Smyrna times., 1884-10-15
The Case of Rev. A. w. Light
bourne.

We noted a week or two ago the
nasty movement of Rev. A. W. Light
bourne In giving up the pastorate of
the NJ. +. Church at Easton, Md. A
letter from that place to the Baltimore
Sen gives publicity to what was the
cause of his surrendering his creden-
tlals to Presiding Elder Caldwell:
" A good deal Of talk has followed the
departure from Easton of the Rev. A w
Llght0curne, pastor OF the NJ Z. church
mere, VINO went away about three weeks
ago: Mr. LightbOurne was subjected to
criticism because he had gone to a circus.
Where, after looking over the menaperie
he took his seat and witnessed the ring per-
tormaIces. The members knew Mr.
Llghtoourne was not exactly the cOnven-
Ilonal Methodist preacher He was eccen-
trlc, sensitive and independent in MANY of
his views. They did not know exactly
what to DO about the matter and did not
take formal action, but there was some
quiet criticism.
Shortly after attending the circus Mr..
Llght0ourne went to Greenwich. Conn. to
visit his father, the Rev. James II T,igbt1
bourne, who is II well-knuwn preacher on
the Peninsula. While Mr. Lightbourne
was absent the Rev. Dr. j. II. Caldwell
Presiding Elder Of the Easton district
visited the town in the regular discharge Of
his duties. the official members of tba
church sought his advice about the circus
matter and the upshot of the conference
was a note from the Presiding Elder to the
the discipline ~
" This offended Mr.. LghtbJurDe Unon
MS return he preached sermon in which
he sought to Justify his visit To the circus
and lald about him generally in no very
gentle manner. He then called meetin0
OF the oiAclal members of his church Tbe
matter was calmly discussed and an
amlcable conclusion reached.
Mr. LlghtbOurne then stated. what he
mad often limited at before, that he might
soon 60 away on account of his health. He
Is sald to be suffering from spinal disease
and to be threatened with Bright's disease
OF the kidneys. He was asked bv Lis
friends 30 withhold his resignation and
nothing further was heard from him for
some days '''N' ioi
Subsequently, however Presiding
Elder Caldwell who resides in Smvrna
Del, has received Mr. Lightbourne's ;
resignation of the pa9torship in Easton' and
tne surrender Of his parchment or creden-
tlals to preach in the Wilmington ConCer-
ence. iieI
AT the time Mr. Lightbourne went
away from Easton he was acromnanioJ b..
ms sister and her husband, and also NV q
young woman who was a domestic in H.
Lightbourne's family, who have sinco
joined him in New York. scandal vbio6
i rife just now, has given voice IN "a o,root
deal Of gossip about Mr. Lighfbourne and
another Clergyman, but as all the storios
told IN connection with the affair arn sns-
cepuole OF satisfactory exclamation tbo
majority OF the people discrcdit tLem II
Is unt2rtunate, however, that so much
scandal has grown out of the circumstance
related, and 1t is said prelimjnnrv
eccIcsHStlca! court, composed of five minis.
tiers, with Presiding Elder Caldwell viii
sIit the matter as regards both ministers
Ihelr report will be made TO the W'ilminC,'
ton Annual Conference.
,, Presiding Elder Caldwell was in
Easton Sunday and preached in the nnlnit
maze vacant by the departure of Nr
Llghtbourne There was a large conpreoo-
tiion present. Most people seemed to- tbini,
the minister would make some almsion to
their late pastor, but he did not do SO. He
gave notice, however, that the official mem
oers OF the church would hold a meeting
aiter the evening services to select some
one to MI the pulpit for the remainder Of
the conference year.
Mr: Llghtbourne' friends speak of him
WIN affection rs n brilliant preacher croce-
t4l aS Edwin Booth. lie is about IS veors
ola. People Of all denominations here CON
cede ms talent The young men generally
are ms friends. He appears to have been
Iohd OF manly sports, though physically
disqualified to indulge in them. II is
stated that he is going to enter Journalism
IN New York City"