The evening times., 1898-12-17
WAR OF A MINISTER ON
CONCERTSsIN CHURCH
TEARS DOWN THE SHOW POSTERS
PennsyIvanias Pastor Fined for
Giving Practical Illustration
of His INDIGNATION,

Stroudsburg, Pa, Dec. 17.-War with his
trustees has cost the Rev John Thomp-
son s25775, that sum representing the
amount Of fine and costs which he was
compelled to pay for venting his anger on
some flaring posters.
The Rev. Mr.. Thompson is pastor of the
Presbyterian church in Portland, a town
near Delaware Gap. He is known as a
strict disciplinarian, having had several
disputes with members of his congrega-
ton who were inclined to hold liberal
| ideas. In this case a proposal to have a
sacred concert in his church aroused
his ire and led to his fine
A Mr. Dorsey, colored man, who an
nounced himself as the manager of the
Asaph Concert Company, composed of
colored vocalists, arrived In Portland last
week. While at dinner in hotel Sunday
he met L. II. Nicholas, a trustee of the
Presbyterian church, and afterward sang
for the latter. He said that he had ar
ranged with the Methodists for a concert,
but Mr. Nicholas and Dr. Albert Haugh-
waut suggested that he break this con-
tract and called meeting Of the trus-
tees to consider the matter. The presi-
dent of the board. Mr.. Bruglar. and the
pastor, however, were not notified.
Mr.. Dorsey was inclined TO be timid,
but finally he agreed to break his en-
gagement with the Methodists, and "sa-
cred concert was arranged for next
Tuesday.
Mr.. Thompson went to the postofiice
Wednesday night FOR his mail. on his
way he passed two boys from the stone
quarry. How about the concert in the
church?" they asked. He did not un-
derstand at the moment, but when he
reached the postOffice he did. There on
the wall was a flaming red and blue half
sheet BILL which told in letters inches
long that the Asaph Concert Company
would perform in the Presbyterian
Church a program of Comic, classical
and sacred songs. including plantation
melodies and Mr.. Dorseys great song.
written and sung by himself, entitled
The Wrecking of the Maine "
Who put that there?" he asked.
II don't know" sail the postmistress.
Mr. Thompson tore the til from the
wall and threw 1t in he s-reet Then he
went through the town tearing down hills
and demanding that they be taken nIIt Cf
show windows. He vas successful In al
places ,ycept a hotel, r. IN which he "'as
ordered out. s.st
The trustees were Indignant They de-
clared the concert should 90 on, buJ the
pastor was equally firm and threatened
physical opposition Dorsey was at a
loss what TO do. but finally he had the
minister arrested yesterday Justice of
the Peace Transue heard she case Mr..
Thompson at first meant 10 fight the case
to the higher courts. bu1 he was advised
not to do so. as q Stat. law gives The
right to collect So for each hill torn
down.
He concluded today to give in. Dorsey
was satisfied with SO, the justice got 81 IS
for costs and a lawyer received SIS. this
amount being added for a little pun
ishment." The lawyer afterward donated
the sum TO the church, with the under
standing that it was 10 be used for any
thing except the pastors salary"
Rev. Mr.. Thompson said: .ssYes, I tore
down the posters, because the law of our
church Will not allow the holding Of
worldly entertainments. Their program
was one that would not be correct for the
house of God l simply did what l con-
sidered my duty"