The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-30
THE DEACON ANGRY.
Was Not Reelected to Office In q
Sunday School.
The Reason for This is That the Deacon
Sells Liquor.

Morristown, Nj, March 80 0-Ex-M Mayor
James p. Sullivan created a sensation In
the Sunday School of the Baptist Church
there, Sunday afternoon, when he con-
cludcd passionate statement with the
declaration: 1.-The time has come when
/ and my family will leave this school,
never TO darkcn its doors again.
The annual election of officers had just
concluded. All the old officers were re-
elected, except Mr.. Sullivan, as assistant
SUPERINTENDENT He felt this as "a per
sonal affront, hence his dramatic fare
well TO the school.
Trouble has existed every since Mr..
Sullivan, deacon in the Baptist Church,
added stock of liquor to his grocery
store, some rs months ago He admits
this may be the foundation of the trouble
Deacon Sullivan has been in the grocery
business here "a long time. Before join
ing the church he was "a Catholic. Two
years ago he left the Democratic party
and is now leader in Republican coun-
ellis. For 81 years he has been connected
with the Sunday school; for "a years he
has been its assistant superintendent
and Tor q years he served as church
treasurer, being retired two years ago at
his own solicitation.
Two years ago his son. W. Harry Sulli-
van, was elected treasurer of the school
Shortly thereafter the father and son
moved from u small store on Market
street to IA fine place on Park place, and
the stock of liquor was added. This
created much talk. That deacon in the
BaptistChurch should sell liquor was such
u surprise that IL was discussed with bated
breath. The church, rs a body, took no
action, but many members quietly boy
cottcd the dcacon's grocery. When the
time for elccting officers Of the sunday
school came around last March, all officers
We're reelected save the treasurer. w.
Harry sullivan was dropped without n
word. He hasn't since been in the sun
day school.
Meanwhile the Rev. Samuel Zane Bat.
ten had been called to the pastOratc OF the
church. He came from New York City
There he had been one Of DIR. parkhurst' :
rlghthand men, serving as secretary Of n
Vigilance League while assistant pastor
of Amity Hill Baptist Church In Norris
town his sermons on temperance and the
evils of the liquor traffic caused the mem
bcrs To- wink and nudge each other
Didn't he just rap Deacon sullivan
today would bo whispered as they filed
ont ot the door,
3" The deacon fairly squrmed," would
bo hoard i'm reply
Two weeks ago Miss Louise Baird, Mrs.
II. G.. Rowcl and the Rev DIR. Norman
J.. Fox were appointed 90 report nomina-
tions for officers for the ensuin: year
After the exercises Of the school were
concluded yesterday Miss Baird read the
committees report rcnnmnating all
the officers except Deacon sullivan.
Before action was taken Miss Baird
hurried around To the dcacons seat and
whispered 10 him. He hook his head In a
vigorous negative Then he left his
Bible class and went forward to the
superintendcnt's desk.
The election proceeded by ballot. The
deacon received 10 votes for assistant
superintendent while Edward Howell,
the cOmmittcc's : choice. received -