Temporary settlement of the dispute over the ouster of the Body and Soul Clinic from St. Mark’s on the Bouwerie, which was hailed by Dr. Edward S. Cowles, director of the Clinic, as a result of the alleged stand taken by the rector of the Church, Dr, William N. Guthrie, has been disrupted by Dr. Guthrie himself.
In a statement by Dr. Guthrie on Thursday, released through the clerk of the church vestry, Oran Capshaw, Dr. Guthrie, as reported in the “Herald-Tribune,” asserted that he had not changed his position with regared to the vestry’s ouster of the church on June 27th.
He reiterated that he would make nomove to carry out the decision of the vestry but at the same time made it clear that the vestry, as the owners of the church, have the right, if they choose, to close out such activities as they see fit.
On Wednesday, Dr. Cowles, referring to a letter written by Dr. Guthrie taking issue with the vestry’s action and asking a month’s suspension of the clinic’s activities, had announced a complete victory for the clinic. Moreover, Dr. Cowles addressed to Dr. Guthrie a letter of thanks in which he declared: “I respectfully suggest that you send your letter to the vestry in order that they may be officially notified that it is our agreement that the clinic continue in the church as long as you are rector and only be suspended for the month of August for necessary cleaning and repairs.”
Dr. Guthrie’s newest statement, which has added to the general confusion on the matter, declares:
“I desire to state as a matter of personal privilege that I have never changed my position in regard to the clinic or in regard to the action of my vestry on June 27th. I have stated ad nauseum that I was in accord with the minority of two and made a strong plea for its position when the vote was cight to two in the vestry proper against the continuance of the clinic on our premises; that I held it to be good work and hoped it can be continued elsewhere, if not at St. Mark’s with my glad co-operation.
“If my vestry as owners, according to the older laws governing our church, because of its ancient charter, take action to close their premises to the clinic, I shall regret it, but I will make no appeal. The bishop has expressed himself as in agreement with the majority vote of the vestry. I will not combat the decision of the bishop, neither will his decision bind my conscience. Therefore, I cannot, personally, as a minister of Christ, in these times of great distress order the closure of the church myself for a good work, even though it be not so conducted as some of us would like, Dr. Cowles included.
“From the very beginning I have construed the vote of eight in the vestry as an act of corporation and so said repeatedly. Personally, I am worn out with this perpetual rehashing and misrepresenting of the facts in the case. I have written to Dr. Cowles a letter, given to the press prematurely, intended to establish a ‘Truce of God’ for the month of August which means that if there be any further hostilities they at least will not trouble us during this hot month and Dr. Cowles will have a chance for convalescence and we for survival and the church for much needed cleansing and repairs,” Dr. Guthrie’s letter concludes.
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