Evening journal., 1904-03-22
CHURCH
IS UP IN ARMS
Failure of Conference to Re
turn H. S. Dulapy Stirs
Up Congregation
CHANGE CAME As GREAT SURPRISE
Delegates Were Assured of His Re-
turn Yesterday-speolal Meeting to
be Held to cOns,aer Protest of Mem
bers Tonight.

aSifSNNs
The failure of the Methodist Episco-
pal Conference to return the Rev. II.
S. Dulany as pastor Of Asbury Church
has stirred up strong feeling among
the members Of that church that bodies
no good to the coming pastor, the Rev.
c. S. Baker.
The people think they have been im-
posed upon and in no uncertain Ian
guage do they resent it. The whole
lneighborhood around the church is in a
turmoil.
The removal came as such sur
prise that the people of the church were
almost struck dumb when they learned
of the change. They had been assured
the Rev. Dulany would be returned to
them and had gone so far as to pre-
pare a reception for him. There will
be no reception and steps are already
being made to have Bishop Fitzgerald
reconsider the appointments He was
seen this morning by !. Elmer Perry
and William Z. Gem as he passed
through this city, but he refused to
reconsider the appointment.
Were PROMISED Dulany.
Mr. Perry and Mr.. Gem. who were
the delegates TO the conference, left
Dover at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon
after being assured they pastor would
be returned to them. 1t was also gem
orally understood throughout the con-
ference that no change would be made
az Asbury.
Mr.. Gem this morning said: "The
Rev. Baker may be an able man, but
he is not Mr.. Dulany 1t would have
not mattered If the Bishop himself had
been sent here. 1t would have been a
disappointment TO our people.
During the past year Mr.. Dulany
has increased the membership 300. He
was popular with all the people and the
best man we ever had. Mr.. Perry and
myself are almost afraid TO face the
people Of Asbury. We were told if we
did not bring the Rev Dulany back
with us we need not return ourselves
1. Elmer Perry said IN the mildesi
language 1 can think Of it Is the worsi
loutrage ever perpetrated on Asburs
Church, which Is one of the oldest ir
Methodism. We have been shamefully
treated and the whole congregation is
up in arms. We We're given every as
surance Mr.. Dulany would be returned
and had gone so far as to arrange a re-
ception for him. We are not sure now
one will be held. We have not yet laid
the blame at anyone's door but the mat
ter viii be thoroughly investigated"
Mr.. Dulany Deeply ,doved.
The Rev. Dulany arrived in this city
at Ills this morning. When he saw
several Of his congregation at the sta.
tion he could hardly keep the tears
back. The first indignation meeting was
held right there but many others are
being held in all sections of the Easi
Side this afternoon.
} Tonight the official board will hold q
special meeting at 7.3O o'clock to con.
slider the matter, when it is thought an
official protest viii be made. 1t is saic
il a petition is circulated (and 1t is
probable one Wild will be signed by
almost every one Of the 100 members
There was no factional fight in tbs
church, everyone being unanimously
in favor Of the return Of the pastor
Rev. Dulany Greatly Surprised.
When approached at the station by
an Evening Journal reporter, Mr.. Du.
lany said; 1T was like a clap Of thun.
der from a clear sky. The first intima.
tion 1 had that I would not return t
Asbury was when may name was call
ed for the other charge"
In conference ethics a retiring presid.
ing elder may ask any favor he wants
regarding an appointment. Asbury be
ing one of the best charges, it is sait
Mr.. Baker made that demand, wh'cl
has caused all the disturbance in thil
city.