New-York tribune., 1900-07-09
BROOKLYN NEWS.
MAY START A NEW CHURCH
BUT FRIENDS OF RICHARD MEREDITH
FIRST SEEK HIS REINSTATEMENT.
MEMBERS OF THE BRANCH SEND PETITIONS TO
TOMPKINS AVENUE CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH-TROUBLE BETWEEN
BROTHERS.

If the Rev. Richard Meredith is not reinstated
as pastor Of the Park Avenue Branch OF the Iomp-
kins Avenue Congregational Church at the annual
meeting of the home church in November. large
number of members of the branch say they Will
leave the branch and start new church The
situation continues acute. owing to the loyal ana
whole-hearted support which many OF the members
of the Park Avenue Branch give to the Rev. Rich
ard Meredith, who reported as saying that
he was forced out of his place as pastor OF the
branch by his brother. the Rev. DR.. Robert X
Meredith. pastor of the Tompkins Avenue Consre-
gatonal Church.
The Rev. Richard Meredith was born in Dublin,
where he was graduated from theological semi
nary He came to this country in 1858. He Is
siXty-seven years old three years older than MS
brother Robert. He has been in the Congregational
Church many years He had church in Leomin-
ster, Mass. which he gave up, owing 10 poor
health, and in 1892 went TO Europe for his health
When he returned to America he went to live with
his nephew. Irving Meredith, son of Dr. Meredith
a Lexington. Mass. Irving Meredith died about
five years ago. For several years Mr. Meredith was
without a charge but he had small competence.
LEFT HIS BROTHERS HOUSE.
Three years ago last November, through the in
fuence of his brother he took charge OF the Park
Avenue Branch of the Tompkins Avenue Church.
He boarded with his brother at No 81 McDonough-
In January he left the house of his brother and
live at No. 90 McDonough-st
as pastor of the Tompkins Avenue Church. Rich
ard Meredith, pastor of the branch. received
S2 500 a year. The latter is married but his wife
for eighteen years has been confined in a sana-
torium in Massachusetts.
The relations between the two brothers came to
such pass that, it is said, DR.. Meredith asked his
brother TO resign and acrimonious letters were
Board Of Trustees of the Tompkins Avenue Church
advised Richard to resign. and the latter sent in
same Evening the resignation was accepted: None
Of the members of the Park Avenue Branch were
on it, it is charged by friends of Richard Meredith
CIRCULATING THE PETITION
A petition was circulated and received the sig
nature OF every member OF the branch with the
exception of four. 1t is declared. This petition
spoke of Richard Meredith's power and grace
a pastor, of his ''alertness untiring energy and
the consecrated and prayerful manner in which he
has labored for the upbuilding Of Gods Kingdom -
Church to reinstate the Rev. Richard Meredith and
richard Meeh % sed dS 6T Enro0e on trip
around the world on July 4. He will not to
pier to see him of score OF of the members ' of
h his branch CHURCH They told him that they would
said he would be glad to serve them.
tioR and committee from the branch will within
q fortnight, visit the Board of Trustees OF the
position will be made of the request.
WILL STICK TILL NOVEMBER
Last Thursday night meeting was held at the
home Of one Of the prominent of the branch
church. at which It decided TO stick by the
church until the meeting in November when they
will determine what their action will be AS the
situation is. there is constant reminder of
the old trouble through the Thursday evening
prayer meetings. Many of the members refuse to
attend these meetings. and say they will hold meet
ings in the homes of members
The members of the Park Avenue Branch are peo-
pie In poor circumstances. but thrifty. For the
most part they of German origin. One Of them
yesterday afternoon said that It would be inpos-
sible TO pay Richard Meredith more than half his
former salary as pastor of church If it Were
organized Mr. Meredith she said knew that but
he was willing to them and they were en-
thusiastic in their love for him. Between now and
November meetings will be held among the men,
bers. and endeavors will be made to get together
fund. They tried to get control of the Petit Me-
mortal Methodist Church, Park-ave. near Bed
ford-ave. This church has been closed for a year
or more. The effort unsuccessful
Yesterday the Rev. DR.. Samuel L. Loomis. OF
Boston, preached in the Tompkins Avenue Church
in the morning and in the branch in the evening
This will continue for six Sundays when the Rev
Charles King pastor Of the Bushwick Avenue
Congregations Church. will flll the pulpit for the
following three SUNDAYS.