Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-04-13

A serious schism is on in Newark
Presbyterian circles over the confirma-
ton of the Rev. William ]. Dawson
the writer and lecturer, as virtual pas
tor of the old First Presbyterian
Church That was made plain today
when the Rev. DR.. Robert Scott Inglis
be appealed to the synod in October
to determine if any Presbyterian church
can take in as pastor a minister of
another denomination until he has re-
linquished his former affiliations, and
has been formally received into the
fold.
DR.. Inglis declares that the appoint
ment of DR.. Dawson to the First
Church was made admittedly in viola
ton of the rules of the presbytery by
even the members Of the Presbytery
who voted for him.
when I protested that the laws of
the church forbid what they did some
came to me and said that they knew it
was illegal, but an easy way out of it,
he said 1T seemed to be the idea that
since the First Presbyterian wants DIR.
Dawson it can get him even if he will
not give over the Congregationalism
that he has not preached in several
years.
Newark Went Beyond New York.
The Newark Presbytery has goDe
further than the Fifth Avenue Church
in New York dared to CO. For Dr.
Jowett, himself a Congregationalist in
England, brought over to preach TO
them, gave up Congregationalism for
Presbyterianism the day after he ar
rived in America. DR. Dawson has
given no indication that he intends to
come over TO the Presbyterian Church
And the law says that ne must be re-
ceived into the church even before such
an affirmation as the Presbytery gave
him last night"
The Rev. DR.. Dawson, just in town
from a long list of Chautauqua engage
ments-thoueh he's been filling the
First Presbyterian pulpit for several
Sunday-did not seem seriously dis
turbed over the proposition that the
synod might overrule the presbytery'
action of last night and turn him out.
As a matter of fact the reverend
gentleman was busy moving into the
First's parsonage IT 1923 Broad street.
and he laughed the tolerant smile of
all oroughly-equipped Chautauquans
when the reporter hoped that the synod
in October might not feel so badly
about his case that 1t would take him
from his new pastorate before he was
barely settled. He said:
Il have been selected by the First
Presbyterian Church of Newark as its
supply pastor for a Year and the Pres
bytery has confirmed it. The Presby-
terry has made me also a corresponding
member of that body"
Until l came to Newark TO fill the
pulpit here. at the request of the mem
( bers Of the First Presbyterian Church.
] had not been preaching regularly in
+ some years. 1t is true that when |
] preached last it was as a Congrega-
/ tional minister. and / am Congrega-
/ tional minister still. The sole criticism
+ that could be made is one of techni-
+ cality and adherence to the letter OF
: the law. But so far as law is con-
4 cerned 1 will Soy that l have a perfect
/ right to preach in the First Presby-
terian Church under its charter. for
+ the First Presbyterian Church was first
+ chartered as a Congregational church.
and I think that its charter antedates
/ the present laws of the presbytery and
: synod.
j II do not intend to avow my ale
+ gience to the Presbyterian Church AZ
/ the present time. even though DR.
Jowett did so. If it comes to case
+ of a permanent pastorate / may com
slider the matter further than / have
Members of the First Presbyterian
/ Church and of the Third Presbyterian
/ Church are divided over the legality
1 Lilies and Roses for Easter at Philips
i Bros 93s Broad St and 491 Orange st.