Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-06-06
HENDERSON RESIGNS
With Third Congregational So'
 ciely For Sixteen Years.

Editor Waterbury Evening Democrat.
 Dear Sir:-A short time ago the Third Congregational church of this city received a legacy of $9,00O in money and now being amply provided with new means new era in It's his tory is about to begin under the lead- ership of new minister. Having along with the first minister solicit ed and obtained the funds that were needed to get the church started l6 years ago and pledged myself to stand by it till its permanent existence would be assured 1 take this oppor- tunity to turn over my trust to the new minister. My work in connec- tion with its organization and direc- ton as corporate body is now fin- ished. As church 1t has fallen far short of the expectations of its friends but we believe 1t has been worth all the thought and time and money ex- pended upon it in that 1t has clearly shown the defects of the Congrega- |tional way of fostering young churches. All the experience it has had was needed to fit it for the work now before it. The fathers seem to have thought that every Congrega- tional church at it's birth would be endowed with sufficient grace, wis dom and knowledge to get along alone, therefore no systematic care has ever been taken of them.
 If the founders of an industrial es- tabllshment made every new employe a director in the concern we can imagine what the result would be. Yet that is the plan on which an in corporated church is run. It is mere ly an imitation of church; spiritual life cannot thrive in it. It places temptations in mems way, tends to destroy character and is satan's own device for harassing ministers and nullifying their work. Dressed in a little brief authority some men soon become ridiculous. One of the com- mittees is called the executive com mittee, a. name which has led some to think that 1t must stand at the head of all things. Men seek for a place on 1t as eagerly as they seek for pub- lie office.
 For several years past it has been a growing custom for few of its members to come into church together after services have begun, causing comment to be made as to who these men are and why they are habitually so late. Someone has suggested that when they come in the minister should request the congregation to rise and salute the grand officers.
 While the people are anxious to hold reception for the newly chosen minister and his wife, and prepara- tions are now being made to hold 1t on the 11th inst it is quite possible that the Congregational ministers who have been invited may form themselves into an impromptu ecclesi- astical council and inquire into things. The other minister has neith- CT resigned nor been dismissed, al- though he has been perfectly willing for several months past to resign as soon as satisfactory arrangements are made; but no action has yet been taken by the church to bring about a settlement. He asserts that two men, whom the church ought to discipline, have continually dogged his steps since the beginning of the year and in the most insulting manner have demanded that he. retier at once from demanded that he retire at once from the pastorate without receiving the salary that Is due him. Although his usefulness was not in the slightest impaired, judging by the number that came to communion and the attend ance at regular Sunday and week day services, there were a few who tried to oust him, but he would only agree to retire when the new man was ready to step into the office and money matters had been satisfactorily settled. How little interest the peo- pie took in the matter was shown when committee of three was chos- en, each one separately by ballot, to look for new minister: one received five ballots, another seven and .an- other nine, and when the man whom they recommended was chosen a ris- Ing vote showed 26 in favor and none against. Publicity in the church Is as much needed as in the business world.
 Yours truly,
 JOHN HENDERSON, JR.
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