The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-01-27
WHO HAS
The LETTER !?
Mr.. Dougherty Says He Re-
ceived None From Con-
gregational Trus-
tees.
TWO TABERNACLE MEETINGS
Resolutions Passed at One
and Indefinitely Post
poned at Next.
TWO TABERNACLE MEETINGS

of the First CONGREGATIONAL Church have
been held within the last eight days for
the purpose of considering plans for the
continuance of the down town church
work. One meeting was held week ago
last night at the conclusion of the prayer
meeting. The other session took place
last evening. Both meetings were held IN
the lecture room.
The first session was held rather unex-
peetedly, but fair sized gathering OF
those in favor of a provisional church
were present to air their views.
Two members of the Board of Trustees
were also present These were Mr.. Blake
and Mr.. Gerow. These gentlemen ex-
plained that they came for the sole pur-
pose of leaving the course of the silence
of the Tabernacle people on the separa-
ton question and to find out just how
matters stood. One of the trustees stated
that a communication had been sent to
the Tabernacle people asking them to ap-
point committee with power TO close
some sort of deal for the continuance OF
the downtown work. This communica-
ton was sent last November to the Sec
retary Mr. Dougherty, it was stated, tut
no answer had been received. The trus-
tees requested that some action be taken
defining the wishes of the Taoernacie
people. and in response to their request
a set of resolutions were passed.
The first clause was that sthe Taber-
nacle branch shall have a pastor VINO
shall not he subject to dictation or inter
ference on the part of Mr.. Scudder."
The second clause provided for the ap-
aointment of a Board of Managers to look
after the interests of the lower prancn
and report to the trustees.
Another clause demanded a separate
treasury and treasurer. AT present there
is but one treasury, but a treasurer and
an assistant treasurer. Mr.. James
Whipple has been the assistant treasurer
and member of the lower branch. He
handles the funds of the Tabernacle just
long enough to turn them over to the
treasurer on the Heights and to record
the sums.
IT was decided a week ago to hold a
church meeting last evening for the pur-
pose of ratifying the above resolutions.
The meeting was held with Mr.. James
Whipple presiding.
It appears that the meeting last even
irss was cut and dried. Mrs. Farrier
moved that action on the resolutions be
indefinitely postponed before Miss Frost,
the secretary had chance to read the
minutes, and even before the chairman
had taken his seat. Several members
wanted to know why. action should be
postponed. Mrs Farrier's resolution was
railroaded through before any answer was
given.
Mrs Louis Dougherty then read a reso-
luton. She stated that her husband had
q foat q
trustees asking for conference to dis
cuss the separation question. In view of
this the resolution asked that the trus-
tees be requested to send duplicate of
the letter claimed to have been sent
This was Immediately passed.
Miss Frost then offered resolution.
that, whereas, Mr.. Whipple had declined
to act as assistant treasurer any longer.
Mr.. Dougherty be elected to the position
of assistant treasurer. Mr.. Dougherty
was elected.
Miss Vance then moved that the assist
ant treasurer be allowed to pay all bills
left unpaid by the treasurer out of money
voluntarily contributed by the downtown
people.
There were objections to this motion
Several claimed that such action was il
ltSdl. i HIS l1OllOuJ l1fAC Lie OlilCAS was
carried. All the resolutions had been prev
iously written out and as soon as one was
passed the next was INTRODUCED without
losing minute.
Mr.. Charles Wait said he Thought it was
due to those who voted on the first resolu-
tion that an explanation of the reason
why the indefinite postponement was rail
roaded through, be given.
hmm laff a q
made.
Mr.. Whipple, however, said he would ex-
plain the matter. The reason, he said,
was because it had since come to light
that Mr.. Dougherty had not received
communication from the trustees regard
ing the separation question. Therefore
it was deemed advisable to hear what
the trustees had to say before making
any propositions.
It was asked if it was not known that
Mr.. Dougherty had not received the COM
munication before the. resolutions were
drawn up and passed at the previous
meeting.
To this question Mr.. Whipple replied
that it was known. The meeting then ad-
journed.
Secretary Frank H Hall Of the Board
on trustees SIdIeQ InlS InOTiluS tiie1t Ar
sent the much discussed communication
to Mr.. Dougherty on November 49,
''If that letter had not been received 1t
would have come back to me- said Mr..
Hall; "for on the envelope was, If not
received in five days return to F. H.
Hail.
The communication simply asked the
Tabernacle people to empower a commit
tee to act in their behalf regarding the
down town work Nothing in particular
was specified
Miss Frost was seen this morning but
she refused to give copy Of the reso-
luItions. She declared, however that Mr..
Dougherty had not received the letter
spoken of.
The Trustees have told US that their
intentions were always for the best she
said, qbut to my mind our actions have
dseen hampered all along
Oar efforts have 1sea Blocked in many
ways. The future pf he Tabernacle is
LEFT IN the hands o Provisional Board
III Trustees who Hi Art when an answer
Is received fssla ssas Eeasya Of Trustees. s