The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-24
Members of the First Baptist
Church Practically Decide to
Leave Salem Square for a New
Location
HOPED ACTION MAY KEEP
DR.. MEESER IN WORCESTER
Business Of the Meeting Done in
About Fifteen Minutes-0nIy
One Dissenting Voice to the
PIan-The Parish to Be Mott
fled of Action

1t took just about Is minutes for the
First BAPTIST Church to vote last night
to build a new westinghouse in new
location. The motion was not worded
in exactly that way but it meant as
much. The church membership is not
the official body of the church and all
that the meeting last night could do
was to request the parish to act upon
its vote. This was done and as the
parish is composed for the most part of
members of the church who have been
most active in agitating the movement
for a new westinghouse, there is no
doubt as to the final action. Ways and
means are what must be considered
next.
There were about 100 present at the
meeting which was held in the vestry.
It's short duration was a surprise to
most, as it was expected that some
scattering opposition would be made
to leaving the present church home.
The vote on the question was by yeas"
and nays" and there was only one
nav"
Lyman F. Gordon, clerk of the church,
called the meeting to order and read
the call of the meeting as published IN
The Spy In the absence of the pas
tor, Rev. DR.. S. B. Meeser Judge
Francis A. Gaskill was elected chair
man. Prayer was offered by George Z.
Whitney Judge Gaskill then presented
the object of the meeting. He mentioned
the possibility of DR.. Meesers resigna-
ton to accept the call of the Woodward
Avenue Baptist Church of Detroit, and
said that many thought if the church
would deliberately enter into move
ment to build a new house of worship
it would act as an inducement to keep
DR.. Meeser in Worcester.
George C. Whitney then moved that
the church take favorable action on
the question before it, namely, to con-
slider the necessity for and the ad-
visibility of a new meeting house in
a new location" Gilbert G. Davis sec
onded the motion. Mr. Whitney eX-
planned the scope of his motion briefly
and it was put. There was a strong
chorus of yeas and only one nay.
Judge Gaskill announced that the
motion was almost unanimously car
ried." A slight pause ensued, no one
seeming ready to continue the bust
ness.
Finally, Daniel F. Gay arose and
said that the church was not an official
body and that it would be necessary
for the parish to take the further steps
to carry out the vote of the church.
! lie moved tnaJ a cOOlHllIee Oh IHTee
| be appointed by the chair to confer
with the parish as to ways and means.
| This motion was not seconded, and
| George C. Whitney offered another
| motion, which accomplished the same
purpose in a slightly different way. He
moved that the clerk of the church be
| instructed to notify the clerk of the
| parish of the vote of the church and
that the assessors be requested to call
a meeting of the parish to carry out
the wishes of the church. This was
| seconded and unanimously carried.
Roger F. Upham invoked the bless
| ing of God upon the action of the eve
ming, and the meeting adjourned, much
| to the surprise of many in the audi
| ence, who had expected a longer ses-
sion and discussion of ways and
means.
Had opposition to leaving the present
| site been raised, there would have been
! plenty of arguments forthcoming, but
those who are particularly interested in
the matter were very glad to keep their
! batteries quiet,