Alaska sentinel., 1905-02-23
The Church Muddle.
Wrangell, Alaska, Feb. 8, 1905.

| Nransell, AlaSka, Feb. $, l9U5. Rev. H. P. Corser and People-Greet- ing Through letter from Dr. c. L. Thompson, secretary of the Home Mis- sion Board, am informed that you have asked the Board with reference to the Church work here: 'Is there any hope of compromise?" While the Board has given you general answer regard ing it's purpose in Wrangell, the detail of such arrangements as you propose and the Board would make, has been committed to me, subject to approval, of course.
 During the several months of my resi- dence here l have learned something of strength and temper of the religious life of the people. Prior to my reception of the letter from Dr. Thompson informing me of your proposition with a view and hope of unifying the religious work, thinking that an opportunity might soon occur for submitting the same, for con- sideration. While l was undecided as to what initiative to take, the way has been opened up, feel, by your letter to the Board.
 It must be evident to all that one church for the natives and one for the white people, would be ample in this community for present needs. If this condition could be brought about, it would add much to the interest and en- couragement of the work. Constructive work must look to the future. In the interests of fraternal concord, in the bet ter care and instruction of the children, in the religious welfare of the town and for the honor of Christianity, cannot the past be buried and with mutual conces- sions some agreement be reached by which the future shall be more fruitful of good? Representing, therefore, the Board and the Presbyterian Church, all low me to make the following proposi- tion as basis to open up negotiations:
 First. That will have the Presbyterian church, carrying out the original purpose. make the old church exclusively native church, It or ganzed for them, the building. in part represents their labor, while to many of them the place is endeared by not few associations
 Second. That, by taking the edifice of the Peo- ples' Church, have an entirely separate organza- tion for the white people, It might be that the natives who have contributed toward the erection of that building would accept the old church re- paired as ample for what they would reinquish in the new building, or some plan be devised that would be agreeable to all concerned One thing is sure, some satisfactory agreement of the build ings could be reached if first there willing
 
 derstood from the first that persons of mixed blood. who speak the English language, will be received into membership in the white church. Third. That the Board of Missions guarantee the financial support of the minister who would serve both congregations for the present. This would give a good and separate house for each congregation. and a manse for the minister, Fourth. That, respecting minister. MT. Cor ser and MT. Kirk each select three of his people, and the six thus selected meet with them in joint session to devise and recommend course of ac- tion for approval.
 These suggestions I beg leave to pre- sent with the view that they be consid- cred by each party separately but at the enced by the action of the other. sub init them in the spirit of fairness. and ask that they be considered in the same spirit, and the conclusion reached be communicated to the other.
 Respectfully and sincerely submitted, JAMES WoLLAsToN KIRK.