,rs Asked President stryker TO suE-
..., 10 Dir. Evans That He Retire -
trouble Seems to Bo over Finances.
A. the conclusion OF his sermon yesterday
.orninr the Rcv. DIR. Anthony II. Evans an
Doupced his resignation rs pastor of the West
p,ssbyterian Church. familiaily known as
apoyton's Church" IL is understood that DIR.
rrans took this step without consulting any
oa,rpr or member Of his congregation. Those
rras.nt knew that there was smouldering
trouble within The governing bodies. but none
,,pected the resignation. DR.. Evans had
nreached from the text IF any man serve me,
ist him follow me" That conception was false,
n, said which regarded Christianity Us either
mere institution. the visible Church. or n set
NJ beliefs over which men quarrelled. True
christianity was worship Of Christ in thought,
character and service.
Instead OF making the customary prayer
pricr to the singing OF the final hymn. DIR.
Evans announced that he had communica-
ton;to make to the CONGREGATION.
my dear people," said he. 1T Is evident to
many Of you that the church Is disturbed and
that It's effectiveness as an instrument of Christ
Is unfayoraby Influenced thereby. After
much waiting upon God to know my duty as
his servant and yours. and after prayerful
consideration OF the facts and consequences. 1
have determined to speak to you freely such
things as are right and necessary.
Il came to this house conscious Of a deep
lose for you and for the truth as 1t is in Christ,
confidently relying upon God for direction and
ready to do his will. H. was with Increased
devotion that l entered upon my work at the
- Al.
any unusual antaRonism to my ministrations
In Christ One morning in the latter part OF
November..in the midst OF my labors for you,
there came to me O letter from my dear friend
President Stryker, ineloSing letter which l
shall now read.
".Rer w. ". Strvk,r, Hdmfiton College, Clinton, " T.
MY DEAR DoCroR: Saturday evening last
atihe West Presbyterian Church a Joint meet
ing OF the trustees and session was held and
considered with greatest care and kindness the
relation Of the pastor to the church. After
long discussion the writer was unanimously
requested to ask this favor Of you. namely: in
your own way to quietly aid us in inducing the
pastor to sever.his relations with ihe church
This Is believed to be necessary by the trus-
tees and session for the following reasons:
The revenues OF The church are not grees
enough TO pay the expenses, and notwithstaDd-
ing efforts We have made to economize. this
SSnddh SSndson Is dTit5g the way The
obliged to raise by mortRaging the church
property. and we are short OF the necessary
funds t0,pay @ the current @ expenses OF the church.
are notified by large number Of pewholders
that they will not pay after May next. We
S sS' s nsSs bad are rs Tsp u to h b, heh
dition Of things could not last long. Really
i should be: corrected at once, Can you help
:" There is only the feeling Of kindness and
Affection existing In the Board of of:Trustees
End eon 11d ba the far
are are able 70, do In all this matter. but the con,
not; hesitate to act. since It seems clear to be
accomplished better through YOU than through
h.., We Do not know Or believe the doctor has
to our u duty M 70 the pastor
continue as we are now going without our use
tulness being seriously impaired. and we fear
-, President si T. Bpard BParftasi q TRUST rus
ms fa Sosak Dr. EvaPs
the session. Three meetings. were held and /
ter was not their desire. for when i presented s
my resignation It was their unanimous will that
tbai ibshouId @ withhold TIL II Later on came to know
u.
The conviction took possession OF me that
great wrong had been committed. and this 1
teel to the depths Of my soul to-day,
-, IL Is wrong committed secretly and de-
n6erately, wrong not against, your pastor
only, but against the church. against the good
than all. against the sacred cause OF Christ
The inalcial problem which confronts the
SaSsrhrI SsSsrh is not formidable considerate and
iiSSast year only s6est s aHd SfiSsr for
gage SSage referred to Is not op the church proper
fSIt fsorty, street. the rental Of which is spf
ieeauctlon OF expenses and a possible increase
q income. the annual deficit would gradually
The financial problem demands careful at
,einitiSni but Is Incidental to the main question
which which Is. Shall the church be ruled by the
believe with all my heart that spiritual in
terests are supreme.
BEEN sws4sS q The ,R that have
ness ness Of the church. God has granted his % con-
hann hhaIons blessing: During the time that have
zee eeen 4, added to the bershlP Of the church
The Holy Spirit ba, been carried on with in
efssaaeing zeal and 'consecration.
~ was my confident assurance when ] |
SSe me 70 20 De your minister that God had called
Ihe events OF this hour have confirmed me In |
sHis sns assurance. l determined not TO know |
Snytnihg among you save Jesus Christ and |
anu anu HIM erucified. loved Him when came |
g anH love Himsmore to-day, and believe that |
Tn as We strive to live His life and declare His
i've i've and.do His work can we hope TO redeem
"s .eu,l G,lty and to help all struggling souls.
,rd mere Is but one thing more for me 70 do |
SnGdtt SI that ri Is to put my resignation in your
10 h, &lIion and Congr,gation of The Wsst pr,sbv
nndn Church:
Oh fEi9ding my labors as your minister in |
sintlst .in greatly hindered by the present Imam
S'ai a management OF the church and by the In |
II1Lences now at work to lessen its usefulness
herewith resign its pastorate. Praying that |
n iOu may be guided TO do God IS will and that all
(. Wh99m ! have ministered may be richly |
sfsaa'iu fssstu with heavenly grace and truth. am,
Won9annst your pastor, A. II. Evans"
hmoIen ~ were crying In all parts OF the |
eenurch. When the benedlction had been pro- |
tSe troShcel the congregation divided itself into
tSe, parties. that which walked slowly out and |
Pa F,%v Whleh remained for a word with Dr. |
cn'SiIhs cnnShs The Young Mems Association OF the
'n"HIIGh "IGGh held heated meeting in a rear room.
ssISn men Or. Evans first came to the church, |
Ssainp SSsip me Q! the speakers, William j. Camp-
M a., Gondltions were entirely different Then
no, no. eollectlon was taken up Those who could
bboU Era IaF SoOO sitting were not made to feel at
epnie yet In spite OF all the wealth in the
ibe IN the trustees have left little deficit for
Ss su ,ouhg pastor 10 make up When DR. Evans
sni "dS called to the church three years ago his
Psnn Pai{ was to be $4,000 a year. His second
Z isnr IT ne received only SS,323 ask you If that
MY proper way to conduct any business n |