The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-03-12
Downtown Section Of the
Tabernacle, After Much
Indignation, Accepts
Inevitable.
PROVISIONAL TRUSTEES DISCHARGED
Text of the Letter Sent to the
Governing Board Excited
Utterances Last Night


Another chapter was added last night
to the bitter controversy that has rolled
merrily on between the two branches of
the First Congregational Society since
the consolidation of these churches, when
the downtown branch held a sensational
meeting in the church at the conclusion of
the church services. This session was
called for the sole purpose of discussing
the plan laid down in a rather peremptory
manner by the Board of Trustees on Fri
day night, for the continuance of the
Tabernacle work.
AS 1.-The News explained, the PROPOSE
ton set forth by the Trustees shuts the
Tabernacle branch out entirely by taking
the management of the church affairs
from the hands of the downtown people
and running them as the new committee
appointed at the same meeting sees fit.
So suddenly did the Trustees spring this
new scheme on the Tabernacle people
that it was some time before the mem
bers recovered their breath 1t was tEen
that meeting was called for last night
The session was productive of excit-
ing remarks, threats of resignation and
accusations. The downtown members
finally read lengthy letter explaining
their position and humbly bowling to the
inevitable. The Provisional Board of
Trustees was discharged and the church
is now in the hands of the committee ap-
pointed to look after it's future.
Mr. Theodore l.. Parker, who has been
looked upon as the leader of the down
town forces, was chosen chairman. He
reviewed the entire two years struggle of
the lower branch outlining, in detail, al
most every move toward independence.
He said that the Tabernacle people had
been baked in every move that they
made and had been granted no conces-
sions.
1t was then moved that the members
protest against the plans of the trustees.
This was carried, James Whipple alone
refusing to vote in the affirmative.
Mr.. Louis Dougherty, as secretary of
the Provisional Board, then read this let
ter, which was made public
1.-THE First Congregational Church and
Society, through it's Board of Trustees,
have seen fit to refuse US the lease of
the Tabernacle for one year, with the
privilege of renewal, thus using to their
fullest extent the power conferred upon
them and forcing US to bow and accept
their ultimatum. We do most solemnly
protest against their action in denying
what we deem a reasonable request, the
privilege of organizing and maintaining
in the Tabernacle an independent Congre-
gational Church and Society, for 1t IS
plain to all interested after three years
test that consolidation with the two
churches ana congregations, so widely sep
arated is a failure.
1--WE wish to place on record our en-
IN rnlj oh a
rights we may be possessed of by reason
of our membership in the First Congrega-
tional Church and Society who own the
two church buildings and to accept the
Trustees of the First Congregational
Church and Society, to assume all un-
paid obligations incurred during 1899, con-
tracts for music ending May |, 1900, to
keep the building in repair and maintain
the church until the expiration of the
lease and without any cost whatever TO
the First Congregational Church and
Society
we know now the motive that impelled
those in authority to refuse struggling
few of their members an opportunity OF
trying to do the Lords work, put Lne
full light that has been shed on all other
phases of this unfortunate church dlfv
ference we feel their Judgment has been
biased and their action unjust.
Their conclusions they secretly guard
ed and were not revealed until Friday
night last, when the Trustees presented
themselves in a body and read the state
ment which they dignif1ed by Designating
thus a plan to harmon1ze, build up, ana
as far as possible, meeting the wants anu
wishes of the Tabernacle branch.
1--WE were not consulted in formulating
the Dlan nor were our wishes Eollclted
,concerning amy of its details. but were
sbriehy and positively told that 1T was not
"a matter for arbitTation, diversion, reJec-
rion or acceptance on our part, that II
was what they had decided on Tor our
present and future government.
1--WE make this statement that the puo-
Tic. who are fair and just, may know the
texact situation and Will judge us gener-
ously and impartialy.
Secretary Dougherty moved that the
Provisional Board be discharged from
further service in THAT capacity, and read
THE following letter, which was acted upon
tEavoraIbly:-
ssThe Provisional Board of Trustees
having tried every means possible to eff
feet the organization of an independent
CONGREGATIONAL Church and feeling that
I'VE have exhausted every effort in The line
iof Christianity for the reason set forth In
the letter of the Board of Trustees of the
fF,irst CONGREGATIONAL Church, do moSt
Tespectfully ask ito be discharged from
further consideration of Tabernacle mat
tiers.
srP. C. VAN ZANDT,
''W r. LAIRD
.'L. T. DOUGHERTY."