New Britain herald., 1925-02-26
PhinuiM Me.us

Congregation Divided Over Resignation of Rev. J.C. Libby PYTHIAN SISTERS SOCIAL Catholic Church Notes-Rcv. J. c.
 Ward Convalescing-Present Play
 Tonight-Lcgion Auxiliary Meets
 -Plainyille Briefs.
 That there is a serious split in the Advent Christian church over the resignation of Rev. J. c. Libby as pastor has come to light through members of the church who sup port the pastor. Frank Hallock. well known blacksmith who con- ducts an establishment in the rear of the post office building stated to- day that a serious condition exists due to the difference of opinion on the treatment accorded to the re- cent pastor and although he would not give all the reasons for the dissension, he said that one of the most important reasons is the man. ner in which the pastor was liter ally forced to retire because of the reductions in his salary by the of ficers.
 Mir. Haliock said that there is a small group which controls the church and these have been respon- sibe for MT. Libbys resignation. He stated that MT. Libbys salary was cut several times and he was forced
 because of the small amount of
 money being taken in at the church, to resign. He said that many mem-
 bers had failed to donate to the church's exchequer and the money that was contributed was accepted and the running expenses of the church were taken out and the pas tor was given what was left. Near the end of the stay of MT. Libby ' money was so scarce there, that il
 would not be possible for the pastor
 to live on the small pittance he was
 receiving, it is claimed.
 MT. Hallock stated that three fourths of the congregation were be, hind the pastor. He spoke of tho high regard In which Mir. Libby i:
 held by people outside of Plainville He stated that he has accompanied Mir. Libby to other cities where th' |, minister has conducted services, ant in all of them large numbers hav' l come forward which is a proof 0 the powers for good of the loca 7 man.
 7 A committee formed from anon, l the members of the church dis l aussed the situation with a view 0 l fighting the alleged wrongs whicl exist. This committee states that i l "iIf 'V lto uliiioGI ic INL IIlS pNopi : of PlainVille know of the true stat of affairs which exists in the churcl even if it Is found necessary to pos
 bills on the telephone and telegraph
 poles about the town and its out skirts. This will be done because the members of the committee fee
 that the exact condition of affair , leading up to the resignation of Mir
 Libby should be known. They fee . that affairs at the church are no being conducted properly and vii : attempt to have things changed sc that the next pastor who takes III the burden will have an Opportunit! of attending to his work and alsc
 receive a salary large enough t | support himself and his family. They cite a number of instance I in the past where the pastors of tn, ] church have been forced to take III
 side work as a means of livelihood ) because the members of the churcl = did not support them. Pastors 0
 NfiiNi NAlul NiItS III | IqliNlllV utCl,
 the situation that has arisen in tn,
 Advent church and the friends o
 the congregation hope that the diff ficulties which now beset them, ma,
 be strengthened out in the near flu |, ture.
 o Observe Anniversary
 Pythian Temple. No. 20, Pythial ' Sisters, observed the third anniver
 sary of the institution of the tempI
 last night in Odd Fellows hall. Tn , occasion also marked surpris :, party held in joint honor of the oc
 casion and of the birthday of Mrs n Jennie Hlckok, who was the frs o most excellent chief of the temple. Y, The evening was started witt the comforting of the degree on n class of seven candidates and fol
 lowing the business session. th
 members grouped around a larg
 birthday cake which was marke, i, both for the temple and Mrs '' Hickok. Mrs. Hickok was given tn
 honor of cutting the cake and the
 she was presented with q gold piec
 by the members of the temple. t Visitors were present from Hart Il ford, New Britain, and Bristol an l. refreshments were served to top th q evening off.
 '- Catholic Church Notes
 One of the largest congregations