Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-29
REV. rHoMrsoSs HEruss.

II
OF Mad He Labored Under.
Every one ofthe throng in Grace M. Z
Church. Brooklyn says the Times of tina
city, vas made glad when Trustee Cope
land announced that theirpasior, the Rev
John Riley Thompson. had been heard o
in Boston, and that he We, on his way baet
to this city.
That's the best Christmas gif VIZ could
have" said one Of the other trustees, and
the entire audience began to speak Of the
happy event. The exercises osthe evening
were for the moment suspended. When
they we're resumed the air Of gloom in the
church had disappeared.
Mr.. Thompson had telegraphsd from
Boston that be Was all right, but was not
very well. Inresponse to the despatch, Mr..
Henry c. La Rue, of No. ia Hancock
street, Mr.. Thompson's most intsmate
friend, In this city started for Boston to
bring him home. II was fitting that the
man from whose house he started iu'his
mysterious absence, should be- the means OF
his return. Mr. La Rue found that Mr.:
Thompson was nervous and depressed and
fearful whether to return and face his congre-
cation. He seemed to be Welt balanced
mentally, as ever, and talked of himself with
calmness. Mr.. La Rue urged upon him
the need of returning at once to bis family
and did not question him about bis expe-
riences while away. 1t was evident that the
Young preacher had passed through 4 bitter
L.,+ ,ba N
Mr.. La Rue easily persuaded him to come
to Brooklyn and they took train at noon,
arriving in New York at I p. m. Thence
they proceeded to Mr.. Thompson's home
No ~ Seventh avenue, and MIR. La Rue
went 10 his own home. Neither would say
ANYTHING about the future Of the minister.
Mr.. Thompson would see no one, and Mr..
La Rue prefers that information should
euanate from Mr.. Thompson himself: 1t
was not made known to the members Of
the church last evening that Mr.. Thompson
mad arrived home.
The mysterious absence of Mr. Thomp-
sen and the inability Of his friends to secure
any trace of his whereabouts has excited
much comment, and various explanations
have been sought Nov that the anxiety OF
his friends has been set at rest, speculation
is still as rife as ever. A prominent physi-
clan said in regard to the matter
II am not Mr.. Thompson's physician, but
| know that he was in the habit OF using
large quantities of choral. | believe he
began using it under the advice of doctor
but exceeded the dose prescribed for him.
He became an habitual user Of the deadly
drug. 1t may have had something to do
with bis going away and it may not.
Said leading member of the church:
"Mr Thompson is the victim of overwork
His trip abroad did him great good. His
cheeks rounded out and he gained ten or
twelve pounds in weight He must have
weighed over l2O pounds you know ne is a
very small man. But lie came back with
his church full, all the people home from
vacation, and his hands more than full OF
work. He plunged right into it and did too
much. Then he pitched into the campaign,
and on top of all he wrote lecture for the
Ladies Aid Society, An American Pilgrim
at English Shrines, which mist have cost him
much toll Altogether it was TOO much for
him and the overworGed brain had to rest
think he will know better hereafter. 1t
was mistake to suppose he took the result
of the election seriously to heart. de
laughed about it with me. Then, too, that
statement that Mr.. Haddock was in tinan-
cial difficulties, and that worried Mr..
Thompson, was incorrect. 1t had no toun-
dation in fact. We are glad to have our
pastor back again, and hope he will be able
TO resume his work at once, thong b we will
be willing to give him prolonged vacation
il he wants it.