New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-19
MANY GREET DIR. LEE.
ALLOWED TO PREACH.
Pastor Issues Statement-Sure OF
Ground, He Says

| No attempt was made by the trustees of the
| Presbytery to prevent the Rev DR.. John l" Lee
from occupying the pulpit of the Westminster Fres-
| byterian Church. in West 23d-st. yesterday In
spite of the fact that the officers the church had
been served with notice that the pastoral rela-
lions Of DR.. Lee had been dissolved and that they
would not permit him longer to occupy the pulpit
or manse at the risk OF ecclesiastical civil pro-
ceedings the members turned out in large numbers
| to greet Dr. Lee, whom they still hold as their
pastor
| The congregation at the morning service was
somewhat larger than usual. Before the sermon
Dr. Lee made the following statement, which he
| addressed TO My dear people"
It is proper for me to advise you not to be dis
tur6ed in the least by any statements from nv ~n 9t
few days in the papers of our cry: purporting to
Certain resolutions made public day or two ago
by the trustees Of the Presbytery of NeV'-York
ehufcR no or to myse f4e o %e to
From Of PS Longer o@ d @
fear any Of these statements or similar state
form of pretentious threats or commands:
We are assured that the property of this church
belongs to this church under the laws of the State
Of New; York without question. and is to be con-
trolled by this church and by nobody else.
Let it here be clearly stated and understood that
psher this church nor have With raw from the
OF York and that we continue to be Presby-
Presbyterian faith and doctrine. am your pastor
and shall so continue.
us. and, trusting ourselves to Him whose we are
ena We tS vd e US EG 6 ba R and
harvest --'-' IL Inns WHO" IL ''pe iof the
Although the minister, preaching on Gods Mes
sage to Us made no direct reference to the trouble
with the Presbytery members Of the congregation
saw in 1t peculiar application in the present crisis
His text Joshua !. SO. The latter verse reads;
Have not 1 commanded thee? Be strong and Of
good courage; be not affrighted. neither be thou
dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest"
After the sermon the members of the church
crowded around the pastor and congratulated him
on the courageous stand he had taken in opposi-
ton to the Presbytery. He held reception for
nearly three-quarters Of an hour
In the afternoon Dr. Lee said: you may be sure
we did not go into this fight without being OF
our ground Before this thing is ended the Presby-
terry will have learned thing or two"
The trustees OF the Presbytery seem equally sure
OF their ground but refuse TO say just what action
they propose TO take to establish their authority
over the church.
We have consulted counsel and have mapped
out our course" said John Yereance secretary of
the trustees. yesterday. But we do not propose
is oelleved that some court action will be started
uy the middle of the week.
II was asserted on good authority last night that
me Rev T. NJ. Deems, of Hornesvile, N W
Church when it was in West 22d-st. was at the
T69rss OF the trustees Of the Presbytery last
10 act for him It is not explained just how he
OON4N oO DIou6Il INTO the civil action to take the
property away from the Westminster Church but
II is thought that possibly the old organiza ton
sun i owes him something. In 1899 the old West
Minister Church in West 22d-st united with the
west 2Sd-st. church to form the present Organi-
zation The old church was sold for $50 600. it is
SAD. OF which amount $4,000 was used for re-
pairs on the property of the West 23d-st church
Wnich Is now used by Westminster Church A GER
tain amount was paid to Mr.. Deems. it is under
STOOD, and the remainder was used for the running
expenses or the church Mr.. Deems, it is said
discussed these financial transactions with the
trustees Of the Presbytery who have an idea that
they may have important bearing in refutine
the claim that the property of the Westminster
Church belongs solely to ii a corporation. and
not as a Presbyterian church subject to the rules
Of the Presbytery. ~ laws
An officer of the church on hearing the story
about Mr.. Deems said: -'
The records show that the church does NOT oue
~: DeeIns cent He might give the Presbvterv
,usteeS h[ty powers of attorney for all the good
~ ~ "ouIa 40 them. 1t is just effort on their
part 10 scare us They are pretty hard pressed for
d eHance TO sue II they have to go almost out OF
the STATE IN an effort to something 10 sI1e ON