Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-10
SUSTAINING PASTOR.

Dismissed for a Theft Committed Years
AEO-His Congregation ; and by Him.
Rev. ". L. Woodruff, SAYS a Boston
special to the New York Herald of Feb. :,
is a tall, young looking man, with pale.
intellectual face, Ornamented with heavy
mOustache. In November last Mr.. Wood
ruff was hired at a monthly salary to
preach in the pulpit of the Z Street Con-
gregational Church, South Boston. He
soon became very popular. In December
strange rumOrs began to come to the ears
of the church members. Mr.. Woodruff
learned the name of an individual who had
given utterance to them. He went imme-
diately to this man. a clergyman settled
over a church of the CONGREGATIONAL per-
suasiOn in neighbOring town. This gen
tleman informed Mr.. Woodruff that GER
tain scandalOus matters in connection
with his past life had come to his notice.
No man ought to remain in the ministry
whose record was tarnished, especially if
his rascality had reached the extent of a
conviction aud Imprisonment for rObbing
the United States mails. Mr.. Woodruff
promptly promised to resign for the stated
reason that any mistake of his past life
was not the fault Of the f Street Church,
and that the church must not be dragged
into any scandal growing out of it.
SELF RIGHTEOUS COUNCIL.
On the following day he wrote a letter
of resignation, which be presented to a
church committee. The committee de-
manded an explanation and he gave it.
He said that two years ago he held the
position of business manager on the
Baltimore Presbyterian. The paper be-
came financially involved and he was
unable to obtain his salary. Owing to
the foreclosure Of a mortgage the paper
passed out of the hands of the man in
whose employ he was. On the following
dav he went as usual to his box in the
most office and took therefrOm the mail.
i'm which were letters containing money
directed to the paper, and not To himself
personally. He was arrested on this,
found guilty by the United States Court,
sentence-a fine of $200-in default
of payment of which he was to
spend thirty days in the common Jail.
For the reason that to pay this fine he
must deprive his family of the little
money remaining in their possession he
preferred TO serve out the term in Jail,
and did so. He admitted that he had
done wrong and had been disgraced, but
he thought he had lived the matter down,
having been for two years pastor of a
church in SaylesVille, II. l., where his
reputation was unblemished. Upon hear
ING this explanation the committee called
n Church council. This council decided
that a minister of the gospel ought to be
A man of unblemished reputation, and
advised the church to accept his resigna-
tiOn.
The rumOr of the decision Of the council
spread like Wildfire among members OF
the church. As soon as it was known the
ladies of the congregation started sub
scription paper for funds with which to
hire a hall where the many friends OF Mr..
Woodruff might continue to hear him in
the event Of his leaving the church. A
serious split in the church seemed immi-
nent. when a church meeting was called
10 take action on the report of the cOun-
ell. At that meeting much feeling was
manifested, and when the question Of
accepting the pastors letter OF re-
signatiOn was finally put to vote
it was negatived and the advice
Of the council was rejected by
a vote of - to 1. The meeting Of the so
ciety held shortly after reinforced this ver-
dict bv A vote of 10 to 3. The pastor was
informed that the church would not per
mil him to 90 away for such reasons as
had been given, and should not abide by
the decision of the council. MIR. Wood
ruf expressed himself as bowling to their
will in the matter and consented 10 re-
main as long as the unanimity continued
as il then was. A few members LETT the
congregation, but the majority renamed,
and so the matter stands.