New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-17
MINISTERIAL BASEBALL.

Two weeks ago, in the faithful discharge OF the
du,y which The Tribune owes the pubhc hS +"
clroniccr Of current events, it noted the downiaH
of the Rev r. T.. Howell, Of llHopolis, Ill HIS
sin WAS crouuci, and il found him ont. Nhlle ms
noc, WAS gathered AZ the church for the Ncdhes-
day evening praycr-meeting the Rev. Mr. Ilowcll
WAS M Brother Purdy'S playing of tie. Little
did we think that should So soon he called
upon 10 record the troubles of another clergyman,
also brought on hy outdoor sports; hut TO this
extremity are We reduced
I'm Rockland. Sullivan County, this state, there
is a Methodist Episcopal Church organization with
n small but neat building for worship. Last
April the Rev. Frank Forsythc WAS assigned 10
this charge. The reverend gentleman - young
man. and hc was ordained but short time before
going 10 Roclland. But he Is educated lnteH-
cent with gifts as an orator and with pleasing
social manners For time he gave universal
soti>laciion In evidence of this we have only 10
say that between the 18th ot April and the 10th
Of June. Inclusive he was presented with eight
pairs of slippers. On June - there began to he
ouinons whispers about him. 1t was charged
that he smoked cigars and played croqnct Ialas'
again the fatal game > and that he " iol;cd and
laughed with chance acquaintanc"s.' These fail
ings his flock agreed TO overlook on account of
his youth but they could not overlook the ncNt
thing which burst upon them like thunder from
a clear sky II was found that he engaged in
match games of baseball.
II was charged on July s by Mrs Deacon Pcttin-
gill that the Rev. Mr.. Forsythc had taken his
hest pair of slippers, given him by Miss Mary
Carpenter, put spikes in the soles Of them and
was wearing them while playing ball, greatly TO
the benefit Of his basc-runnng. This charge was
disprovcd on July 10. Bat the young minister
continued to play, and the elders of the church
took the matter in hand. They called him Ia &C
count but he refused recognize their authority I,
saw what games he should or should not indulge in
The meeting was stormy one. The elders re-
turned 10 their homes with downcast heads, while
| the minister went over In Ezrn Green's back
| pasture and took them hot of the bat for two
hours defeating the Ncwburg cub Ivy scor,
| of - 10 l. But the worst was 10 come. The
| conference we have just spoken OF was held July
49, On Sunday, July -, the Rev. Mr. Forsythc
arose in his place in church at the usual hour, ant
| after giving notice of the meeting of the Ladies
| Aid Society at Sister lIurdell's Monday afternoon
the ice cream festival for the benefit of the new
organ NJ Sister Bayards Tuesday evening, tn,
usual praycr-mceting Wednesday evening" anC
several other things of minor Importance, he nddef
| that there would be picnic in Putnum's Grove
| Thursday the money raised 10 go into the ohurcl
| debt fund. Among other attractions" con
tinued the pastor there will he singing, speak
| ing, and So FORTH TO conclude ut 4 o'clock with
match game of baseball between the R0ckan,
| nine and the AIiddlctown 1errors, in which you
unworthy shepherd hopes To 20 behind the bat fo
| the home club. with Jim Shaclley in the box
| All are invited Ia he present" The next Sunday
August D. the elders locked the pastor out of Thu
church. lie promptly sent IN his resignation
considerable minority of the more libcral-mindeC