New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-13
ANNULS LEE PASTORATE
CRISIS At WESTMINSTER.
Presbytcry Votes to Take Charge of
Seeding Church.

The dispute between the New-York Presbytery
| ana the Rev. John L. Lee the pastor of the west
| minister Presbyterian Church, on West 2Sd-st' was
! brought to a head at the meeting of the Presny-
terry yesterday. The Presbytery accepted the
I withdrawal OF DR.. Lee from its membership. de-
clared the pastorship OF the Westminster Church
| vacant, and appointed the Rev. George Alexander
| pastor OF the University Place Presbyterian
| Church, moderator of the session of the West
minister Church.
This means that the Presbytery will take charge
attempt 10 take charge. of the affairs ana
property of the church, pending the appointment OF
another pastor. The Presbytery also designated
its own trustees as a committee to look after the
interests OF the Presbytery and the Presbyterian
Church in the real and personal property OF the
Westminster Church. which represents upward OF
sos. 600
1t is understood that DIR. Alexander will call
meeting of the session of the Westminster Church
shortly. The office OF moderator assumes a pas
toral vacancy and the moderator is designated 10
take charge of the church affairs.
DR.. Lee and his adherents in the church say that
the charter Is of special character. and gives 1t
the right TO withdraw from the Presbytery and
be conducted as independent Presbyterian
Church. The Presbytery holds the contrary and
will proceed Immediately to enforce its rights OF
control It holds mortgage of 226o on the church
property and says that some $4,000 contributed by
other churches for church extension gives the
Presbyterian Church at large an added interest IN
the preservation OF the Westminster Church as
member of the Presbytery.
The resolutions which embodied the sentiment of
the Presbytery submitted to the moderators
advisory council composed of the Rev. Charles II.
Farkhurst the Rev. Walter d. Buchanan, James
Yearance and George S. Humphrey. The resolu-
tons read in part:
Whereas. The pastoral relation between Joa9
10 exist by reason Of his abandoning the ministry
Ct the Presbyterian Church OF the GhTea s6fd
church. and becoming Independent.
dissolution by said act of withdrawal and record Of
the fact that the pastorate is so dissolved ana De
Resolved. That the pastorate Of Westminster
Church be n6d ena She Of the session
of Westminster Church; and 49,, .7,,,sa5 =, tho
unconstitutional proceedings when the Mestmn-
ster congregation withdrew on January ~; De 70
the trustees of the Presbytery for consideration
vised to safeguard and protect the property rear
and personal, of Westminster Church and enforce
Church and the members Of such bodies.
The origin of the trouble between the West
minister Church and the Presbytery grew out OF the
desire of Dr. Lee and portion of his congregation
20 obtain permission from the Presbytery TO mort
gage the church property for $4,000. The Presby-
terry frowned upon the proposition and the Vest
minister congregation split in twain
Last November 125 members OF the Westminster
Church resigned and joined the Old First Presby-
terlan Church, at 5th-ave. and nth-st, where the
Presbytery always meets. In December the rest
of the congregation, about two hundred Withdrew
from the Presbytery, declaring that the property
and the interests of the church would be best SUBJ
served IL 1t became independent.
The resignation of DR.. Lee two weeks ago pre-
cipitated the action taken by the Presbytery yes
terday. DR.. Lee had expressed the determination
10 pay off the mortgage of 1880 before the end
OF the month, and thereby cut off any claim that
the Presbytery might advance to the control OF
the church property. The Presbytery contends
that this will not avail
DR.. Lee said last night:
The Presbvtery Of New-York has nothing what
ever 10 do with with The Westminster
Church. we having WITHDRAWN and having severed
all connection with that body. shall remain the
pastor of the church, and viii go on with our
work lust as before action by the Preshytery was
taken We have examined carefully into the legal
aud ecclesiastical aspects Of the case, and We are
perfectly sure of our ground. Any action on the
part of the Presbytery 10 interfere with US will
mean them a loss Of time, effort ana their cause