Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-03
WICKED SMOKE
A Baptist Congregation Just
Sundered by the Weed.
DIR. HAMMOND RESIGNED
Because He Preferred Both a Pipe
and His Personal Liberty
TO SURVEILLANCE AND SALARY.
His Great Work in Building the New
Church Counted for Eaught.
TO SURVEILLANCE AND SALARY.
BE has THREE CALLS ELSEWHERE

Rev. E. h Hammond, pastor of the Shady
Avenue Baptist Church, has resigned from
his pastorate under circumstances quite
without precedent in the history of church
circles OF this city. 1t appears that the
reverend gentleman has been caught
smoking. He had the temerity to follow
the distinguished example OF Sir Walter
Raleigh and other more recent devotees Of
''the weed" and certain members of the
congregation took exception to Mr.. Ham,
mond's tastes, and that fact coming to the
ears of the pastor, he promptly severed his
connection with the church.
Rev. Mr.. Hammond was neither at his
home nor his study last evening, but after
some investigation his intimate friend, DR..
Williams, of Penn and Hiland avenues,
consented to give the facts in the matter.
He said:
"Dr, Hammond has been treated very
discourteously by a faction is his congrega-
ton. He has been pastor of the Shady
Avenue Baptist Church for more than three
years, during which time his energetic min
istrations have done wonders in building up
the congregation. A new and handsome
church has been erected and partially fin
ished at cost of over $4,000, and it is
matter of fact that over one-third of the
money was raised by DR.. Hammond among
his influential friends.
OUTSIDE OF THE CONGREGATION.
GA very small debt incurred in the finish
ing the new building yet remains. DIR.
Hammond is one of the most able of the
Baptist ministry. In the preparation OF the
exegesis of sermon he is unrivaled in his
denomination. He has worked with his
whole soul for the success of his
church, and has received what his friends
consider q meager salary. During the
last year be refused a call from another
church at precisely double the salary be re-
ceived. He is a man of genial character
and fine mental attainments. l mention
these things in order to emphasize the trivia
nature of the objection raised against him
by certain people in the congregation. DR..
Hammond had one very grievous fault in
those censorious eyes. He smoked!'
ibid what?" asked the astonished re-
porter.
Smoked
Smoked tobacco. you mean?"
''Yes. He smoked-cigars and pipes;
smoked openly and notoriously, thus scan
dalizing his cloth, in the eyes of certain
Pharasaical members of the church"
"He didn't chew?"
"Oh, no. Just smoked. And lot of old
hens in the congregation were so shocked
by DR.. Hammond's atrocity that they began
talking in church and at the prayer meet
ings. He heard of it, and made up his
mind to preserve his independence by re-
signing. He felt that it was not his
province to remain where any act of his
would jeopardize the spiritual unity of his
flock, whether the malcontents were right
or wrong"
OTHERS DON'T DETEST IT.
"Has DIR. Hammond calls elsewhere
Eyes. He has three calls, one TO Con-
necticut, one to New Jersey, and one to a
large church in Philadelphia. But his ac-
ton had no reference to his prospects. He
does not believe that smoking is inconsist-
ent with the ministerial profession, and 1
honor him for his assertion of the rights of
the individual"
+. DIR. Hammond's resignation was prepared
On Sunday morning and read to the congre-
cation Just before communion service. 1t
was veritable bombshell, and the congre-
cation was so stunned as TO be scarcely able
to vote on the acceptance. DR.. Hammond
prefaeed his remarks by stating that his
action was for the best interests OF the
church, and must be considered irrevocable.
The resignation was reluctantly accepted.
One of the oldest lady members of the
congregation stated last night tnat 'iobjec-
tions had been made to DR.. Hammond be-
cause he smelt of tobacco during the ad-
ministration of the communion
The members Of the church are said to be
on the lookout for Baptist minister guar
anteed not to smoke.