The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-13
WARN 0 R IN A CHURCH
m .JERsEY err TABERyACLB rs
TO BE KEPT OPEN.
The Rev. DIR. scudder Was willing, but He
Didn't Want Money to he Diverted 10 It
from the IN Bfanch,' Where He IL

The Rev. DIR. Soudder Was willing, but He
Didn't Want Money to he Diverted TO It
from the Hin Branch" Where He IL
Now Prenching-Money Will BE Raised.
The Society OF the First Congregational
Church OF Jersey City. better known az the
Tabernacle. OF which the Rev. DR.. John l..
Bcudder IL the pastor. held a long and turbu-
lent meeting last night. The church has two
branches. One IL the old First Tabernacle in
York and Henderson streets. which has
been q conspicuous place of worship for many
years. The other is the Hill Branch" in
Bergen avenue, which was secured from the
Dutch Reformed Church a comparatively short
time ago. The question at issue last night
was whether the old Tabernacle should be
abandoned. and IL provoked considerable dis
| cussion OF an acrimonious character. The Rev.
Dr Scudder started the ball rolling by making
a little speech.
"Th question is" said he. shall we run In
debt or shall we proceed In a business manner?
1t is a well-known fact that people who attend
Protestant churches are leaving Jersey CITY"
In support OF this statement he read n long
list Of people who had moved away from there
in recent years. He said he was In favor Of
keeping the Tabernacle open II money enough
could be secured to run II independently OF the
Hill Branch"
We can get all the ~lnancial aid we need as
long as we keep the old church open," said
Deacon Hunt. otherwise we cannot"
In order to get the matter before the meet
ing in proper form" said Mr.. Sperry. Il move
that. as our financial condition will not war
rant the maintenance OF two places Of worship.
no more money be spent on the Tabernacle"
Instantly there was an uproar. and many de-
mands were made to know lust how much
That the 'e eSpsnses Of fssS would be $500.
EE aiP srDse and a Syo s!Eed m how T 81 rr PSRP q sam
ter,s salary y pay; Finally Clerk Ware got Up
tons tom st to the f1d AMOUNT NO mt p rs $1,000 i The TsSernaeIe
was kept tx open ,, and b. he t thou Iss Il might DO run
All we want is a fair chance" he added
1T would be, a wicked sin 70 close this
eh Mr. scu sHe&'e ofr g @fn an R'5 am e r%Ir sra' thai hart Il
the Tabernacle be kept open no more money
be spent on it than could be raised for that
1T these people wish to make the expert
ment. why let them go ahead. " he said,
inal motion was laid on the table. whereupon
IA determined-looking young woman wear;
a, set OF resolutions for the consideration
OF the society. At first she wanted to Offer them
ai ! s G6SsIf4I%ss t Sso MT; #' Russell m PaisG t fna
she was out OF order she fought him on par
iiamentsry rules ss .h She ns said the n,d resolutions sOhraSnS
by the old Board Of Trustees. The. resolutions
were finally put in the form OF q motion
that services be continued in. the Taber-
nacle as long as. money may be raised for
its support. that an assistant pastor
be named who would devote his entire
time to that branch OF the church. and that all
money raised for it be spent on 1t exclusively.
am was then b 9r sgIS66 out on The thst ol th e6ar we're debts
Il don't think the deficit and hack salary
Scudder. We want to do the square thing.
but we should not be compelled to assume this
burden"
A motion was then made that the debts men,
toned be paid out OF any money loft, as each
quarters expenses were paid. and that q COM
mittee be appointedlto collect money for the
maintenance OF the old Tabernacle. DIR. Scud-
der opposed this motion also.
Such a proposition is an insult to the Board
OF Trustees" he cried. You cannot shoulder
this debt on the Hill people. and We must settle
the question IL we stay here until dawn"
Il wish | had the settlement OF this question
in my hands" said a stern-faced woman with
diamonds in her ears who sat near The Sun
reporter. I'd settle 1t in Just about twenty
minutes"
Il move that we adjourn untilnext Thursday
evening in the Hill Church, said Mr.. Sperry.
When the motion was put there was a chorus OF
ayes and a roar OF noes. 4 rising vote was
called for. and Chairman Russell jumped on
the platform to count II. He finally announced
that the motion was lost by n vote OF ITO TO 95.
Great confusion followed. and many OF. those
who voted to adjourn began to leave the church.
Men and women rose up In all parts OF the
building clamoring for recognition, and the
Chairman was bewildered. The meeting finally
adjourned at IL 40 o'clock without a date.