The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-09
WILL BE NO SERVICE
IN FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
TO-MORROW.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE GRANTED
REV. DIR. M'CORKLE TO PROHIBIT
SERMON HE ANNOUNCED.

of Next Week - Statements and
Grounds Taken by DIR. McCOrkIe
Contrary TO Doctrines and Teach
ings of Observation-Disclosures
Himself Inspired by Soul of Ber-
nard of Cluny TO Call Attention of
Professionalism to Its Error in PO-
sitiOn Regarding Place of the
Blessed Virgin Mary.
Rev. w. P. McCorkle, pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church, will not
occupy his pulpit tomorrow. He has
been granted an indefinite leave of
absence by the session of the church
and the first of the week he will leave
for st. Mary's, Camden county. 1t is
hoped that the trip will be of great
benefit to his health.
The subject of the sermon which
had been announced for tomorrow
night was 'The Error of Protestant
ism in Its Denial of the Proper Love
and Reverence of the Holy Virgin"
The doctrine implied by the subject
and the statements made by DR.. Nc
O0-@NAS OIL NAii6 AAio pOSlAAOllt nSlG 81
at variance with the doctrines of Pres
byterianism that the Session of the
church and the friends of DR.. Nc
Corkle decided that it would be unwise
for him to preach the sermon and at
once took steps to prohibit his doing
so.
1t is probable that there will be no
church services at the First Presbyte-
rian Church tomorrow with the ex-
ception of the Sunday-school. It has
been suggested that a Presbyterian
minister from Columbia would be
present to conduct the usual services,
but it is now considered that there is
not sufficient time for such action to
be taken.
The announcement of the subject had
created widespread discussion, not only
among the Presbyterians, but among
all denominations. 1t had been stated
first by member of the church session
that the pastor would be allowed to
preach the sermon, and his exact
ground be thoroughly understood be-
AOIC ally dCllOD WOulu DS ldhSIl. 1dlST,
however, consultations have resulted in
the action stated above.
Not WiIIiDg to Talk.
There is a general dissemination
among the Presbyterian ministers and
elders to take any public position what
soever in the matter, though they
clearly show that they were opposed to
the preaching of the sermon. None
would make any statement beyond say
ing that the ground which DR.. Nc
Corkle evidently would take was OPP
posed to the doctrines of the church
One summed up the matter as follows:
1.-THE Presbyterian Church has al
ways held the mother of Jesus in high
regard and in reverence. The first
part of the subject announced, The
Error of Professionalism, would seem
to indicate that the pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church has come to the
conclusion that a still higher tribute
is due her. This can mean only wor-
ship, or something very near akin to
it. This is contrary to all Presbyte-
rian doctrines, and, in fact, to all
Protestant doctrines.
other Statements Made.
A peculiar ground has also been TAX
en- by DIR. McCorkle regarding himself
During the course of his prayer meet
ing Wednesday evening he suddenly
stretched forth his hands and exclaim-
ed:
You do not know who am, nor
what 1 am capable of. There is
none of you who thought that 1 was a
verse and hymn writer. But l will
prove it to you. Thus far have held
myself in reserve, but l shall do so no
longer"
Immediately following this state
ment to his congregation came the
public announcement of his subject for
his Sunday night sermon. Since the
announcement was made il has
the press to see DIR. McCorkle
The statement to his congregation,
coupled with other statements made
to various parties has led to various
conclusions, the general opinion being
that DR.. McCorkle is suffering from an
hallucination.
Inspired by Bernard of C1uny.
The general belief, according to
those who have talked with DIR. Nc
Corkle is that he has come to believe
himself inspired by the soul of Ber-
nard de Cluny and through him direct
ed to do what he can to recall Protes-
tantism from it's attitude regarding
the place of the Virgin Mary. His ac-
tons and writings seem to give con-
siderable foundation to this view.
Almost simultaneously with his an
nouncement that his congregation did
not know who he was came the an
nouncement of the subject for the
sermon tomorrow night. Error of
Professionalism in It's Denial of the
Proper Love and Reverence of the
Holy Virgin" and the composition of
the two hymns to the Virgin.
In his conversation Wednesday night
DR.. McCorkle stated that in many
WAYS his life and that of Bernard of
Cluny had been similar and that some
of the old saints power had come to
him. The fact that Bernard is also
famous for his verse writing and for
his defense and elevation of the posi-
ton which the Blessed Virgin deserv-
ed in the hearts of the faithful, makes
the supposition all the more striking.
Cradle Hymns of the Virgin.
The two cradle hymns of the Virgin,
both words and music of which has
been written by DR.. McCorkle, are
pure lyrics in their nature, and have
an unusual touch of beauty about
them. They represent the Virgin
Mother as singing the Infant Saviour
to sleep on two different occasions.
The music had been prepared in con-
junction with the organist of the First
Church.
At the morning service a special
nT~du \