Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-07-11
The Alleged Trouble In DIR. Ieonards
Congregation,

NV -NheSto stbhhi'
Congregation.
IL is already known that correspondent
of the Commercial Gazette was in this city
two days personally interviewing members,
officials and others Of the Central NJ. F..
church, of which Dr. Leonard, Prohibition
candidate for Governor, is pastor. II has
been reported on the one hand and denied on
the other that there was serious trouble in
the church in consequence OF the pastors
candidacy aud signs of an open rupture. The
Con mercial Gazette this morning has three
columns OF interviews indicating that, IT the
situation is not so bad as represented by
some it is considerably strained, and
liable to become, ss the man
said about his wife, mo better
very last" The burden OF the statements,
which seem to keve been generally cautious
and dispassioS, is that the Doctor has made
a great mise, and while his people regard
him in the kindliest manner personally aud
as their pastor they, with few exceptions,
discounlenance his entering the political field
in the character he has, and will not support
him at the polls Summing 1t all up the
correspondent SAYS that, out Of a membership
OF nearly 500 in Central church Dr. Leonard
| will receive from 20 to 20 votes, including
Democratic, Prohibitionists, and all who
have voted that ticket for years. Only toul
| of the Official Board, OF 80 members, sup
port Leonards candidacy. Rev. Or
Marlay says to the best of his in
formation only two members o
High street NJ. +. church will vote for DR.
Leonard and A. r. Ludlow, Prohibition can
| didate four years ago, is one of that two. Th
| correspondent says "Methodiss are an in
telligent people, and the attempt OF DR.. Leon
ard, through his conference resolution, tt
work them up into crusade against tn,
| principles of the Scott laS and the Republ
can party will be futile"
John Johnston, chairman board of trustees
said he wished to avoid trouble in the churct
but didn't care to see politics mixed up will
| religion in this intimate manner. lie ant
| his son are for Foraker.
| J. W. r. Cline is Republican and viii
vote the Republican ticket. He said that i
had been pre- posed to rescind the resolution
asking DR. Leonard's return as pastor ano,he
year, but didn't know what would be done
Peter Slack was very outspoken. He
one OF the strongest supporters of the church
but his feelings ss to the pastors positiO
were such he had taken his letter from tn
church. When part OF the congregation de
tached themselves several years ago and OF
ganzed st. Paul church, it locked gloomy 10
the Central church in financial sense, an
old Peter Slack declared that the Centrf
should have a pastor, and the best Que in tn
conference, il he had to pay his salary him
self.
Superintendent Miles Myers y OF the SuI
day school, had asked for his letter. althoug
personally friend of the pastor, and ha
told him he ought to resign his pastorate.
Charles H. Schaeiier, treasurer, said tbs
the acceptance by DR.. Leonard of the guber
nstorial nomination from the political Prob
bitionis,s was the greatest calamity that ha
ever overtakeu the Central N. +. church.
| j. S. Shewalter, secretary, said he love
DR.. Leonard, but, as Republican, shoul
vote tor Foraker. f. II. Mitchell and }.
Burns spoke to the same effect