The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-19
HEWLETT RECTOR
QUITS AFTER FIGHT
The Rev. w. P. Kcmpcr Differs
With Vcstry on Method Of
Church Government.
I'LL HEALTH ALSO FIGURES

HEWLETT. L. l., Apr1i 1s.-Ffve years
Of contention between the vestrymcn OF
Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church
hcre and their rector, the Rev. William
Poyntell Kemper. have ended in the
resignation Of Mr.. Kemper. Jtc an
nounced his decision from the pulpit on
Sunday. and II has been accepted by the
yestry. But tho rector feels that he has
won what NE was fighting for n that
his successor will have an easier task
than he had.
For forty years the church has existed
under he Congregational form Of gov
eminent. When Mr.. Kemper took
charge Of the parish five years ago ne
decided that II was anomalous for a
Protestant Episcopal church to be man
aged according to the rules OF another
denomination. Friction with h vestry
developed from his efforts to make the
changes that he insisted upon and Is
the cause Of his resignation. although III
health figured in the formal oun
ment. MIR. Kenyer said to-day:
There really hasn't been much an
tagonism. but in order 10 get the facts
straight I will say this:
For years certain things had been
done on "A Congregational basis, and it
was my business to see that they were
done according 10 the canons and forms
OF our own church. For instance. the
vestry had never made a financial state
ment. There "a no binding rule about II.
hut there ought to he such a statement
every three months. and Certainly once
a year. I at last succeeded in getting
the statement. although I was opposed.
with a Methodist and a Presbyterian
among its members the makeup of the
,cs:ry was rather peculiar. and as the
older members were used TO the old ways
Il, is perhaps not surprising h I had
trouble in making the necessary p re-
forms.
Another thing-there was n music
committee which Insisted ON selecting all
the music. singers. &c. without consult
ing me. although in the Episcopal
church the music Is an integral part OF
the formal service ana Is hilutr tic cpll-
troll of the rector. a. I insisted it houl
he in Trinity Church. b
Then there was the matter OF the
sexton. The yestry thought they were
to boss him. ! told them the sexton
must be under the direction OF the rec
tor, and they reb.ll.d. They o these
matters to Bishop burgess and lie told
them I WAS right. ] think they see IT,.
too. now.
THE major part Of the congregation
feel that ! have been fighting their bat
ties. but there IL no question about tho
Nestry being against me, with the eN-
ception of one man. | old them that
even II they wanted me | wouldn't stay
for $4,000 a year. I'm going to Penn
sylvauia and camp for five months |
MIR. Ecmper's resignation was dated
To take effect on June |. but he may en-
trust the parish TO a supply" until
then. His salary is $1,000 a year. with
the use uf the rcctory. The church has
about 500 members and an endowment
of S55.ooo.
The yestrymen are Divine Hewlett,
senior warden benjamin q. Nard.-
water. junior warden Carlton Macy.
president of the Queens Borough Gas
and Electric Company cN-Judgo VIII
lam i. jay. Charles H.. SimondS, Camp
bell Locke. Joseph l.. Hewlett, Eugene
I. Bicknrll and Henry Otis Chapman.