The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-04-19
ACTING A CARDINAL SIN.
Dr., Bishops scathing Sermon
Causes Trouble in His Church.
Active Workers and Their Families
Withdraw and Arc Angry.

GRANGE. n. j., April 19--There IL
another first-class sensation in the Re-
formed Church OF Fast Orange, and the
families Of John Leonard Merrill, David
y. brigham and others have left the
church because the pastor. the Rev. Dr.
George S Bishop. had in one Of his ser
mons said things which these parish
toner's appropriated 10 themselves as par
ticuiarly applicable to them and theirs.
Only n few months ago Joseph Moulton
Merrill. John Leonard Merrill jr., and
a. II. bingham were among the most
active workers in the church. but they
were too much welded to society to suit
their vigorous but opinionated pastor.
Dr bishop is rather peculiar in his
clerical ideas. He always wears full
black gown in the pulpit and viii &C
ccpt no stated salary for his services,
but collects from his congregation their
contributions by means Of small boxes
placed in the corridors. His wife is said
to he wealthy, and every Summer they
both 90 to Europe for a vacation.
MIR. Bishop Is Il hot Calvinist and Of
ten has his sermons printed for diStribu-
ton. His strong words have created
trouble In the chtrCh before, urcc In par
tCular when H. was said to have de
I
Jofn Leonard MERRILL. IN, vas one OF
the most accomplished voung men, AMI
On earnest worker in the church. He
used to conduct many OF the young peo-
pies meetings held before the Sunday
evening services. He was also n val
liable aid in the Sunday schuol, as was
also his brother Joseph.
The trJubl', however. was that John
'as said to be somewhat. OF "A frt. He
is a member of the best society in East
| Orange. and clever dancer and singer
He Is also President of the East Orange
awnTrnnis clph.
Len" Merrill as he is called has theat-
riral aspirations, and has written sew
eral pretty. operas produced under the
auspices Of the Lawn Tennis Club. He
| arranged and composed The Jalabaloo'
and "'rha Pollywogs of Shantytown'
| ana several other comic operas, which
the Club has given in various parts Of
Both the Merrills and young Brig
| ham are good clog dancers, and II is
against this particular branch Of the
| theatrical profession that DIR. Bishop Is
said to have taken exception.
| Not many weeks ago DR.. Bishop, in
| one of his sermons. denounced in scath-
and especially the amateur stage. He
gave the impression that it was his be-
| lief that 1t was a cardinal sin to in
'mige in impersonation in any form. At
young Brigham WINGED under the
thrusts given them, ana are reported to
| have become very excited over their
| Oastor's remarks. and to have made
known their wounded feelings TO their
| friends.
Scarcely week after this all of the
members of the Merrill family and the
| Erighams and other members Of the
congregation withdrew their letters
from the Reformed Church, and the
Merrills joined the Central Presbyterian
Church.
The Merrill boys are now. rehcarsinr
Cor new farce, which will be produced
soon.
Pastor Bishop, when seen by a reporter
denied that he had said anything which
| vas intended as IA r"bukc to the Merrill
| ~ brigham boys He declared that h,
| always liked to see young people enjoy
| themselves in n proper way.