New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-27
WENZEL'S EXPULSION UPHELD.
HIS ATTORNEY SAYS He WAS rail-
ROADED" FROM THE LEE AVENUE
CONGRFG ,TroNAr CrTT-Rcp


The action society of the Lee Avenue
Congregational Church. at Iee-ave and Hooper st.
In UNFOLDING early yesterday morning by vote
Of % TO q the expulsion % Henry Wenzel a former
Sunday-school teacher OF that church. was the
topic Of conversation among the congregation yes
teriay. The meeting was held after Wenze had
persisted in public hearing AZ told in The
Tribune. wenzel formerly taught Bible class OF
young II is alleged that about two months
ago he gave lesson ~ whcn e!Gh; OF the young
took offence and left the class after telling
their mothers. The Board OF DeacOno went Into
hearing OF the with the pastor Of the church,
the Rev John Britain Clark They decided TO re-
lieve Wenzei OF his class Wenze demanded
hearing and went far TO consult Jaw
yer. The latter. however. was unable to do any
thing and Wenzel decided to fight until the con-
grega'ion gave him hearing lie obtained II on
Wednesday night.
Only members o; the church who have confessed
faith were allowed be present and vote. Pew
holders and others who were not in that category
permitted to be present and those who
did attend the hearing were pledged TO secrecy
II was stated that ~ the beginning OF the pro-
cccdlngs II was found that there were not enough
teachers presen, 20 indorse the action taken by
the Board Of Deacons. so the eight young women
who were Wenzel's accusers were at once appointed
teachers and thus given vote The church was
represented By Mr. IIaviand. and Wenzers interests
were lJokad after ~ Willard :. Sprague. lawyer.
over and although everybody connected with The
church refused speak. Mr.. Sprague was finally
prevailed upon TO tell something
the meeting" he said. was stormy, one and,
as a.. balance of power against Wenzei, ne
WAS badly treated. Whenever ! rose 10 argue
was ruled out OF order and Others who wanted 70
speak I'm WenZel's favor were not allowed 70 De
henrl such conduct. even IN cutthroat polltical
meeting would not be tolerated. For three ana
half hours the prosecution heard. They had
r.aoluilons etc and II was only when they hai
cy naust.d themselves did II come Wtnzels turn
To- speak. lie put IN a genera denial ana wheh
| rose 20 argue the | was called down ana
was unable to continue my argument; 1t was evi-
dent that the pastor and the Board OF Deacons
went TO the hearing prepared 10 force WenZel from
the church In my opinion he has been railroadei
from m. church 1t an outrage, and conduct
unb.coming any Christian body, 10 say nothing
Of a body OF ladies and gentlemen.
After much persuasion Mr.. Clark. the pastor
Yesterday consented 10 give out some parts OF the
proceedings He said that the eight younS women
pave their testimony and that Wenzel was gwen
AN onnortun,ty of cross-eXlm ming them. and ne
declined 10 take that advantage. Mr.. Clark added
,bnt IN. testimony OF The young women was sup
nIen.nta by statements he had received from other
rhurrhes where Wenzcl formerly attended. and
that those allegations were almost Identical win
the assertions OF the eight young women MIR
clark said further that he consulted persons nigh
I'm church matters. and all OF them agreed that
he expelled.