New-York tribune., 1899-03-24
WEST CHURCH'S AFFAIRS.
-nrsrrEs AND SESSION ISSUE A STATE
MENT.
rvrv DECLARE THAT GRIEvoUs WRONG
uAs BEEN DONE TO THE OFFICERS BY
CERTAIN STATEMENTS IN THE PAS
TORS LETTER OF RESIGNATION.

TORS LETTER OF RESIGNATION.
-. trustees and members OF the session OF the
,-sst PRESBYTERIAN Church have issued a statement
" -. congregation Of the church in regard 10 the
So,rs ~ the church which were recently brought
. he attention of the public by the resignation Of
,hs Rev. DR.. A H. Evans as pastor. 1t reviews the
s,sncial condition OF the church. and shows what
e1orts were made 10 reduce the outlay and increase
~, incone in the last three years. 1t then goes on
IS follows:
,b1y show an Increase OF floating debt dn spite Of
a.. stses r~ felt convinced that further steps
should be taken, and they invited the ELDERS g a
lOna,,ng the cond tion OF the church fully dis
rrssed and II was determined that something
nc number Of those present were convinced that
q would be IN the interest Of the church 10 nave
u -, wss clear that all the officers were unwilling to
ask him 70 90 f "a friend with the object Of placing
Ne condition OF affairs before the pastor. The
e. Communicate with the Rev. Dr. Stryker in re-
1rSSs meeting was informal one; no minutes
,ars i kept and no formal motion was made. The
'ssa Of the pastors resignation as probable con-
sssaenos ot This action was freely discussed, and
80 a result although deeply regretted. seemed
,."ritsble The letter written by the chairman
1es NJ private and confidential nature and
so,ld have been so considered and treated-sacred-
S.e time the pastor called the session together
s5I rendered his resignation. embodyins therein
III statement that ne resigned at the request OF
ne session ana trustees" The session declined TO
reesTe the resignation in this form. and the pastor
decided TO give the matter further consideration on
sisfed that he had changed his mind and he with
s,sH sIs8 hs s pastor on this subject until his public
dress and resignation last SUNDAY morning.
In thus reviewing the events OF the last few years
Il Is proper 10 make special reference 10 one item
Q: expense. viz the music The reductions OF
!. ,be choir 10 assist the church in its difficulties
soGght the total expense OF choir and orSanist
that which Is spent ny olher prominent ChurCleS N
;bis ritv However. the existence OF A church does
rserable discussion each year about the propriety
.. making this appropriation in the present fnan-
Segregation 70 know that the argument which has
slVays decided them TO grant the appropriation IS
snsrgeucaly and faithfully TO build up the chuTsn
be ought 70 have every externai alo "ntSn ne ne
,ugh, not 10 be hampered by the unfavoraole com,
svsrse its traditional policy in this respect This
explanation was given personally 10 me pastor lW9
months ago. and he expressed himself as gratited
All this viii Illustrate not only the cordial feel
ng which has always existed among the trustees
slll duty as secular officers Of the church in sus-
111las and deeplY pained to observe in his letter
u resignat ton the statement that his work had
nent Of the church" This statement and the i'm
preston i, creates are most unfortunate ana IN IN
ius'. and a Grievous wrcns mas been oohe 10 '"9
pfcers of this church. >.
. Further public statements have been mace tsonle
apparently emanatne from members Of the church,
70 the effect thai an attempt has been % %maae 70
undermine the pastor and 70 interfere with ms
work. that opposition IS felt toward him because
be has ignored class distinctions and that people
AZ moderate means not welcome In our churcn;
The absolute untruth Of these charges IL Wen
known to the officers Of the church, who nave n
variablv felt the utmost friendliness toward me
pastor and the fullest desire 70 aid him IN ever
snort ~ extend the spiritual usefulness or 'ne
,hurch. ,,, .,... 90.
The tone Of the pastors address plainly inumates
ne en,ri; of Christ is ruling the church and more
nve- that there has not been a considerate ana
-enerous policy devoted TO spiritual things 10 10
Hhat extent this IS intended 10 refer 70 the trustees
'hev are unable to judge with certainty; but IN
nv case they deplore the necessity or pelg ioICtu
-rs 20 address the congregation in order to coun-
le-act an evident impression that they nave nm
iered the pastors ministrations - ,,, T..
The statement is signed by F. n; PERKINS, u
" r Wheeler Seth f. Thomas. Alfred Il: Snlth'
R,,ssai Sare s Newton Smith. Robert Jauray: IT.
and 6 c T. Dodd as trustees and Robert Janr ray,
T.harles Hilton Brown. Sidney F WilcoXr W EaWar1
Van Claim. William Darrow. Samuel DerlchiSon
and William s. Patten as members OF the sessioi-