The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-03-03
CUPID MADE THE TROUBLE
His Engagement to Edna Groves
Is the Cause.
FIRST PREsBYTERIANs EXCITED
The Preacher Is a Divorced Man and
His fiaDcee a Sweet-Noiced
Choir Singer.

Rev. W. D. Nicholas. after April /. will
no longer fill the position OF associate pas
tor of the First Presbyterian Church. The
session has notified him that his services
are no longer required, and the preacher
will seek pastures new.
This action on the part OF the session
has been foregone conclusion for some
time past.
DR.. Nicholas has been indiscreet for
preacher. 1t is only eight months ago
that his wife got divorce from him. and
now the preacher is engaged to marry Miss
Edna Groves of Oakland, a dashing blonde
soprano who sings in the First Presbyte-
rian Church choir. The indiscretiOn which
has caused the gossips of the large congre-
CATION of DR.. MackenZie's church TO roll
sweet morsels under their tongues was not
in being engaged to Miss Edna Groves.
out in being so hasty about it after his
divorce. In any event he was persona non
grata to great part of the congregation.
and even &c members of the session, by
reason of his being a divorced man. IT
was on account of this that Mr.. Nicholas
was not engaged permanently, but by the
month. so that his connection with the
church could be severed at short notice
without violating any agreement. de re-
ceived no call. but was asked to assist DR..
Mackenzie. He is an able man and an
eloquent preacher. He claimed before
the session that he had allowed his wife to
obtain the divorce rather than take such
steps himself.
While members OF the congregation
deny there is any scand al there is cOnSd-
cradle whispering and surmislng going on
and much has been said of the valuable
presents given by the smitten pastor to
his ladylove. After the most approved
manner of gossip it has been whispered
that it was impossible for an associate
pastor out of slender stipend to make
costly presents of jewelry and bric-a-brac.
As is often the case tue eagerness of the
gnssips to talk has made them overlook
he fact that DIR. Nicholas is fairly well
off. He has resided at the Palace Hotel
since he has been here. 1t Is understood
that q settlement was made by his " lie
people at the time of the divorce. The
former Mrs. Nicholas was the daughter of
a wealthy citizen of Columbus, Ohio.
There were two children by the marriage.
The W ddiDg of Rev. Mr.. Nicholas and
Miss Edna Groves is announced TO take
place in April, after which the couple will
take a bridal trip to Europe, where they
will remain some time.
Regarding this affair which Is causing
so much talk in church circles, j. ID.
ChOwn, an influential member of the
session, who lives at S28 Powell street.
said las, night: ut is quite true that we
have notihed Dr. Nicholas That IL IS better
for both the church and himself that he
should sever his connections with 1t. THIS
takes effect on the first of the month.
| There is no scandal whatever about il.
He has been indIscreet in becoming en-
gagged so hurredly after his divorce, and
we feel that the religion of the lady is a
bar TO his remaining in the church. He is
very capable preacher and it is IN
fortunate that he is a divorced man. though
his representations 10 us have been such
as TO make us understand that he allowed
his wife to have the divorce He came here
with papers from his pIesbytery ana ap-
peared to be all right. Financially he is
well fixed. and pays his way wherever he
gees. l am informed that he will 60
abroad"