The Washington times., 1909-02-26
CHURCH DISSENTERS
FORM NEW BRANCH
independent Congregation
Outgrowth of Luther Place
Memorial Trouble.
ACUTE CONFLICT
GIVEN AS CAUSE
New Organization at Meeting De-
plores Conditions in
Parent Church.

Acting with authority OF members OF
the new Independent Lutheran congre-
cation, formed of members who sever
ed relations with Luther Place Memoir
ial Church, q committee this morning
issued a comprehensive statement Of
their position regarding their reasons
for severing relations with the older
congregation.
The Issuance OF this statement is one
OF the first official acts OF the indepen-
Gent congregation which has just per-
fected a temporary organization and
which will hereafter be known as the
Independent Lutheran Congregation.
The congregation has made arrange
ments to hold services regularly in the
Confederate Veterans Hall and a Sun
day school has also been organized.
At the services next Sunday morning
the Rev. Arthur Sedgwick, formerly of
worcester. Mass, viii conduct the
services. Roland Roderick has been en-
gagged to conduct the music.
The statement issued today follows:
Position Explained.
Misleading reports concerning the
withdrawal of members Of the congre-
cation from Memorial Lutheran Church
that in justice to ourselves and the pub
lie our position should be made clear. ="
I'VE deny that the congregational
meeting Of February was either called
for the purpose OF, or had as an object,
the eviction of the pastor from his pull
,oit. as claimed by his supporters
The real object of that meeting as
stated in the call was the consideration
m the designations OF certain members
of the church council, the election OF
their successors. the consideration OF
the financial affairs OF the churcn anu
such other business as the conBreSa-
ton should see ST to discuss
Acute differences Of opinion mao
arisen in the council on the question OF
submitting these matters TO speclal
congregational meeting, and the opposl-
tion of the pastor and some or MS
supporters had been so bitter as 10 De
stroy the possibility of harmonious &C
rion in the council and to cause three
members to present their designations
Reasons for Withdrawal.
The results of the congregational
meeting Of February l. were so unsats-
factory that a large number or our
members felt that they could not con
sclentiously continue 10 worship at the
Memorial Church under existing condl-
lions. They decided, therefore, TO with
IrayU The reasons for this withdrawal
were furnished in a set or resolutions
adoUted at a business meeting OF the
new congregation, held on W edneSday
evening. and are substantially as io4'
lows: .a
THE arbitrary, parliamentary and
In the opinion OF many, Unfair rulings
Of the pastor, while presiding over the
congregational meeting Of FEBRUARY l.
.s22The bitter opposition OF the pas
1or 10 the efforts OF members OIL JIle
council TO improve conditions III the
church and TO place before the mem Der pc :
of the congregation the status OF me
fnances and records, which opposition
resulted in the resignation or four OF
five Of our lay members or the coun-
Gil and Of the acting treasurer OF the
church. s -
undesired services Of the Rev Charles
II. Butler. as assistant TO the pastor
Cause Deep Seated.
1T will thus be seen that while the
Immediate cause OF the withdrawal OF
these members was the manner in which
the meeting Of February 1 was conduct
cd the main causes we're more deeply
seated. being in reality the elimination
of years OF dissatisfaction with the con
ditionS in the church, which conditions
IN the opinion Of some. were responsible
for the evident retrogression in all de-
Ia rtmentB Of the church Work.
Another grave cause OF dlssausfac-
ton was the attempt on the part or the
pastor Of the church 10 install ms son
The Rev. 9. II. Butler, as assistant pas
tor when the latter returned 10 the
Memorial Church, after the severance
OF his pastoral relations with the kelSeI
Memorial Church, OF this city.
While some members OF the conBre-
cation were willing 20 aCcede 10 thelI
pastors wishes in this regard it is he
HeVed that the majority Of the congre-
cation was opposed TO the Rev Charles
n Butler serving the church in this ca
nscftv and this feeling has been voiced
openly on many occasions, even by some
OF the pastors present supporters.
Acted Unanimously.
The unaniInity with which the with
drawing members have acted and th'
success which has, so far, attended
lheir movement furnishes the strOnges
evidence OF what might have been &C
complished in the mother church, hat
the conditions there been favorable.
When these members first Withdrew
1he1y felt that In whatever steps the'
took they would like TO act together
Consequently they met and effected
Temporary orga nization for one montl
in order TO give time for careful con
sideratiOn Of the subject
AT the meeting Wednesday evening
This temporary organization was con
tiuued for a further definite period a
an independent Lutheran Memoria
body, with the understanding that on
object IS solely religious worship anC
that any continuance Of the recent con
troversV Is 10 be carefully avoided
Having with us "A large number or thos
who were formerly the most activ'
workers IN the Memorial Church "
have every reason 10 expect the SToWtl
OF our movement