New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-11
OLD PLYMOUTH EXCITED
! DIR. HILLS INDIGNANT.
Trustees Rent Church for Lecture to
Christian Scientists.

plan of the board of trustees of historic
plymouth Church, Brooklyn TO rent the build
ing to Christian Scientists for a lecture on
Thursday night caused much excitement among
the members of the church yesterday. When
the Rev. DR.. Newell Dwight Hills learned OF
the plan he was highly indignant. for he held
that Christian Scientists do not believe in the
'fatherhood of God and His personal love and
lead of each human child" 1t is proba BILE
there will be Christian Science lecture in
Plymouth Church on Thursday, for the men,
bers of the church held a meeting last night and
voted unanimously to ask the board of trustees
TO rescind their action in renting the church
DR. Hills first learned of the action of the
trustees yesterday morning when told by a re-
porter. He much surprised. and could not
understand how they had taken the step with
out consulting him.
This is the first time l have heard it," he
said. ION what ground did the trustees rent
the church to them?" he asked.
A statement by s. V. White. president of the
board of trustees read TO him.
personally" he said, Il do not believe in a
church teaching one day the fatherhood of God
and His personal love and lead of each human
child and the next day renting its building to a
lecturer who tears down that faith by distinct
denial Of the personality of God, with His low
ing providence and fatherly oversight. In
Congregational church. however. the trustees
have full charge of all buildings. and from their
decision there can be no appeal"
This makes you appear to be at variance with
the trustees" it suggested.
"Yes perhaps 1t does" replied Dr. Hills.
do you wish to appear in that light" he was
asked
THAT is my stand. I can't change it" was his
reply.
he first OFt Tho tiY,ov nst tha chi DrOh
came from Mr.. White. When seen by reporter
he said:
Il have not heard OF any complaints but II
there any persons who object to renting the
church 10 the Christian Scientists, call the
money of the Christian Scientists tainted they
keep right on obtecting. We have been
renting Plymouth for lectures and concerts for
forty years, to my knowledge The money
which get from this source is an important
part Of our income. The church is on the mar
ket, and any have it who wants it and
is able 10 pay for it, Why we came near rent
ing it to MIR. Bryan. but he took another hail
which was more centrally located. The rep
resentative OF the Christian Scientists who
came before the board paid up his money like
a gentleman. and he is going 10 have the church
for his lecture. do not know whether he Will
attempt TO proselyte or not"
After DR.. Hills had been informed OF the
trustees Rction Mr.. White listened TO his
criticism with great interest. He was indignant
that DR.. Hills should have taken such a stand.
DIR. Hills wouldn't haze break our con-
tract" he exclaimed. That wouldn't pe
Christian any more than the doctrines OF the
Christian Scientists Christian. The renting
OF the church for the lecture is purely bust
ness proposition. and the board OF trustees voted
for II unanimously. The reason that Dr Hills
did not know about II because he out
OF town. am sure that we would not have
voted against his wishes There has never
been the slightest friction between Dr. Hillis
and the board"
When President Robinson. OF the Third
Church of Christ. told why DR. Hills OBJ
jected to the use OF the church for the lecture.
he said:
"Dr. Hills labors under common misappre
hension OF the faith of the Christion Scientists.
We do believe in the fatherhood of God and his
personality and individuality. We do not be-
lieve that He is a magnihed form OF man II is
not possible for the finite mind Of man 10 grasp
His infinite personality"
At the close OF the prayer meeting last night
in Plymouth Church. General Horatio c. King,
the organist, asked the members to wait few
minutes and then he launched into attack
upon the trustees for taking the action they
did. He said he had for Mrs Eddy. that
money making ola woman. win fIytnoutn q
reputation he of the opinion that should
Christian Scientists hold meeting within its
walls, the would go all over the country
and work injury upon the historic church DIR.
Hills also said he was strongly opposed to the
action. The members then voted unanimously to
request the trustees to rescind their action,
Mr.. White was not at the meeting and was
surprised when he learned about 1t. He said
that, as the money had already changed hands.
the trustees would probably have TO keep their
end OF the contract unless the Christian Sci
entists decided not to hold the lecture.
MOTHER WON'T VISIT EVELYN THAW.