The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-04-20
WHY HE RESIGNED.
Explanation of Frank Vrooman's
Exit at Worcester.
HE CRITICIZED CHURCH MEMBERS
For Vulgar Songs at . Church Enter
tainment-The Members Resent It.

For Vulgar Songs at q Church Enter
tainment-The Members Resent IT.
The explanation of the Rev. Frank
Vrooman's resignation as pastor of the
Congregational church at Worcester ID
found in the Worcester Telegram 1t
appears that charity concert was given
by the members of Mr.. Vrooman's
church at which several songs of vul-
gar character were sung and he took ac-
casion to openly rebuke them from the
pulpit Mr.. Vrooman said:
Il understand, the management Of the
supper and entertainment are not in the
least responsible for the songs. l said SO
Wednesday night, but the matter of the
responsibility makes no difference. The
which were immoral and vulgar, and l
also said that I never heard anything
worse in any theater / ever entered in my
life.
The character of the songs is simply
this if the whole truth must be told
One was something about two lovers who
sat on a fence which had been tarred and
who got stuck on the tar. Being stuck,
they made desperate efforts to get loose,
and in the struggle they tore the rear
portion of their clothing, which adhered
to the tar, and not to their persons,
presenting such a spectacle to each
other as to cause them forever after
to pass by without speaking. That song
was heartily choered, and, II remember
correctly, it was encored.
"The next song was not so bad, but it
was decidedly low and vulgar, and it oc-
ours to me that anything low and vulgar
in the house of God is especially out
of place 1t was a song about a married
man who loved pretty girl better than
his wife, He tried to make an appoint
ment with her to meet her in the lane.
She accepted the appointment, and wrote
letter in return which fell in the hands
of the wife. The latter met him there,
instead of his lover. and she carried with
her a horsewhip and the scene was acted
out in which the husband and wife met.
the former getting horse whipped for
making love TO the pretty girl
''Now, whatever may be peoples tastes
regarding such songs as these, there is
only one path for me to pursue and that
is to do my duty. That kind of singing
is an outrage on common decency, and
won't have it in the church of which l
am pastor without the severest rebuke.
q said Wednesday night, while l ex-
having anything to do with such songs.
have visited theatres in different por-
tions of the world, and / never heard any
thing nastier than that And it is poor
commentary when you have to go from
a church to theater to get good taste
n your mouth.
q also told my people on Wednesday
that one of those songs was such that if
it were published and illustrated. it
would cause the arrest of the vender for
the sale of obscene Literature, and the
United States mails would not carry it.
don't care who is responsible for such
songs, l object to having them sung in a
church with which l am connected.
They are not clean enough for me or
mine.
"The very people, doubtless, who sat
in those pews and cheered to the echo
Bowery variety show song, are the ones
who criticiSe my views about cards and
decent theaters. must say that l am
not up to the standard of Puritan morals,
which will criticise Irving's rendition of
The Bride of Lammermoor,' and enjoy
such song as that about the lady and
gentleman who left remnants of their |
clothing on the tarred fence, and who, on
account of the few remnants that re- |
manned would not speak to each other as |
they passed by"
Here is the Song.
The following is one of the songs to /
which the Rev. Frank Vrooman took ex-
o, sweet avocations,
They bring variations.
So thought johnny Hopkins. clerk.
As off like rocket,
Went his cash in pocket,
Released from duh office work.
+ He 6,, DID ar not go touring.
But to a small village unnamed,
Where he. though married,
A love affair carried
ana with young girl would eXclaims
(REFRAIN.)
I'll be there, love, at half past nine,
L III be there, be it rain or shine.
IN your true love and you mine.
So meet down the lane at half past nine,
Now they must be pited,
For they both omitted.
To mention which end of the lane,
" hist he stood for hours,
At one end mid showers,
She stood at the other in rain.
She waited till ten.
And then said. he's like all men.
But I'll meet him tomorrow instead.
With heart down to zero,
She wrote to her hero,
And this is the way the note read:
I'll be there. etc.
Johns wife was not vicious,
But she grew suspicious,
SO down TO the village she came.
Arrived unexpected.
The note interrupted,
Resolving to upset his game.
Thought she, half past nine sir,
The fun will be mine. sir.
For as the clock strikes, Ill strike. too
With hOrSewhip she waited,
And met him stated.
And walioped poor John black and blue;
Saying. I've got here love. at half past nine.
we got here, don't you think it's fine?
I'm your true love, but you're not NINE
she left her trademark on poor John at half