New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-26
CHURCH LOYAL
TO DR.. HILLS
AS STORM GROWS
Love for Old Plymouth
Sways Pensioners, as
i'm Beecher'S Time.
PASTORS TROUBLES
MAY REACH COURT
Charges and Counter Charges
Made by Clergyman's Counsel
and His Former Manager.

While the storm is brewing and the
clouds appear TO be settling lower over
historic Plymouth Church. Brooklyn.
and its pastor, the Rev. Dr. Newell
Dwight Hills. the crisis has not yet
come. For the sake Of Old Plymouth
first and because Of the esteem and love
in which the majority Of the 1000 mem
bers Of the congregation hold their pas
tor. despite the recent unpleasant dis
closures OF his business speculations,
the storm may never break with full
force, If the influential members can
help il.
Some of the older Pensioners, in
GLIDING members of he board of trus-
tees, are used TO turbulent times with
In the walls Of the famous old edifce,
which has been a storm centre period
eally since 1t was founded, in 1s47.
Peaceful times, however. prevailed dur
ing the ten years ministry of DR.. Ly-
man Abbott, who succeeded Henry Ward
Beecher at his death. in 1887. until the
coming Of DR.. Hills, sixteen years ago.
Irrespective Of the controversies
around Beecher and Hills. concerning
more essentially their personal affairs,
there has always been a deeply rooted
feeling Of loyalty for the organization
and good name OF the church, perhaps
in defiance Of the OPINIONS Of many of
the members as 70 the merits of the
issues involved.
DR.. Hills Shows Concern.
That is virtually the situation to-
dav as far as it relates to the church
proper. DR.. Hills himself has shown
concern for the interest Of the church
frst by his policy of reserve in dis
cussing his own affairs in detail, in
the face Of urgent advice from some Of
his closest friends to hit back harder
and more openly at has adversarles IN
the present dispute.
Yet there is every indication at this
time that the controversy between
Frank L. Ferguson. former chairman OF
the board Of trustees and for many
Years manager of DR.. Hilliss business
affairs, and the pastor Will lead al!
parties into court, as in the time OF
Beecher. The bitterness between the
two men has already been shown by
the publication Of some Of their cor
Iespondence.
Most of the members of the board Of
trustees, Frederick W. Starr, chairman;
T. W. Lauderdale, Otto I. Kelmer,
George W. Mabie +. c. Pinkham, Theo,,
dore +. Merseles, Seabury y. Haley and
J. Bliss Coombs, maintain a respectful
silence. Several of them are known 10
hold DR.. Hillis's notes, or bonds. They
all want as lite publicity Of DR.. Hillis's
affairs as possible, for the sake OF Ola
Plymouth, and they all profess loyalty
and affection for their pastor. Mr.
Coombs probably expressed the attitude
of the trustees and other prominent
members Of the church when he said;
There is no doubt about Dr.. Hillis's
inability in business affairs. He has
made a mess Of that end of things. A
minister has no right TO 60 into busl-
ness.
No Question of Loyalty.
But there is no questior e the 10y
atty OF the majority OF tho en- men,
bers 70 their pastor in his ..o ent trou-
bles. The whole thing seems 20 resolve
itself into business dispute between
Mr.. Ferguson and DR.. Hills. Like other
business differences, that ought to be
settled in a business fashion, which
should have no real bearing on church
matters"
DR.. Hills has received hundreds Of
letters from members Of the church,
since he told the congregation about
his financial reverses last Sunday, ex-
tending sympathy and support. They
have come from the rank and file as
we'll as from prominent and wealthy
Pensioners. Some Of them have Of
fered financial assistance. Some OF
them couple his name tenderly with
the best traditions Of Beecher and old
Plymouth.
Mr.. Ferguson opened his batteries
again yesterday against DR.. Hills and
his attorneys. General Horatio c. King
and Charles r. Lark. He declared that
DR.. Hills was likely 70 make a second
dramatic penitential outburst" from