Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-09-04
rkouBLE IN THE oHuRoK.


| Wh1ch LED the Pastor TO F0rsAk
ELS Flock.
Since the resignation OF the Rev. Ruff
Wendell as pastor Of the Household Q
Faith Church, q number Of rumors hav
been In circulation concerning tHoubl
In the congregation which led to
severing of the pastoral relationship
The stories passing current for an expla
nation Of Mr. Wendell's conduct hav
been greatly exaggerated and apparentl,
do him an injustice. The x-past0r Il
down east on business, where he has beer
for two weeks past.
One Of the leading members Of the con
gregation, who Is likewise deacon of tn,
church, was seen this morning concern
ing the matter. He expressed very
kindly feeling toward Mr.. Wendell and
believes he is 'tkind, good man.
Concerning the trouble referred to, he said
there Is sort Of division in the church
and great deal of jealously. THIS has been
the case for some time past, and was ex.
perienoed by Mr.. Wendell's predecessor.
The basis for the reports afoat is that the
retiring preacher called too often upon
one OF the female members OF che oongre.
CATION. 1t Is claimed by some OF Mr..
Wendell's enemies in the congregation
that his pastoral calls upon the woman In
question were too frequent and too long
for the discussion OF purely spiritual
matters. Some members Of the board OF
deoons also shared the opinion that the
preachers oonduot was trifle suspicious
and vent to him In a friendly way, and
requested that for his own sake and the
good OF the church, his calls on the
woman In question be discontinued. The
request was not complied with, but the
intimacy continued.
The congregation OF the Hou 1ehold OF
Faith Church was small and the income
limited, and both were in danger of grow
ing smaller unless this gossip was
stopped. Mr.. Wendell kindly took upon
himself the payment of the rent for the
parsonage and afterwards offered to re-
lease taem from the payment of his
salary, he continuing to conduct services
on Sunday and also carry on some
kind Of business through the
week. The last proposition was
declined by the congregation,
or his enemies in it who pretended to be.
lieve the rumors affecting their PASTORS
morality. After considering the matter
fully the congregation decided to ask Mr..
Wendell for his resignation, which was
done and the request granted.
Soon after the resignation had been
handed In the husband OF the woman In
question made formal charges Of undue
intimacy, &c., against the pastor. In
asmuch as the resignation had
been accepted the church could not
take any notice of the charges
and no trial was asked for by the ex pas
tor The deacon, who related the occur.
renee to an EVERY EVENING representative
this morning, stated that he did not
believe that the charge could have been
sustained even II the matter Lad come to
trial.
1t ia stated that the husband, however,
thinks that be had cause for action and
is considering whether or not to push his
case further. 1t is generally believed,
however, that he will drop II here.
On behalf of the congregation as q
whole letter has been given to Mr..
Wendell in which entire belief in his
Innocence of the charge is expressed and
q fitting tribute paid to his ability 40
preacher. MIR. Wendell has turned his
attention to publishing and is now con.
osrned In issuing work for theological
students, which is said to possess mach
merit.