New-York tribune., 1909-01-16
MAY ENJOlN TRINITY
COURT rs LAST RESORT TO
SAVE ST. JOHNS.
Legislature Nay Also Be asked to
Come to did of Chapel-Another
Offer Is Rejected.

A special committee OF st. Johns Chapel met
last night, and the project of attacking Trim
ity's charter of 1914. by which she controls the
majority of the Protestant Episcopal real es-
tate in New York, was considered The posi-
bility of applying to the courts for an injunction
to prevent Trinity from closing st. John 5
Chapel on February l was also discussed
The matter Of appealing to an authority
higher than Trinity to settle controversy over
which the entire Protestant Episcopal Church
is becoming stirred has been taken up in the
light of what is now believed 10 he Trinity's
final word to those who have been fighting TO
save the old house Of worship
1t became known yesterday that John b Pine,
I. n Phelps Stokes and others. who have
formed an association with the purpose of en-
dowing ST. Johns and relieving Trinity OF its
care had received from the corporation re
fusal OF their offer made before the meeting OF
the rector and vestry last Monday night It Is
said that this offer was considered for only a
few minutes by the corporation. and that the
reply made to Mr.. Pine and his associates was
as lacking in explanation that received at
the same time by Lewis W. Smith. representing
st. Johns Chapel in answer to a petition
from the congregation asking for reconsider
alton of the decision to close
Both replies from Trinity stated that it was
close the chapel in Varick street.
Lewis ". Smith. member Of st. Johns con
gregation's special committee, said last night
after the meeting that the aid Of the courts and
the Legislature might be invoked not only TO
save ST Johns, but also to test the right Of
Trinity to administer the property received un-
der the early grants for the use of the Protes-
tant Episcopal Church in this city. it has
been the policy of the corporation since the
massage Of the act Of 1914 which became law
only by the statute Of limitation The other
members of the committee are John Burke and
Gustavus Shell
We are not through with Trinity yet said
Mr.. Smith we realize now that nothing We
can say TO that corporation will cause 1t to
change its ironbound determination to close st.
Johns whether Il has one COMMUNICATE or five
thousand We have learned that II Is not facts
about the usefulness OF the work at the chapel
that can interest Trinity in maintaining 1t. We
shall not go any further in our efforts to save
the chapel bv any such methods
..Rut there are other courses open The
thought Of securing an iniunCtiou against the
corporation has been considered b. many 81
the members and 1t is Dossib" that some such
action may be taken. although no definite steps
have Yet been begun
aside from the matter Of an injunction and
our effort to save the chapel Ne NAV so TO the
Legislature Nothing that we can do 20 make the
~ornoration suffer for its injustice 80 It's trust
and a Christian community such as St. John
ministers to Will be left undOne- The leader ot
the 1st Republican Assembly District, MT. Rose
is member Of the chapel. and IT viii be quite
possible and likely that he viii interest hls
political friends in movement to have TRINITY
position and methods investigated We think
that. with Governor Hughes and the present
Legislature 10 stand for right and justice We
would have difficulty in proving that Irih-
ity has been false to its trust
There is a strong feeling Of bitterness in the
congregation Of ST. Johns against Or Man
ming whom everybody holds directly responsible
for closing the chapel one Of his reasons, we
think is based form OF service. which IL
higher than DR.. Manning has permitted
throughout the parish since his re-torate be
gan"