The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-10-28
A oLERorMAN's DRUNKENNESS.
Closing the Doors OF ~. Johns German Luz
thernn Church Of Morrisania.

theruu Church Of MOrrisnnia.
The Rev. August Thorbeck, who had
been for long time Roman Catholic priest In
Germany, did not subscribe to the doctrine that
celibacy Is a necessary qualification for the
priesthood, and marrying, he was compelled 20
alter his religion, and some six years he
landed in this country, a Lutheran clergyman
His wife accompanied him. and he was soon es-
tablished a. pastor OF an uptown church. There
eighteen months ago the trustees Of st. Johns
German Lutheran Church Of Morrisania found
him, and he was easily induced to accept their
Offer. lie had a letter from his former church,
and though 1t Is now said to have been hardly
satisfactory, 1t was accepted in the absence of
ANYTHING better. and the Rev. August lhorbeck,
with hts wife and young fsmily, moved to Nor
risanih.
Almost from the beginning OF his pastoral re-
latiuns coup. .ints az inst nm began to trouble
the elders. 1hey were chiefly from members Of
other churches. and were looked upon for a
Ions time US the invention OF the Roman CathO-
lics.
There was no conceanc the fact that the Rev.
Mr. IhorDeck vas addicted TO much more
than moderate use Of Intoxicating hQuors, but
az he drauk TO excess OILY IN his own nouse the
elders we're inclined to let bis eloquence and
scholarly ability at one for his intemperaBce.
For year tins continued. and then. emboldened
by past immunity. the clergyman occasionally
shocked the people OF Morrisania by app caring
In an unequivucal state Of drunkenness in tue
streets. HIS lipses became more ana more fire.
qucnt, until all Morris MIA knew Of his besettiDg
SIN. Moreover, he began To eyince sudden and
astonishing desire to pay his debts not debts
of the present hut debts long due, borrowing
money with whicn to pay them from tradesmen
who were themselves his creditors. 1t has not
yet been ascertaIned that the money thus lent
to him went to pay any debts. lie borrowed
enough from one too trusting local dealer to
pay the premium on a life insurance policy that
was certainly not held uy any company in OF
near Morrisania or Harlem.
The Rev. MIR. Thoroeck was not unreasonable,
and when man declined to lend him twenty
dollars lie w& usu lily willing to compromIse on
nfty cents. He seemed to live wholly on credit.
and the Morris MIA tradespeople grew weary OF
furnishing bills and threatening lawsuits. FL
nally, about three months ago, the elders Of the
church warned the pastor. He promised refOr-
nation, assuring them that he would pay his
dents, obandon the use OF strong drinks, and
neither borrow nor lend in the future. He did
not keep this promise. but he renewed II soon
afterwatd upon being remonsti ated with more
urgently than before. Ihis pledge he also vio-
lated and on the nieht Of the 9th inst. the eld-
efs decided upon suspeDding MIN. On the fol-
lowing day there was no service In 81. John :
Lutheran Church, Tor when the pastor arriy ed
he found the doors closed.
Then n meeting OF the elders was held, the
charges were investie ted. and the Rev. August
IhorOeck wss respectfully invited to step uown
and out. lie is allowed three months to Mud
another chulch, ana to enable the trustees to
secure a more desirable pastor.