The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-02-07
The OTHER SIDE.
Some of Mr. Elmendorf's
Parishioners Are Work
ing to Uphold Him.
SAY THE BOOK is ALL RIGHT
It Has Been Used in st. Marks
Church That, They Say,
Lets Out Their
Rector.


Cross. who are supporting the rector,
the Rev. Augustine Elmendorf, are more
numerous than was at first supposed. The
accounts in 1.-THE News of the trouble
have attracted a great deal of attention
and have brought some of the rectors
supporters to the front.
at is about time that some one from
the other side had something to say"
said Mr.. George Patterson last evening.
Probably those who SO strongly object
to those books do not know that they
have been circulated for years; even in
this city at ST. Marks, on Jersey avenue.
This was about five years ago, I think.
1t is quite evident that our rector knew
lust what he was doing when he gave
those books out, and for my part think
they are all right see nothing objec-
tionable in them. OF course, one can look
at the matter two ways. You may be
sure that | strongly uphold Mr. Elmen-
dorf, and will to the very ed. Mr..
Patterson resides at Clarernont avenue
and Clerk street, and is the administra-
tor of the estate left by the late rector
of the Holy Cross Church, the Rev.
Stephen Battin.
Mr.. Wallace Luke, who has been
member of the church for about eighteen
months. said he saw nothing in the Rev.
Mr. Mortimer's book to warrant such a
clamor.
II heartily approve of our rector's ac-
ton" he said. He Is doing good work,
and the statements that Mr.. Elmendorf
tried to force any Of us to go to con-
fession are infamous lies. l don't believe
he ever employed such means to get ms
parishioners to confess. He certainly has
advised us to go to confession, but he
never tried to use force.
81 believe in confession, and I always
will. l have gone for year, and will
continue to do so until die. The truth
is hard thing to swallow, and it Is my
opinion that the book that some are rais-
ing so much fuss about strikes home in
many cases. This trouble, I think, will
pass over in very short time. The book
is new to them, and probably they are not
aware that it has been used before.
.oThere were statements given out, |
understand to the effect that the Bishop
would be appealed to. This will be use
less labor. He will never answer
any such appeals. He is not in the habit
of troubling his rectors, and 1t is foolish
for any one to say that the Bishop is not
aware of the work being carried on by
his rectors.'
Several other members were seen whose
sentiments conceded with those quoted
above
There is a great deal of Ill feeling prev
alent in the parish which is not likely to
die out for some time
A matter which some think is not just
right is the rector's action in regard to
having a side altar put in the church. It
| is said that when the money was given
| for the altar, it was with the understand
| ing that the altar should be put in the
chapel. Many services are held in the
chapel in the mornings because of the
| length of time it takes to heat the church
| The money for this altar was given by
daughter of the later rector, the Rev.
| Stephen Battin.
Many objections have been raised to
the rector's action in having the side a.
tar placed in the church, which he pro-
poses to do before Lent. 1t is said that
| he will have the altar built directly in
front of the tablet erected to the mem
ory of Mr.. Battin. On this altar the
Sacrament will be reserved and the Sac
rament lamp will be hung in front of the
| altar
Mr.. Battin was very low church
Episcopalian, and Mr.. Elmendorf's ac-
ton in proposing to have the altar and
| lamp placed before his tablet has caused
several members to speak harshly
| against it.
| They also say that the rector has OPP
posed wish of Mr. Battin, who built
the church, in having his parishioners
pay pew rent. Mr.. Battin never sane
| toned this. He left enough property
| when he died to pay the running expenses
| of the church, and, according to. MIR.
Elmendorf's own statement, the church
| is now about $4,000 in debt. The prop
| erty left by the deceased rector consists
| of about a dozen houses.
| Mr.. Elmendorf is not troubled about the
takes the matter very calmly. His views
| however, are still the same.
4 There is another question which some
| of the veStrymen want settled, and thai
| is in regard to holding the annual election
| of the vestry. Last year the biggest kine
| of a row resulted from the tactics en-
| ployed by Mr. Elmendorf in holding the
| election at half-past seven in the morning
| On that occasion only thirteen were pres
| ent The action of the rector In refusing
| to allow member to vote, on the groun6
1 that he had not been regular attendant
/ has been told in THE News Severa
| members of the vestry want the meeting
| to be held in the evening to allow more
| members to be present and they Intend
| fighting for this. The rector, however
| has the power to call the meeting wher
| he sees fit The election will take place
| on Easter Monday.