New-York tribune., 1916-02-28
Madison Av. Pastor, Yield
ing to Appeals, With
draws Resignation.
CHURCH TO AID HIM
IN NATIONAL CRUSADE
Leader and Congregation Will
Strive to Awaken u. S. to the
Crisis After the War.


I Dr. Charles A. Eaton, pastor Of the
Madison Avenue Baptist Church, who
three weeks ago offered his resigna-
tion 70 carry on what he thought the
more important work Of arousing the
nation to sense of its present re-
sponsibilities, Yesterday formally with
tccw his resignation and outlined what
he considers new movement in
church activities.
The exact programme with which DR..
Eaton and his church intend to enter
the work has not been gwen ont The
general plan is TO relieve the pastor
and his co-workers OF as much Of the
purely parochial work as possible and
to devote the energies of the church
TO a campaign, through the press and
pulpit, TO present the problems which
this country must face at the end of
the war.
Dr.. Eaton's statement was received
by the congregation IN silence. AZ he
ceased reading he tossed the paper
on the pulpit and said. with laugh
"l'm awfully glad TO be able TO read
that I'd rather be pastor Of this
church than any on earth. We don't
always agree-no two Bapdsts ever did
agree-but we love one another and
, stand together as "a unit
Yields to Appeals.
After the service the congregation
locked TO the front of the churca and
gave Dr. Eaton an informal reception.
DR.. Eaton's statement reads:
"On Sunday, February 6, rendered
my resignation as your pastor. On
Monday, February 7, in the annual
meeting Of the church, you passed the
following resolution by an oyerwhelm-
ing majority:
"Resolved. That the pastors fesig-
nation be not accepted, as we oeheye
= would be disastrous 10 the Welfare
Of the Madison Avenue Baptist Church
10 lose his ministry at this time. and
that we pledge ourselves 10 support
the pastor rs individuals
"In addition, have received hun
dreds Of letters and personal MESSAGES
urging me 20 remain IN this pulpit
and TO DO my WORK as your represen
tive and spokesman.
Your unsolicited and spontaneous
action lays upon me burden from
which ] cannot liz honor turn aside,
and | therefore withdraw my reslgna-
ton. i'm accordance with your request.
"ln taking this step am assured that
we are in full agreement as 10 the place
and function Of the pastor in a Chris
tian church The pastor IS not the
hireling Of the church. nor Of any mem
bers. nor croup Of members lie IS an
ambassadors from the kingdom Of God,
and the Church is his embassy. lie
does lot exist for the Church, nor the
church for him. They exist together
for the service of mankind IN all nose
things that make for character, free
dom, jus tice and peace. The Church is
the conscience Of the world.
Church Must Meet Crisis"
"After personal consultation with Of
fcers and members, / am authorized TO
make a public statement Of our posi-
lion as o Church toward the trcmen-
dous issue now confronting our coun-
try, as we'll as the rest OF the world.
We make this statement because we be-
lieve that the time has come when
every church and every man ought 10
stand up and be counted for the things
that make lire worth while and which
are iu danger Of destruction
"As this moment the whole world IS
under stra % which threatens % break
doWn the institutions OF civilization,
bought and buildcd by the blood of
heroic generations Our country faces
the Cravest dangers. The black flood
Of war rolls toward re from without.
while divided counse's, social lneili-
cheney. political imbccility. intellectual
confusion reign within. II in this SUI
preme moment the churches can give
no guidance we can never again claim
the allegiance Of men.
"A new age is coming 20 the birth
an age Of universal race content, OF
universal commerce IN ideas, ideals. in
sttutions and men. as well as IN com
mod ties. in this new aye nothing can
endure but the real. The Chri stian
Church profe ses 20 possess and en-
body the universal principles Of the
" spiritual kingdom Of God. Now Is our
time Of testing.
"ln this great work of rebuilding a
ruined world America ought TO lead.
But we are uuprepared in thought. IN
moral sense. in knowledge OF world
conditions, in statesmanship, IN diplo-
macy, in social and economic efficiency.
We even lack the most elementary
military precautions against unlawful
attack Surely il is high time TO wake
out Of sleep.
1.-THE Madison Avenue Baptist Church,
50 far as know. is tho first church in
America 20 enlist publicly for service
in the great work Of preparing our ma
ton 10 discharge its duty as "a wo!d
power. You have set noble example.
You have begun a mighty movement,
/ which | hope and pray may spread
until every church takes its place Of
lead arship and service in the great
cause. And ] am proud 20 be able TO
say that you have commissioned your
pastor 20 be your spokesman and rep
rosentative. accept she commission,
and shall do M best to be worthy Of
the trust"