Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-01
REFUSED TO ACCEPT
CONGREGATIONS RnJHCrED DIR.
HAsroN's pHoposAL 1p RESIGN.
The Matter Causes Discussion and
Question Referred to Presbytery
Of Washington.

The congregation Of the Eastern Presby-
terrain Church, corner of 9Th street and
Maryland avenue northeast, held meeting
last evening to act on the resignation of the
pastor of the church, Rev. DR.. Thomas
Chalmers Easton, and by vote of 153 to
46 refused to accept the resignation.
The meeting developed the fact that there
is strong feeling between the two factions
known to exist in the congregation. In the
discussion that arose after DR.. Easton had
read again the statement Of the reasons for
his action, as presented to the congrega-
ton week ago last Sunday, some heated
words were exchanged.
DR.. Easton explained the phrase which he
had used, under existing circumstances"
by saying it referred to a clause in the last
report of the session. This clause was in
answer to the question: rs there any
cause for dissatisfaction with the spiritual
condition Of the church," The answer was:
Yes; factional feeling and dissatisfac-
ton between pastor and people"
When DR.. Easton said that this had been
inserted in the report by a majority vote
of the session DIR. w. F. Gatchell arose and
stated that he thought DR.. Easton had not
given an accurate statement of what &C.
CURED in the meeting Of the session. The
answer to this question he said had been
inserted unanimously. There were cries Of
.'Sit down" and some Kisses when DR.
Gatchell began to speak.
Before the vote on the acceptance of the
resignation was taken Mrs. Annie Hart,
one of the pastors most loyal supporters,
made plea for harmony. In the course
of her remarks she was interrupted by per-
sens who differed with her in some of the
matters discussed. When Mrs. Hart re-
ferred to the congregation as body that
should be conscientious voice from the
center of the room was heard to say, Eyes,
but 1t is not" to which remark Mrs. Hart
responded in a spirited rejoinder.
DR.. Easton expressed the desire that there
be no demonstration, but his friends and
admirers could not restrain themselves, and
gave vent to their delight when the result
OF the vote was announced.
Each Faction Represented.
At the pastors request the commission
appointed to present the resignation before
the presbytery of Washington, which meets
in Gunton Temple April II, was made up
of three men from each faction, as follows:
From the majority, Messrs. David Aiken,
August o. Bosthon and Frank P. McDer-
mott; from the minority, DIR. w. F, Catch
ell, DR.. L. A. Sadler and Mr. John L. Shedd.
II the presbytery should unite with the
majority OF the congregation in asking DR..
Easton to remain it is possible he may do
so, but nothing Is certain In his mind at
matter investigated by the higher body of
the church to withdrawing his resignation
and remaining under the present conditions
Contentious Of Both Sides.
Mr.. c. G. Morgan, the retiring president
of the Christian Endeavor Society of the
church, in conversation with a Star re-
porter this afternoon. said that while the
majority Of votes were in favor of the
pastors remaining, the majority of the Off
GERS of the church were not. OF those who
voted against refusing to accept the resig-
nation, said Mr.. Morgan were five of the
nine elders, five of the nine trustees, the
superintendent of the Sabbath school and
two out of his four assistants. the president
OF the Ladies Aid Society, the superintend-
ent Of the Junior c. E. Society and several
of the deacons beside himself.
The pastor. however. is known to have
many flrm friends among the influential
he has been for eleven years, and what the
action Of the presbytery will be is consider
ably matter Of speculation, as is also Dr.
Easton's decision.