New-York tribune., 1901-11-22
MEMBER Alta CK.S PASTOR.
THE REV DR. LUDLOW ASSAILED BE
CAUSE HE WRITES BOOKS AND
breaches OF HISTORY.

East Orange n j. Nov. 81 (SpeciaD.-A circular
letter has been sent to the members of the Mum
Avenue Presbyterian Church, of East Orange, by
". s. Wensey. member of the church, living at
No. % South Maple-ave, in which the pastor the
Rev. DR.. James NJ Ludlow. is attacked for writing
historical novels and for preaching sermons based
on notable books. Mr. Wensey also asserts that
in the last seven years the church has declined
spiritually, that the attendance at evening ser
vice and prayer meetings has fallen Off that fire.
quenty 80 per more of the elders of the
church are absent from both evening service and
prayer meeting. that out of a membership of seven
hundred It difficult 10 get "offfce bearers, ~
and that there lack of organization sufficient
to induce more than a third of the membership to
contribute the support of the churchs missionary
in Cuba.
Mr. Wensey declares that 1t cannot possibly be
claimed that those whose religious sympathies
bring them to church twice on Sundays will be
strengthened spiritually by book review, and
asks, DO need preacher instead of
man whose heart is with ancient history and
modern literature. and should we not have one for
the salary pay?''
Mr. Wensey continues that when his Teferring
TO DR.. Ludlow's) friends suggest the advisability
OF a literary career. and when he has been con-
sidering It and taking an active step in that d.
rection the present time the approach of
the annual church meeting. would be an opportune
for making change
DR. Ludlow Is we'll known the author of sew
eral historical novels. we'll of some books in
lighter vein his most notable books probably
being The Captain OF the Janizaries." dealing
with the life of Scanderbers and Turkish events;
"A King OF Tyre " a romance of Phoenician life,
and Deborah" his latest book, which is a story
of the times OF Judas Maccab@us. He has declined
offers from publishers recently three houses having
received his declination within six weeks, be-
cause he writes only in vacation and as means or
recreation from his professional work To IT'D
une reporter who Dr. Ludlow to-day the
pastor declined to discuss the illusions of a per-
sonal nature In Mr.. Wensley's letter, copy OF
which the writer had him. He, however die
tated the following. when urged for statement
in the matter:
decline to say anything in regard TO the per, r.
not hesitate 70 characterize. the attack the
church and it's officers absolutely unWarranted
most e rs ao condon Since its
Notwithstanding the tact that we have been for 9e ne
OF worship and are now without Sunday school
inctions Of the church have been greatly Increased
the societies for work have been more largely at
we have multiplied III. Ievs of already large
building every seat in it is taken with t WhnS Sh1n
in the various boards are men of the highest
Nj Wensley's animus toward the church Is well
known He is n comparative newcomer. re Vas
self so uncomfortable there that he resigned before
end OF his term. He sought the once OF elofr ,b
congregation. consisting of five OF our ieadlng Glt
9 in 70 opd9 metns from
one and received two votes out of the entire CON
Enating Committee The joint boards of the church.
twenty men. heard him Respectfully ana unanie 4he
pastor sided with the officers and advised Mr.:
Wsnsy " 6m a f that e he to-
Guided the pastor In his attacks. He circulated
Gatrn,ept of the pastor and the official boards.
This came be such nuisance that 1he session aoa
Teonested him. unless he could change his conduct
TO go elsewhere. His reply is the circular which is