New-York tribune., 1900-05-17
CHURCH'S DEBT WIPED OUT
WEST PRESBYTERIAN'S ANNUAL MEET
ING SHOWS A BALANCE ON HAND.
DEFICIT OF $1,000 PAID OFF SINCE RUS
SELL SAGE RESIGNED AS TRUS-
TEE A YEAR AGO

The annual meeting of the congregation of the
West Presbyterian Church, in Fcrty-second-st
near Fifth-ave.. held in the chapel or the
church last evening. and it was an occasion Of re-
joicing The report OF the treasurer showed that
for the first time in seven years the cnurch was
out Of debt. not only having cancelled deficiency
of nearly $1,000, but having in the treasury an eN-
cess of 1922 03.
In March 1899 the Board of Trustees was dis
satisfied with the pastor. the Rev Dr. A. H. Evans.
and handed in his resignation. The congregation
rejected the resignation by vote of to l. In May
last year the old Board of Trustees, including Rus-
sell SAGE n NJ Flagler Seth Thomas Robert Jaf-
fray and others, resigned in body They made an
agreement that all should be reelected or none
would accept a reelection. At the meeting OF the
congregation held May II, last year, an opposition
ticket nominated and elected. H. NJ Flasler
and S. c. T. Dodd were elected trustees. but they
resigned and their places were filled Inc con-
troversy very high, but the younger element
In the church The reason given TOT the
resignation Of old Board of Trustees last year
the opposition to the pastor. Ihe ola boaru
represented vast fortunes and it was thought that
their wealth and influence would cause thelr re-
election as the church was in debt. When the an
nual meeting was held last year no one but church
members were admitted, and the sexton ana TWO
assistants kept out other persons. Last night the
doors were flung open and the public was corolaly
invited.
REPORTS ALL SHOW FINANCIAL SCCCt-SS'
The meeting was opened with a preliminary ue-
votional exercise Dr. Evans, in his prayer, gave
thanks for the prosperity of the last year
J. H. Whitaker read report or the 1ouis
Mems Association, which showed increased melh-
bershin and A surplus in the treasury. Miss Peck
read a report of the Young Women's Assoclauoh'
This showed the gratifying result as old aiso
the Women's Mission Societys report reiu' pS
Mrs H L. Richards. Mrs. Hannah's report OF
tba worL IN the Church of the Good Shepherd
mission of the West Presbyterian Church. was very
gratifying In reading report OF the pastor oI
the Church of the Good Shepherd Dr. Evans SAID
that the flood of colored population In the
hood of the church caused a falling Off. and that
l2o names had been stricken from the rolls sun
the church prosperous. ]. Nelson Irwin secre-
tary of the session. stated that there were oo' Gum
municants in the West Presbyterian Church-
Then Dr. Evans called the business meeting TO
order as Moderator. William ]. Campbell was
chosen secretary w H. Granbery, president Of
the Board Trustees, caused printed copies Of the
re % Gf the Whea hen Me-
Board of Trustees regrets that any MEMBER snouiu IN
Ierard ane to financial matters to withdraw from the
when SO we're Tesu on hS
faces Of all The report Of Irvns s N 81 shay 1a1s Re eR
pendprr So balance on hand May l. 1909
s522 o3, When Mr. Shaw came TO the item Hat IN tne
thrdst property he intereceSd the remar5k ni5s
and some laughter.
THANKS FOR DIRECTORS AND PEOPLE.
After the reading had concluded Rawdon Myers
arose and moved vote of thanks to the Board OF
Directors. He sad II have been member OF this
church for thirty-fve years. and this is the hrst
time that vote of thanks has been proposed for
the efforts of the Board
Dr. Evans put the motion, and asked the con-
creation TO by upnfted hands, put 50 Gtedt
the enthusiasm and elation that they cred 4 oul
Ave- DR.. Evans, after the motion was put sald
that the Board had worked wonders. He had faith
in them and in the congregation. DIR. Evans
praised the efforts of ALL but made no reference TO
any of the trouble last year. go
William ]. Campbell asked to be permitted 10 say
a few words II want to say that this work SHOWS
q loyalty to pastor, DR.. Evans. more than any
with it's lberality and effort. wish a motion
could be put thanking the congregation .
Before the business meeting was commenced the
report of the annual meeting of May H., lS99 was
read and approved. This showed the election or
w H Granbery, d. G.. French, Irving M. Shaw,
H B. Tremaine. H. B. Tompkins. H. NJ. Flagler
and S. c. T. Dodd as the Board of Directors. in
three trustees to be elected-two to take the
places of H NJ. Flagler and s. c. T. Dodd, and an
other all to three years from August l. Will
lam J. Campbell, George w. Graham and Thomas
P Spencer were nominated and elected unani-
mously.
All of the old Board with the exception of H. NJ
Flagler have retired from the church and gone
especially jubant last night and after the meeting
talked freely the of the church. and de-
clared that prosperity not always forthcoming
when the church members millionaireS. Great
stress laid on the statement of Mr.. Granbery
that increased income and reduced expenditure
would approximately make the surplus next year
A,400