Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-22
THE ROOT OF EVIL.
1t Led a Cool Thief to Garry on the
Contributions.


From the Philadelphia Times.
The First Presbyterian Church, German
town, was crowded with a fashionable con-
gregation yesterday morning when the
Rev. DR.. Charles Wood preached on 1.-The
Love of Money Is the Root of All Evil"
At the conclusion of the service some one
stole the contributions, which amounted to
about $500. All the congregation had not
left the church when the fact that the
money was missing was discovered by
Treasurer Samuel Dennison. He immedi-
ately informed DR.. Wood. who was con-
versing with several persons. A search
was made Immediately by those present
1t was thought that possibly the bag which
contained 1t had been mislaid. 1t could not
be found, and the conclusion was reached
that it had been carried off by a thief.
There was q special collection yesterday
for the Sunday school in connection with
that which it has been customary to take
up every Sunday. After the money was
received in the contribution boxes 1t was
dumped into q little bag as has been the
practice, and Treasurer DenniSon took
charge Of 1t. Mr.. Dennison has been in the
habit of depositing the money in a corner
of pew until service ended and when
leaving the church taking it with him
On this occasion he did not, unfortunately,
deviate from what had been his method of
attending to his duties for years. The
money was carefully laid in corner of
the pew by Mr.. Dennison, and while the
congregation was leaving after the service
was finished he Joined in conversation for
only few minutes with several persons
When he went TO the pew the money was
gone.
While Pastor Wood was talking to sew
eral of the practitioners, a man who was a
stranger, and who is supposed to have
been the thief, stepped up and compli-
mented him on his oratory.
For years." said the stranger, II have
heard repeatedly Of the fashionable char
quence as a minister. and of the mag
nifcence of your edifice. l am now con-
WINGED, after attending service today. that
nothing / have heard about this church
has been magnifled."
DR.. Wood patted the stranger on the
back in his customary friendly manner
and said he would be glad to have the
pleasure of numbering him among his con-
gregation.
The mans face beamed with smiles at
the reception accorded him by the popular
pastor, and after repeating very briefly
again his impression Of the church, he
bowed to those standing close to him and
walked out. Several of those who were
near the minister remarked that they had
never seen the man before.
1t was after he had left the edifice that
Treasurer Dennison informed Pastor Wood
that the money was missing. In order to
overtake the stranger, who was suspected
Of being the thief, a courier was dispatched
Immediately to the fourteenth district sta
ton house. Special Policeman Cairns was
detailed on the case and ordered to make
an investigation at once, and within one
half hour a description Of the man was
forwarded to the Central station A squad
of police was sent in search of the man to
the several stations on the Pennsylvania
and the Philadelphia and Reading rail-
roads but no trace Of him could be found.