History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 86

Author: First Presbyterian Church in Morristown (N.J.)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Morristown, N.J. : "Banner" Steam Print
Number of Pages: 942

USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Morristown > History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1 > Part 86

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Voted, That the salary of Mr. Whitehead the Sexton, be increased from and after ist January, 1872, to the rate of five hundred dollars annually, conditionally upon his agreeing to devote, in addition to his hith- erto regular duties, as much of his time to the collection of dues to the Church as may be required of him by the Treasurer or Secretary of this Board. This arrangement to be considered as existing only during the pleasure of the Trustees.

6th March, 1872. Trustees. Theo. Little, Esq., was present as one of a committee of two appointed by the Session to confer

with the Trustees, A. Requa, Esq., the other member of said committee being unable to attend. The subject of conference was the resolution of the Trustees, relative to

occupation of Pews Nos. * * * and * which had been communicated to the Ses- sion. Mr. Little reported that the Session did not regard it to be proper to appro- priate any part of the weekly contributions of the Church to the payment either of the arrears or accruing pew rents of parties pleading inability to pay. He recommended that the matter be allowed to remain undis- turbed until next Parish meeting, when it could be brought up by the Trustees, (and discussed in connection with the financial report then to be made), and acted upon by said meeting. After considerable discussion of an informal nature the Board adjourned without taking any action on the subject.

20th March, 1872. Trustees. The follow- ing communication was received from the Session : " Resolved, That the Session re- commend to the Trustees that a leave of absence of four months be granted our Pas- tor, with the continuance of his salary ; and that the pulpit during that time be filled at the expense of the Church." Upon consid- eration it was thought best, before acting upon the communication, to ascertain whether subscriptions could be obtained to cover the cost of supplying the pulpit, and thus the action of Trustees become neces- sary only upon the points of leave of ab- sence and continuance of salary. The meet- ing was therefore adjourned to the call of the Secretary.

25 March, 1872. Trustees. Mr. E. T. Caskey reported subscriptions to a suffici- ent amount to cover the probable cost of supplying the pulpit during the pastor's absence, whereupon the following pre- amble and resolution were moved and unanimously carried, viz: Whereas, The estimated cost of supplying the pulpit dur- ing the proposed absence of Rev. J. A. French has been provided for by individual subscription, so that the expense of such supply will not fall upon the Society at large, and the action of the Trustees in that behalf has been rendered unnecessary,there- fore " Resolved, That the recommendation of the Session respecting the granting to

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the Rev. J. A. French a leave of absence of four months, with the continuance of his salary, be concurred in by the Trustees."

May 8, 1872. Trustees. The condition of the Grave yard and fences in rear of the Church was discussed and a form of circular adopted, which the Secre- tary was directed to have printed and a copy sent through the mail to each owner of a lot or lots and others known to feel an interest in the Burial Ground as the place of interment of friends or relations, setting forth the facts of its condition, &c., &c., and calling for voluntary donations or contribu- tions for the proposed object, aiming to raise at least $500.

May 23, 1872. Trustees. Application was made by Major H. M. Dalrymple, on behalf of the Assoc'n of the " Grand Army of the Republic," for the use of the church build- ing for the public exercises of the Assoc'n on 30th instant, the day designed as " Dec- oration Day." Consent was granted.

Sept. 18, 1872. Annual Parish meeting. Judge Richard W. Stites, Chairman. The Parish Clerk, Secretary. Seventeen persons present.

The Treasurer reported : Receipts, $6,- 107.98 ; disbursements, $6,139.60, making a deficiency of $31.62 ; of subscriptions to liquidate the debt $895.99 had been collected, and $916.13 had been paid on the debt.

A pulpit supply account, extraordinary, was also presented, showing $475. to have been received from individual subscriptions to defray the expense of supplying the pul- pit during the leave of absence granted the pastor, Rev. J. A. French, by the Session and Trustees.

The Trustees also reported, That the fund, for putting in order the fences and grounds of the Cemetery adjoining the Church. amounts at this date to $555., of which there remains the sum of $100.06 to be applied, when collected, to the purposes of the fence. The old paling fence on the north- erly and easterly sides of the burial ground has been thoroughly repaired, and strength- ened, and an entirely new tight board fence erected on the westerly side, The work of clearing the weeds, grass and undergrowth is in progress, and together with the im- provement of the paths will be continued until the fund is exhausted.

The following were elected Trustees : Messrs. A. B. Hull, Geo. W. Forsyth, James Anderson, Wm. E. Church, Wm. E. Bailey, Daniel Leek and Augustus Cutler ; and Charles E. Pierson was chosen Parish Clerk.

September 23, 1872. Trustees. Mr. For- syth was elected President ; William E. Church, Secretary ; Daniel H. Leek, Treas- urer.

Sept. 26, 1872. Trustees. The Secretary informed the Board that, on account of ill- health, Mr. William E. Bailey declined to serve as Trustee. The Music Committee was instructed to engage Mr. John R. Run- yon to conduct the musical services of the Church for the ensuing year at a salary of $400., with the express understanding that the Church will not divide his services as Chorister or Conductor with any other Church or congregation.

Oct. 1, 1872. Trustees. The Music Com- mittee reported, That Mr. Runyon declined to accept the proposition of the Trustees, and, his engagement having expired on the 30th ult., it was necessary to secure at once the services of some other Chorister. The matter was referred to Mr. Church, with power.

The Treasurer reported, That he had only about $300., in hand to meet the quarterly payment of salary now due the Pastor, and thereupon he was authorized to procure, if possible, from delinquent pew-holders who would not pay cash, promissory notes at 30 or 60 days for the amount due and have the same discounted.

. The following preamble and resolution were then adopted, and the Secretary was instructed to transmit a copy thereof to the Session. Whereas, the adoption by the Session, of the system of collection now in use in the Church, has had the effect to de- prive the Trustees of the amount usually raised by monthly collection for incidental expenses, and no provision has been made or exists for supplying such deficiency ; therefore, Resolved, That the amount col- lected on the last Sabbath in each month be and is hereby appropriated towards the payment of the current expenses of the Church.

Oct. 4, 1872. In compliance with request of the Session the following Trustees met the Session in conference, Messrs. Forsyth, Leek

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and Church. The Session announced two subjects upon which conference was de- sired. Ist. The appropriation by the Trus- tees of the collection for current expenses. 2nd. The action of the Trustees in appoint- ing a Chorister. In regard to the first, it was represented by the Session. that the system of collections now in use had been adopted by a Church meeting called for the purpose, and that the appropriation pro- posed, if carried into effect, would be likely to create dissatisfaction and cause a material falling off in the collection for that Sab- bath; and desired that the Trustees allow the matter to drop until the next Parish meeting. The Trustees, in reply, rep re- sented the need of money, the cutting off of the former supply, the lack of provision un- der the new system for meeting such de- ficiency, the fact that by the appropriation proposed, many non-pew-holders who were regular attendants and able to contribute to the expense of the Church, would so con- tribute, and many other reasons for their action. The Session requested that the Trustees would further consider the matter.

The second subject of conference was then taken up, and it appearing that the Session had been informed of the action of the Trustees in not renewing the engage- ment with Mr. Runyon, and in making an engagement with Mr. Koffer (such engage- ment having been made since the last meet- ing of the Board), the Trustees present de- sired to know what information (and from whom) the Session had received ; in answer to which request it was stated substantially that the late Chorister had informed the Session, by note, that he had been notified by the Trustees that his services were no longer needed. It was insisted by the Session that the selection of Chorister, whenever such selection became necessary, belonged to them, and the Trustees were urged to take such action in the present instance as should establish a precedent in favor of the Session. The Trustees present agreed to lay the matter before the Board, reminding the Session, however, that the usage of the Church, and, in their opinion, the law, were opposed to such action. The conference was protracted, and both subjects fully and carefully discussed.

Oct. 7, 1872. Trustees. The following

communication, which had been ordered, was approved :

Morristown, Oct. 10, 1872.

Rev. John A. French,

Moderator, &c. Rev. and Dear Sir :

At the recent conference of certain of the Trustees with the Session, the following questions among others, were presented for the consideration of the Board, viz :- Does not the election of Church Chorister belong of right to the Session? and ought not the Trustees now to take such action as will es- tablish a precedent in favor thereof ? At a regular meeting of the Board, held on the evening of the 7th instant, these questions received an extended and careful discussion, resulting in the unanimous conclusion, First, That the selection and appointment of Chorister are inherent rights and duties of the Board of Trustees. Second, That even if the Board err in this opinion, yet, inas- much as they have already, in accordance with a usage immemorial, and practically unbroken, made choice of and engagement with a Chorister, there would seem to be no propriety in any further action on their part.

By order of the Board of Trustees. Very Resp'y, W. E. Church, Sec'y.

Nov. 13, 1872. Trustees. The President reported that Miss Johnson having resigned her position as Organist he had negotiated with Mr. Kofler, subject to approval of the Board, to play the organ and act as Chor- ister for $50. per month to May Ist, 1873. On motion the President was authorized to conclude the arrangements, endeavoring to secure to the Trustees the option of an ex- tension for one year from May Ist, 1873.

Resolved, That the President and Treasurer be, and they are hereby, directed to execute and procure to be discounted, the note of the Trustees at three months for $1,000. and apply the proceeds towards defraying the current obligations of the Board.

Nov. 25, 1872. Parish Meeting : Mr. Jacob Crane, Chairman. About 30 present .. Mr. Forsyth read a long statement tend- ing to show an annual deficit in the Church accounts of $1,000.

Resolved [Ist,] That the Trustees be in-

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structed to make an additional charge against all persons occupying pews belong- ing to the Church, equal to the interest on the assessed value of such pews ; [2d,] That the Trustees be instructed to acquire title to all pews owned by non-residents, upon which the rent is not paid ; [3d.] That the Trustees be instructed to apply to the Dea- cons of the Church, for payment out of the fund under their control of the pew rent, in whole or in part, of persons occupying pew, who are unable to pay the same; [4th,] That the Trustees be instructed to use the most prompt and vigorous measures to col- lect all arrears of pew rents.

Dec. 5, 1872. Trustees. The Treasurer having reported that he had several appli- cations from responsible parties, for pews now in possession of delinquents, he was authorized to notify such delinquents that unless their arrears were immediately set- tled, their pews would be let to other par- ties. The President was authorized to take legal measures for the collection of arrears from any and all delinquents who, in his judgment, were able to pay.

February 27, 1873. Parish Meeting. Num- ber present 24. Mr. Forsyth, President of the Board of Trustees, presented the fol- lowing communication :

"To the Parish of the First Presbyterian Church at Morristown :

" The undersigned, Trustees elected at the last Annual Parish Meeting of said Church, hereby tender the resignation of their of- fices, to take effect on the eleventh day of March next.

" As it is proper that the Parish should be informed of the reasons for our action we submit the following as the principal one, but one in our estimation, sufficient to justify our action.

" It was represented at the Parish, at a special meeting held on the 26th day of No- vember last, that the expenses of the Church exceeded the revenue thereof at least one thousand dollars per year ; that the Trustees were then indebted one thous- and dollars on a note then recently dis- counted, which the Trustees had no pros- pect of liquidating at maturity out of the revenues of the Church, and the Parish was asked to take such measures for the relief of the Trustees as would ensure funds for

the payment of that note, and also increase the revenues of the Church sufficiently to meet the annual current expenses. No ac- tion was taken for the relief of the Trustees, and as their note approached maturity, they were obliged to raise funds to meet its pay- ment by voluntary subscription. The note is now paid, and the Trustees owe no debts which they have not sufficient funds to liquidate, but feel assured that in the pres- ent situation of the annual revenues receiv- able by them, they will probably before the commencement of the next Parish year, be compelled to raise more money by voluntary subscription to defray current expenses of the Church, or else hand over to their suc- cessors a debt of considerable amount for liquidation. The Trustees are unwilling to solicit further voluntary contributions, or any longer to incur debts which they can- not receive sufficient revenues to meet, and for that reason resign their offices.

" The Trustees in tendering their resigna- tions, would suggest to the Parish that in their opinion the revenues of the Church cannot be further increased by taxing the pews, the annual assessment on the pews being now as large as it is expedient to put upon them. But the Trustees would recom- mend for the consideration of the Parish, as a remedy for the financial embarrassment, that the present Board of Trustees have la- bored under, and which another Board must encounter, either the appropriation from the Sunday collection of sufficient each quarter year, to meet any deficiency which may then exist towards defraying current expenses, or, the restoring to the Trustees their monthly collection.

Geo. W. Forsyth, Augustus W. Cutler, James Anderson, W. E. Church, A. B. Hull, Daniel H. Leek.

Dated February 22, 1873."

Resolved [Ist,] to lay the motion to ac- cept the resignation of the Trustees, on the table, to be taken up and considered at a Parish meeting to be held March 11th, 1873, at three o'clock in the afternoon, and that the Trustees be directed to call a meeting on that day to consider or receive such resignations, and if received, to elect a new board at the same time ; [2d,] That a com- mittee of five be appointed to devise and recommend a plan for organizing and es-

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tablishing on a permanent basis, the finances and benevolence of the Church ; such plan to be presented in such shape as may be deemed most suitable to the meet- ing to be convened March 11th. The com- mittee consisted of the following :

Theodore Little and Henry M. Dalrymple, from the Session; Geo. W. Forsyth and A. B. Hull, from the Trustees : Geo. E. Voor- hees. from the Parish ; with the Pastor, Mr. French, ex officio.

March 11, 1873. Parish Meeting. Num- ber present, about 100, including many la- dies ; Mr. Jas. C. Youngblood, Chairman.

On motion of Mr. J. H. Johnson, it was Resolved, That the resignation of the Board of Trustees, offered at the last meeting, be not accepted.

On motion of Mr. T. Little, it was Re- solved. That the report of the Committee of Five appointed at the last meeting, be now received.

The committee then reported as follows, stating that they had distributed printed copies of the said report in the pews on the previous Sabbath :

" The committee appointed at the recent Parish Meeting to consider the different plans proposed for collecting the current expenses of the church, and to recommend to an adjourned meeting to be held on Tuesday, March 11, 1873, at three o'clock P. M., such plans as they might approve, after several conferences and much considera- tion, resolved to present to the parish the plan of voluntary contributions, as stated be- low.

"Inasmuch as the success of any system must depend on the cordiality with which it is adopted, and the proposed system does not meet the unanimous approval of the Committee, they further resolved, unani- mously, to recommend that the plan shall not be adopted unless it shall receive the vote of at least three-fourths of the pew- holders who shall attend the meeting.

A. B. Hull, George W. Forsyth,

George E. Voorhees, H. M. Dalrymple, Theodore Little,

Committee.

The plan presented with the above re- port was the same substantially, as that which was adopted at a subsequent stage of the meeting.

Mr. Wm. E. Church offered a resolution that the report and plan be adopted.

Considerable discussion then ensued by those favoring and opposing the plan.

A communication was read opposing the plan ; also one favoring it.

Mr. Youngblood, after calling Mr. Hull to the Chair, offered the following plan as a substitute, and moved its adoption :

Whereas, It is desirable that the pew rents should be fixed at such rates as will enable persons of moderate means to enjoy the Gospel, and occupy suitable pews ;

And Whereas, It is also desirable that churches, as well as individuals, should be just before they are generous, and, that the current expenses of the Church be first paid out of any funds which may be paid or con- tributed by the congregation ; therefore, Be it resolved, That the assessment upon the valuation of pews be reduced fromn 35 to 28 per cent., and

Be it resolved, That the Trustees shall make and present at each regular Annual Parish Meeting, an estimate of the amount necessary to make up the probable defi- ciency in the current expenses for the ensu- ing year, which sum shall be paid by the Session to the Trustees, in equal quarterly payments, out of the contributions made on the Sundays in each quarter (except the first Sunday in each month), and that the balance be apportioned by the Session as usual.

The above resolutions were freely dis- cussed.

The Pastor made remarks (in which he carefully refrained from expressing any preference for either plan), calling upon all persons to vote.

The Chairman having first decided that only those were entitled to vote who con- tributed regularly to home expenses of the Church, the question of the adoption of the substitute resolutions was put to vote, and decided in the negative by a very large majority.

The original plan then came up, and, af- ter amendment in some slight particulars, was adopted in the following form, by a

Dated March 7, 1873."

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vote of 42 in the affirmative to 3 in the negative :

WHEREAS, the duty of supporting the gos- pel, both at home and abroad, rests on each individual in proportion to his abili- ty, and it is desirable that the discharge of this duty shall be clearly presented to each person as a matter of conscience :

Resolved, That we adopt the following modifications of our present system of mak- ing collections for Church expenses and benevolence.

First- The present Sabbath collection shall be continued. The moneys collected on the first Sabbath of each month shall be given to the particular objects to which they have been given during the past year. The collection for March to be given to such cause as the session may desig- nate. All moneys received from the Sabbath collections, or from any other source, shall be paid to a Treasurer, to be elected at the Annual Parish Meeting. The Treasurer shall keep a correct account of all moneys received by him, and pay the same as hereinafter directed; and shall render a statement of his receipts and dis- bursements quarterly to both the Trustees and Session ; and at each Annual Parish Meeting shall submit a full report for the year.

Second-At each Annual Parish Meeting the Trustees shall submit for the approval of the Parish an estimate of the probable expenses of our home work for the ensuing year ; and immediately after such meeting each pew holder shall be called on, in such mode as the Trustees may deem advisable, to determine what amount he or she will agree to pay in monthly payments towards such expenses-such payment to be made by inclosing the amount in envelopes to be provided for that purpose by the Treasurer, and returning the envelopes to the Treas- urer on the second Sabbath of each month, with the name of the pew holder or the number of the pew.

Third-The Treasurer shall promptly for- ward all moneys which may be contributed for any specific object, and out of the other moneys received by him shall first pay, on the orders of the Trustees, which shall be drawn quarterly so far as practicable, all expenses necessary for our home work,

not, however, exceeding the amount desig- nated by the Parish Meeting. Of the bal- ance of such money, he shall pay eight- twelfths to the eight boards of our church, in quarterly payments, in the proportion recommended by the General Assembly for the current year, and four-twelfths shall constitute the contingent fund of the Ses- sion, to be paid on their order and to be used for the support of the poor of the church, the expenses of the Sabbath School. and matters of a similar kind.

Fourth-If, during any year, the cur- rent expenses of our home work shall from any cause exceed the estimate of the parish meeting, it shall be the duty of the Trustees to provide for such excess, if possible, by special application to the mem- bers of the congregation, and if such effort shall fail, such excess shall be included in the estimate, and be paid out of the collec- tions of the next year.

Fifth-Five of the pews, which are now unoccupied, being first reserved by the Trus- tees for the use of strangers and families which may hereafter remove to the town. the remainder of those now unoccupied shall be assigned to such families as may apply for the same in the order of their ap- plication. And no person shall be deprived of his pew so long as he or his family shall occupy the same, it being understood that this provision is not to affect the sale or other disposition of pews not owned or con- trolled by the church.

It was, on motion of Mr. Theo. Little, Re- solved,

Ist. That the Parish year from this time be considered as closing on the 12th day of March, and the Annual Parish Meeting shall, after this year, be held on the first Tuesday thereafter, at such time as may be appointed by the Trustees.

2d. That a Treasurer be now elected, in accordance with the system this day adopted, and that all collections made after March 12th, 1873, be disposed of according to such system.

3d. That the sum of $6,500. be designated as the amount to be collected for home work during the ensuing year.

Mr. A. B. Hull was unanimously elected Treasurer for the ensuing year.

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On motion, the following preamble and resolution was passed :

"Whereas, The Trustees, in accordance with the instructions of the Parish, have commenced legal proceedings for the col- Jection of unpaid pew rents ; and, Whereas, In some instances executions have been is- sued, and families will be distressed thereof ; Resolved. That all legal proceedings for the collection of unpaid assessments be abandoned, and the future payment of the same be left to the Christian obligation of the debtor."

Mr. W. E. Church, on behalf of the Trus- tees, again offered their resignations, when Mr. Youngblood, chairman, decided that the action of the meeting had already ter- minated their offices, and that there were no Trustees.

It was then, Resolved, That we proceed to the election of a new Board of Seven Trustees.

Nominations were received, the vote taken by ballot, and the following gentle- men declared elected : George Vail, Lewis Pierson, Jr., Henry M. Olmsted, George E. Voorhees, Edward Pierson, Joseph C. Bird, and David Gillespie.

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History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 86

Author: First Presbyterian Church in Morristown (N.J.) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Morristown, N.J. : "Banner" Steam Print Number of Pages: 942

Author: First Presbyterian Church in Morristown (N.J.)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Morristown, N.J. : "Banner" Steam Print
Number of Pages: 942