New-York tribune., 1891-05-22
THE PASTOR MADE IN APOLOGY.

FgIENDs AND FOES OF THE REV. MIR. soMMER
HAVE STORMY MEETING.
Tho trouble which has existed between the Rev.
Gnstav sommer pastor Of St Matthew's German Evan
gelcal Lutheran Church, in North Fithst BrooRlyn'
and the board of trustees eliminated last night IN
lively meeting concluding with apparent reconclia-
tion For some weeks bitter feeling mas eXlsted Do
tween Mr. Sommer and Trustee Rau owing to an al
lered insult which the latter received from the pulpit
of s>e church. The attack on Trustee Rau was due
70 the ANNOYANCE the pastor had received during MS
illness from Mr.. and Henry Kness, another mem
ber of the board and alleged attempt on the part
OF these two to onst him and secure new pastor
several attempts had been made by Mr. Rau ana his
daughter Louise to have Mr. Sommer MAKE puDhc
apology for his onslaught upon him, but they Iaiied
until last night when the pastor In an open meeting Oh
the hoard of trustees and congregation expressed MS
regrets.
The meeting was held in the Sunday-schoolroom OF
the church and two policemen were there TO prevent
trouble 1t was expected that an attempt would DC
made by the board Of trustees TO keep the congregation
ont Of the building The congregation filled the seats
of the room as soon the doors were opened seven
n the twelve trustees, who opposed to Mr. SOM
NOR sat together President Rau acted as chairman
He was surrounded by Trustees Henry Logeman, val
cntine Magnsan John l.. Mahlsedt, Henry Husenetter
and Henry Kross. II,
he wanted
togcther Mr. SOmmer and told the congregation
that they must not get eydted. AT this point MI
Mahstedt declared that Mr.. Sommef had issued ue
nosial cards for the meeting without the consent Oh
tbe secretary and that during his eighteen years as
member of the church he had never seen such actions
ue then protested against the congregation being pres
ent An uproar among the congregation ioliowed,
A. soon a. order had been restored a member aNSe
md decared that the trustees were not wanted IN tn
nretIng Ihls was followed with cheers and cries oi
" Go onS by the women. ,,., ., ord
Louis Thorn principal Of the parochial schooi hn anu
fond OF the pastor attempted to get the moor WIeu
Mr. nan Jumped from his chair and threatened ~ Pue
him i'm his seat again. Mr. Rau declared that lh9rn 9,
had no voice I'm tho meeting as ne had NOT paS, nus ns
new rent Mr.. Thorn produced his receipt. lWnEo E
became 50 lively that Mr. sommer suggested tnat e
noijce be called In, but quiet again was Iesoie9 lI9'
ouise Ran here tried 10 speak but was Kissed down;
Mr. nan was finally compelled To leave the chair anu
Herman IIOch made chairman -, A.. .or
Mr. sommer then got the floor. and-tod the con-
,recaton that during his Illness he had been aH.
, nnved nv Mr. Rau to such an extent tHat ms Mllo
Us b-yi,ght 70 tears When he referred 10 Mr. kau
from the pulpit he said he was suher1ng from a =
fever and attributed his action To the fever ana no.
cxpreselons Of sympathy for the pastor were hear1'
~; Srmer said that as his congregation had eX,
messed confidence in him, he hoped that the hatche,
PoId no hurled Miss Louise Ran again rose and
Eed Mr. sommer 10 take back what ne hsd sala a91u.
her but She was again hissed down. The meeting
then adjourned