The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-11-23
ALLEN WILL GO.
Bergen Baptist Clergyman
Declares That His Res
ignation Is Final.
LAST NIGHTS MEETING
People Who Expected a
Lively Row Were Dis.
appointed.

The quarterly business session of the
Bergen Baptist Church was held Wednes-
Gay evening in the chapel on Clinton ave-
nue.. The Rev. John C. Allen presided
In view of the recent unpleasant develop
ments in the church several hundred
members were present, anticipating inter
esting proceedings. There was some talk
of resembling the resolution accepting the
resignation of the pastor, which the mem
bers accepted last Sunday morning after
apparent persuasion. Why the plans were
not put into operation was not explained.
1t was thought that the persons delegated
to begin such proceedings lost heart at
the proper time
The pastors resignation was not talked
of at the business session, but there was
plenty of comment on the manner in
which Superintendent John b. Applegate
of the Sunday school, who presided at the
meeting held a week ago at which the
pastors resignation was rejected, con-
Quoted the session. An official of the
church in discussing the matter said the
friends of the pastor did not act in good
faith with those who were for the ac-
ceptance of the resignation.
1T was understood" said he, "that Mr..
Eugene w. Leake was to have the floor
and act as spokesman for the opposing
side. Mr.. Leake was to state why we
objected to the pastor remaining any
longer and he was to give our version in
detail. This plan we devised in order to
let the pastor and his friends know where
we stood and why we wished him to go.
Our intentions were open and above
board. We did not intend to go behind
anyone's back in the matter.
THE chairman positively refused to
allow Mr.. Leake to speak when the mo-
tion to accept Mr.. Aliens resignation was
made.
He woul dallow no discussion. In this
he went back on the agreement made the
afternoon of the meeting. The pastors
followers being in the majority, it was
only natural that they should win out.
From the very start we have acted
fairly with Mr.. Allen. He has been given
every chance to resign. AS early as last
spring he was told of the feeling against
him and even when he came back from
his vacation the result of private meet
ing was made known to him. He was
advised by members who had the best of
motives in view and these, some people
acted in a very friendly manner to him.
"All the promises ever made by the pas
tor and his people have been violated If
these members are anxious to have Mr..
Allen remain, then wee will lshow our
hand. We have said little or nothing as
yet, believing that the simplest way was
the best. But, should an attemtp be made
to keep the pastor after his time is up
next April. then our turn will come. We
are now in the minority. but our side of
the case is so strong that we will be
successful in our fight with out a doubt"
Mr.. Allen says that his resignation Is
final. Even now his supporters are urg-
ing him to stay.
At the business session only routine
business was transacted. Several resdg-
nations were received and these were
doubtless caused by the present church
controversy. The treasurer's report did
not show an encouraging state of affairs.
The figures pointed to a decided drop in
the church finances, which shows a ten
dency on the part of the members to
lesson their interest in church work. The
finances are running behind and the men,
bership has taken a slump since the origin
OF the dispute A great many members
have cut down their contributions within
the last six months and others have signi-
fled their intention of following this ex-
ample.