The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-05

Mackensack's Bogus Pastor.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT HACKESSACK, y. J.,
AND THE REV. DARLING REGINALD PHILIP
HE Is FORMALLY DEPoSED FROM THE PASTo-
RATE AND EXPELLED.
An occasion OF unusual interest drew a
large crowd OF curiosity-seekers to the Bap-
tist church at Hackensack, n. b., last eve
ming. The majority OF those present be-
longed to the fair sex. What was the attrac-
ton that brought these good people there! A
delicious titbit of scandal. The Rev. Darling
Reginald Philip, the pastor OF the Baptist
church, had been compelled to leave the
town some days ago in consequence OF GER
tain unpleasant revelations affecting his
moral character. He was charged by his
lundlady, a Mrs. Foote, with having made
improper proposals to her and other OF bis
parishioners, with having forged the letters
OF recommendation which procured his ap-
pointment as pastor OF the church, and with
numerous other sins. The exposure OF such
ungodly conduct opStbe: part OF minister
OF the gospel created great stir in the
quiet town of Haekersack, and when the
bombshel burst over the head OF the
guilty pastor the whole population was
aeog with excitement. The reverend gen.
tleman, having had to leave Hackensack
in order to escape the storm OF pub
lie indignation that threatened him, the
meeting last evening was called by the
Church Committee to make formal state
ment OF the circumstances which had pre-.
cipitated the PASTORS hasty retreat from bis
pulpit. When everybody was seated, and
waiting with great easerness for what was
to come, Deacon j. II. Atwood-a serious,
hao 1al q doom.
sonorous Toice-ascended the .platforn, and
announced that the statement would be pre-
ceded by the singing of the hymn "We
Need Thee Every Hour" This sentence
elected an irreverent litter among the atl-
dience. Prayer was then offered, in which
the ex-minister was alluded to as an "ene-
my Of God" .....
THE BOGUS PASTORS OFFENCES.
Deacon Atwood then, in sad, mournfu
manner, related the story OF the pastors
guilt and downfall. He began by narratlns
the circumstances under which Philip turn.
ed I'D as stranger in Hackensack last sum.
mer, and, presenting credentials from q
Baptist church in Wales, England, was In
yited to preach in the church. Deacon At
wood then dwelt on the wonderful eIo.
uuence of the Welshman. "The whole
town." he said, "seemed to be aroused in
regard to this young man." His letters
were all of the right tone," and the church
extended to him an unanimous call to the
pastorate. "Peoplc asked why man so
able, so brilliant, would not 60 to the city,
where he would have larger field
for his talents, but he said he wanted
to live in some country town where
he could grow up with the people and be
one Of them.' It appears that the rusticity-
loving Philip told about the same story in
Richmond, Va, where he also declared that
he would rather be welded to the life OF a
small place than to the great metropolis.
The remainder OF the Dcacon'S statement is
already twice-told tale; how it was finally
discovered that he had forged all his letters
of recommendation that he was no minis
ter at all, but an actor, who had learned the
sermons of DR.. Guthrie by heart and
preached them with remarkable effect; how
he had imposed on other congregations in
the SoutI-in Richmond, in New Orleans,
&c.-in the same manner, and how he was
finally driven away from the town by the
sudden exposure which confronted him
after the last prayer-meeting.
Deacon Atwood's statement having beer
concluded, hymn was sung and then
tarivate buSiness-meeting was held, IN whlct
resolutions were adopted formally deposlne
Mr.. Philip from the pastorate OF the
church and expelling him from its mem
bership. After the meeting Mr.. AtWooo
informally explained to the representatives
Of the press that the first resolution formally
deposing Mr.. Philip from the pastoratt
was passed in order that he might not bt
able to claim any salary beyond the time o.
his dismissal. Mr.. Philip, who had passed
under the name OF Rowland in Richmond
had sent his trunks to New York under tht
name of Philips, thus adding an S to his
HackenSack name.
No allusion was made to Mrs. Foote, tht
ex-pastor's landlady, who was expelled
from the church because she had failed tt
bring her charges OF immortality against hin
before the committee, but had gosslppee
about them to the whole town, thus Sian
dering the church. Deacon Atwood being
asked by the writer whether it was the pur
pose Of the committee to reinstate the lady
replied In the negative, saying that as she re-
fused to substantiate her charges, but never
theless gossipped about them to everybody,
her expulsion was only condign punish
ment. The Rev. DIR. Rowand-Philip-
Philips is understood to be still in New
York, ardently pursuing his theological
studies.--Ne York Herald.