The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-04-07
Resolutions to Divide Taber-
nacle and Boyd Avenue
Churches Lost at Joint
Meeting Last Night.
UPTOWN BRANCH MAGNANIhOus
Will Allow Downtown People
Use Of Tabernacle on Suit
able Contract and Will
Not Sell Without
Majority Vote.

x 0tA
and points of order at the joint meeting
OF the First Congregational Society last
evening, called for the purpose Of con-
sidering the set of resolutions made by
the Tabernacle, asking for a separation,
ecclesiastical and financial, as stated IN
yesterdays News and little else.
First the original set Of resolutions was
brought before the body, as fohows;-
The undersigned, believing It for the
best interests of the FIRST Gongrssa-
rional Church lthe TaberIracle) that a
separation both financial and ecciesias-
teal, is absolutely necessary ~ the
work of the Tabernacle Is to pc man
tanned in the future. We, the undef-
signed, of the Tabernacle and It's con-
gregation, do most sincerely and re-
~spectfully petition that the folloWinS
Ffrst-The affirmative action of the
society approving and authorizing sueh
separation.
izing n directing the trustees to
make such equitable disposition of the
properties of the society as may be
possible. ~
Third-Vote of the society directing
delivery to the trustees Of the society
to be formed Of all records, books, pa
pers. ETC.; belonging ngg,astio 70 1s sas society
These were amended once or twice n
the amendments were withdrawn until
at last the original set of resolutions was
again before the body, with the motion
that they be accepted. Mr.. Scudder then
arose and said that he should oppose the
first resolution, because it was unwise TO
authorize a portion of the church to WITH
draw.
at would be discourteous," said he. "t
would look as though we were driving
them out"
The second resolution he thought might
be brought up in another way. The
third, he said, was impossible because II
would be wrong to give downtown
property to a minority who were divided
among themselves. Tha many of the
names signed to the petition were illegal,
being minors in the law or not members
of the society.
A vote was then called for on the ques-
ton, Mr.. Russell, the chairman,
ing tina it would be taken as was the
custom in Congress, by the voters being
counted as they passed by the tellers-
Miss Speers then rose to a point of in
formation as to whether the vote should
not be taken by roll call.
Yes" said Mr.. Russell, that is one
Way 0l ldhll6 LIE NOlC, u W. $3.50 ~
it tonight as we nave no roll here.
ssBut how are the tellers to know who
are legally entitled to voter" was asked.
The chairman began to get annoyed
ssWell, if they do not know they will let
them vote" said he, and there was a
general laugh.
wen bea them three to one" re-
marked an uptown MEMBER VINO sat near
The News reporter. tg ~ -
Then the people began to line up and the
vote was lost with a majority OF 26 to 43.
-"Out of order" whispered a member in
the front pew, nudgfng his neighbor.
"Out of order" repeated that member 70
the man next him, who in turn formed
his lips into the familiar phrase and look
ed at the Chairman, and the member VINO
had been kept standing all this time was
Now show them how we can do the
handsome thing remarked a member IN
an undertone, and Mr.. George. Whyte
arose and offered this resolution IN black
and white:-
That the trustees of this society shall
not sell or otherwise dispose OF the
property located at the corner OF York
and Henderson streets, and known as
the Tabernacle, unless instructed so
to do by a majority vote of this socie-
ty taken and polled at a regular meet
ing.
Somebody here suggested that the
church manual practically provided the
same stringent measures.
A manual was called for. The chairman
had none, but after a little canvassing
one was found and while the secretary
was looking up the article the resolution
was adopted and the manual lost sight of.
Another resolution adopted was to the
effect that in case a sufficfent NUMBER or
the church members residing in lower Jer-
sey City form a separate church the trus-
tees be authorized to make a suitable
contract with them for the use of the
Tabernacle. Which side would be suited
the resolution refused to state.
1t was then moved to adjourn to Thurs
day, April 10, the date OF the regular
quarterly meeting of the society, which
motion was carried.