A Statement: On the Future of This Church | Page 9

members of this church were willing to face without
revolt or rebuke, questions which more often than not in the past have
been the occasion of unseemly quarrel and unholy schism. Secondly,
that the consideration of these questions was carried on for two hours
without bitterness of spirit as between the members of the church, or as
between these members and the absent minister. Lastly, that there is a
large working majority in this church who desire the things that I desire.
Taking these facts into my own soul, which must be the last court of
decision, after all, I have become convinced that I am confronted here
by a situation which I can neither ignore nor evade. My challenge to
you has been answered by a challenge to myself. To refuse this
challenge, is impossible. To leave this fruitage of my twelve years of
plowing and planting unharvested, and thus to wither and be scattered,
would be a crime. I have therefore declined the call to Chicago, and
will remain here as your minister!

To this announcement of my decision in this case, may I make, in
closing, some two or three supplementary remarks?
In the first place, for the benefit of such rasher or more enthusiastic
spirits as may be present in this place, I would state that I have no
intention of abusing the confidence thus reposed in me, or the power
thus granted me, by demanding immediate and final action on all the
points of my program. We are members here not of a political caucus,
but of a church; and it behooves us, therefore, to observe even the
uttermost refinements of good-will and mutual consideration. We must
respect with scrupulous fidelity the rights of each, and seek nothing that
falls short of the happiness of all. Determination must now yield place
to patience, and courage to sympathy. Conversion and not conquest is
our method. I had rather wait years to gain my point with the consent of
every heart, than carry off the victory [20] tomorrow with some hearts
broken and thrown away. I have a perfect faith in the power of
persuasion--an unshaken confidence in the ultimate supremacy of love;
and am quite willing to leave to these mystic forces the determination
of the time, the method and the ultimate form of our accomplishment.
On the other hand, lest there be those who think that deeds are not to
follow upon words, may I state that I take up my ministry in this church
afresh today with the conviction that I am committed to a program, and
you committed to its decent and friendly consideration. Nay more, I am
persuaded that we are ready for unanimous action on some points. At
the regular annual meeting of this Society, on Monday, January 13, I
hope, and have every reason to expect that a resolution will be
introduced, providing for the abolition of the pew rental system of
financial support, and the establishment of the principle of free pews. I
shall recommend that certain methods be employed for the affecting of
this great change: (1) that all present pew-holders be invited to
surrender their sittings and to pay to the treasurer in the form of
subscription what they now pay in form of rent; (2) that those who may
be for any reason unwilling to make this change, be protected in their
rights and be guaranteed their sittings, so long as they may desire this
arrangement; (3) that all new-comers be invited to support the church
by subscription payments only, and no pews or sittings be rented anew

under any consideration after a certain date. By some such procedure as
this we shall gain our end, protect our present income, and impose
compulsion upon no single individual.
Secondly, it is my hope, and expectation, that at this annual meeting
next week, the problem of our name as a church will be taken up. I
shall recommend that a committee be appointed to consider a new
name for the Church of the Messiah, and to report back to a special
meeting of the Society perhaps in the early spring, their
recommendation on this point.
As regards the problem of non-covenanted membership [21] I propose
to recommend that this matter be promptly referred to the Advisory
Board for study; that this body, in turn, report its findings to the Board
of Trustees for similar study; and that this Board, at such time, and in
such way, as it and the ministers may deem proper, bring the matter
before the Society for action. This question is complicated, and poorly
understood. We shall want to examine the experience and precedent of
other denominational bodies, and of such independent religious
organizations as the Ethical Culture Society and the Free Synagogue.
We must find,