The Washington herald., 1909-01-18

After the failures Of peacemakers TO
disturb it. the rock Of harmony in Luther
Place Memorial Church has been rudeIy
shaken.
The old and historic house OF worship,
which nestles snugly on the edge Of
Thomas Circle, is to-day. apparently. di-
vided into two hostile camps. Both Ia
ment and deplore the sudden turn OF af-
fairs. Each regards the other in the
light Of an erring and wayward child.
almost regretting that open dissension
was forced while the hope Of honorable
peace within the pale remained.
The storm center Of the bitter tight 70
come viii be. It is said. Rev. John c.
Butler. founder and father Of the church
and sin its proud pastor. This venerable
and universally esteemed preacher IS
about TO celebrate his eighty-third birth
day anniversary Sixty Of these years
be has passed in two Washington
pulpits. the last thirty-six Of them in
the Luther Place Memorial Church. He
broke ground for the church. he guided
II through al its early yicissitudes. he
has lived 10 see It grow prosperous and
powerful and to-day. hale and hearty.
the oldest minister in Washington. Wig
orous and buoyant as one twenty years
younger. is stiH the dominant figure in
the ehurch's affairs.
Rule of the Congregation.
There is a progressive element IN the
church. Few OF the .old guard" vino
saw the edidce rise, stone by stone, re-
main Young blood is the cry. The right
Of tise congregation TO rule IS urged. The
patriarchsl attitude of y Butler toward
the parishioners. for which some love
him. interfeTes with the doctrine Of con-
gTegaiionaI Independence. according To
Others.
A squabble of church politics Is iunll-
nent, and both factions. deeply depIoring
IT. declare they cannot help IL. There is
suppressed excitement and agitation in
the congregation. which viii. ii IS said.
break forth in a food at a congrega-
tionaI meeting called by the church coun-
cil for Tuesday evening. February /
At the close OF his sermon yesterday
morning Dr. Butler read the following
communication
Washington. d. C.. Jan 9. 300.
To the Members q the Memorial Lutheran Church,
Washington. d. c.
tree,l1s-Ne hereby tender cur resignati0us as OH
Czrs cf tie Memorial LstherAn Church. and request
thar sCch designations be zccepted at the earliest
possible date b. thc congregation VerT respect
iuliy. ANTON HETTMULLER
?. r BARCLAY.
F. e H WURDENAN
Dr.. Buffers action took many OF the
congregation, which was extremely large.
by surprise. a moment later a motion 10
accept the designations was seconded.
and carried by an overwhelming vote.
There were bat three noes" it is said.
A large proportion OF those present did
not vote.
Following this. DIR. Butler announced
that congregation meeting would be
held Tuesday, February 9, for the purpose
O. filing the vacancies thus created.
Admits He Was Confused.
One Of the three councilmen whose
designations were thus accepted, Messrs.
Heitmuller. Barclay. and Wurdeman. said
last evening that Dr. Buffers action in
reading this communication completely
confused him. He said DR.. Butler had
fatty refused 10 read. the designations the
previous SUNDAY. They we're handed n
him just as The service opened. The pas
tor declined 10 bring them before the
congregation at the tire.
/ Believing this 10 be the final stand Of
Dr. Butler. the church council, composed
I Of Anton HeitmuIler. president: Albert
Z .. Spangier. secretary: L. F. Randolph
I F r. Barclay, end F. c. II. Wurdeman
held a meeting last Thursday night and
authorized the printing Of a statement
Important Communication.
This communication was distributed lr
al the pews yesterday morning. but Mr.
Butler entirely ignored ii, it IS said. I;
/ follows:
By the Council Of the Memorial Evangelical Lu
theran Church
Washington D. c. jan Il. 1907.
Whereas. at II a. n. Sunday, January 70. 1863
the designations q three members Of this ccunc
we're handed 70 the pastor. Rev. J. G. Butler
D. D., as follows:
Washington. D. c. Jan. 9. Ios.
/ To the Members q the Memorial Evangelical
Lutheran Church Washington. D. c.:
"Greering-We hereby tender cur designations 2.
officers Of the Memorial LutheTaH Church ard re
guest that such designations he accepted al thu
earliest possible date by the congregation Very re
specially
fSignedl ANTON HEITMULLER
- r. BARCLAY.
FREDK. g r. WCRDEMAN''
Pc it resolved. Therefore b. this council as
senhled thar congregational meeting be called. tc
convene IN ire church paTio-s az 5 r. n. AIopday
February l. 1872 f0T the purpose 0s considering the
acceptance q the rcsignations above stated and
fcr the election q sleccsSoTs 20 The Offices zhicI
nay thereby be made racznt. for the consideration
q the financial sziTs Of the church. and such othe.
matters as nay be pertinent to the future welfare
q tts orgsnizs son further that 800 ccpies of thi,
res5lutCn shan be printed fer distribution in The
caETch fsfo-s tlc regular services On the I7th 2ih
and 5lst dzys of JznusTy lso9- further that .
cammittes os no members Be appointed By thi,
coascil q have this resolution pTi-ted and dis
tributed IS TEuTased sor shove
ANTON HETTAIULLER,
President ot Council
attest: ALBEIT D. sPANGLER. Secretary.
Those OF the congregation who thu:
believed they we're 70 act upon the resig.
nation at the congregational meeting for
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