New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-24
DR.. LEES STATEMENT.
Says He Has Suffered Mach from
Trustees and Presbuteru.

me Rev Dr. John Lloyd Lee. pastor OF the
westminster Presbyterian Church. has made public
In great detail the history OF the fight between his
ehurch and the Presbytery OF New-YOrk. His state
ihent' which contains about fifteen thousand
words. gives ali the inside workings of this long
internal strife DR.. Lee says he makes public the
ueience TO correct false misleading statements"
although the dispute is still going on as heartily
as ever the church is no longer q member OF the
Fresoytery, for on January 81 It Withdrew.
Ut Lee says the trouble started when his pre-
oecessor had the option Of resgning or accepting
a cut Of 5000 year IN his salary. When he was
installed Dr. Lee says. a young trustee told him
TO keep his hands of the MANAGEMENT of the
church." and that the trustees would manage the
affairs of the church"
Another told him. Dr. Lee says that such-and-
sucn hymns should be sung, and that Dr. Lee was
having too many "evangelistic'' hymns in the even
ing services. He went to the church under the
condition he says. that II the church revenues were
Increased his salary would be proportionateIy i'd
Vanced Later one Of the trustees said that this
clause was fraudulently" inserted In the pastors
caH Dr. Lee declares, About this time the breach
between the trustees and Dr. Lee began TO widen
according to the former
In April 1904 the tr1Istaaa ,srs.s ,.,. ,s,,
uoh among the congregation. DR.. Lee says be-
cause they had a stenographer take a record Of
.he congregational Meeting Prior to this the pas
p1 says certain trustees circulated reports about
LII Later these trustees were suspended from the
49, eOOu dlu suIuClent reasons.
Then there was trouble in the Christian Endeavor
society for some Of the leaders worked against
inc pest interests Of the church" The was
true OF the Sunday school. DR.. Lee says
In June. 1904. petition from q minority OF the
church was presented to the Presbytery containing
'hese charges 1t was done without the knowledge
OF 'ne pastor As a direct result six members were
suspended In August OF the same year the
trustees brought action IN the Supreme Court 10
.'' lne TWO trustees who had been elected In
pace OF the two who were suspended from the
church.
7or the next six months, to quote DR. Les "sev-
efu OF those who were working against the estab-
Asheo authority OF the church disturbed the service
Oh many Sabbaths by laughing talking rafting
PSpels. Summing hymnbooks shut, talking loudly
i'o sauc4y 10 people near them during prayers and
sermons When an appeal was made to the Pres
Dytery' DIT. Lee says. it was laughed at
There was lively time at the annual congrega-
donal meeting April s. 1905. Dr.. Lee says there
were SO many threats Of violence that only uuaI-
ined members were allowed TO enter the church
a great many who were not qualified voters
blocked the doorways. and It was necessary to
nave the police clear the entrance Two were ad-
mitted through the parsonage The meeting result
ed In the election Of the present staff of officers
Inc Following day, DR.. Lee says. the secretary OF
the Presbytery made this Injunction IF you do
not compel your session to do say you will
find yourself up against a stone wall and will be
compelled to retire.
Dr. Lee says that members OF the Presbytery in
meeting put It up to him" as follows: III you do
not retire. the Presbytery will take the severest
action and put you out If you do not resign. you
will be nil II you retire from that church we will
al do our best to that you taken care Of "a
In conclusion, DR.. Lee says;
This pastor. session and church have borne the
heaviest afhicton. forced upon US in the last two
years. We have not taken this step of withdraw
ing from the Presbytery of New-York IN haste or
anger put only as necessary for the highest inter
ests OF this church We have peace, harmony and
quiet within this church and not wishing TO be
In trouble longer, the church has quietly with
drawn from the Presbytery Of New-York. to do fits
work in peace.