The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-11-05
4. CLERGYMAN's DRUNKENNESS
Closing the Doors OF 81, Johns Ger
man Lutheran Church OF Norris

man Lutheran Church OF Morris
En'a.
From the New York Sun.
The Rev. August Thorbeck, who had
been for a long TIME Roman Catholic
priest in Germany, did not subscribe to
the doctrine that celbacy is necessary
qualification for the priesthood, and mar
rying, he was compelled to alter his re.
hgion, and six years ago he landed in
this country, Lutheran clergyman.
His wife accompanied him. and he was
soon established as pastor of an uptown
church. There, eighteen months ago,
the trustees of st. Johns Lutheran
church of Morrisania found him, and he
was easily induced to accept their offer
He had letter from his former church,
and though it is row said 10 have been
hardly satisfactory, 1t was accepted in the
absence of anything better, and the Rev.
August Thorbeck, with his wife and
young family, moved to Morrisania
the elders. They were chiefly from
members of other churches, and were
looked upon for Il long time as the inven-
ton of the Roman Catholics.
Almost from the beginning OF
his pastoral relations complaints
against him began to trouble
There was no concealing the fact that
the Rev Mr.. Thorbeck was addicted to
much more than moderate use OF in
toxicating liquors, but, as he drank to
excess only in his own home, the elders
were inclined to let his eloquence and
scholarly ability atone tor his intemper-
auce. For a year this continued, and
then, cmboldened by past immunity, the
clergyman occasionally shocked the pcO-
pie Of Morrisania by appearing in AN
unequvocal state of drunkenness in the
streets. His lapse became more and
more frequent, until all Morrisania knew
of his be>etting sin Moreover, he began
to evince a sudden and astonishing desire
to pay his debts; not debts OF the present
out debts long due, borrowing money
with which to pay them from tradesmen
W no were themselves his creditors. II has
n OF Vet been sSCertalned that the money
thus lent HIM went to pay any debts.
He borrowed enough from one too trust.
ing local dea.er to pay the premium on
a life insurance policy tina: WAS certainly
rot held by any company in or near
Morrjsaina or Harlem.
The Rev. ThorbcCk was not unrcason.
able and when man declined 10 lend
him so he was usually willing to com
promise on fifty cents. He seemed to
live wholly onscredit, and the Morrisania
tradespeople grew weary of furnishing
bills and threatening law suits. Finally,
about three months ago the elders of the
church warned the pastor. He promiS-
ed reformation, assuring them that he
would pay his debts, abandon the use
of strong drinks, and neither borrow nor
lend in the future He did not keep his
promise, but he renewed it soon alter
ward upon being demonstrated with more
urgently than before. This pledge he
also violated, and on the night of the 9th
inst. the elders decided upon suspending'
him. On the following day there was
no service in st. Johns Lutheran church,
for when the pastor arrived he found the
doors closed.
Then meeting OF the elders was held,
the charges were investigated, and the
Rev. August Tho beck WAS respectfully
invited to step down and out. He is
allowed three months to find another
church, md to enable the trustees to Sc
cure u more desirable pastor.