The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-10
REV. MIR. SMITH REPLIES.
He Didn't Keep All the Money Con-
tributed by Candidates.

Rev. D. Smith of the Asbury African
church in North Topeka, accused of
having taken up collection at
a candidates meeting in his house
of worship on Thursday night amount
ing to $3.50, and pocketing it, march
ed into the State Journal Office this
morning and stated that he was ready
to give an accounting of his steward
This money is lawfully used" he
said. Il paid IS of it to the board of
missions, and the other $3.50 I applied
on my salary. I guess it is coming to
me. Since have been pastor of that
church I have paid off $1,000 of its
debts. I have bought an organ for it.
have paid for more than $50 worth
of coal for it. The board of trustees
gives me nothing back. I know what
am doing. I am faithful to my
charge. On next Thursday evening
II shall call another meeting of the
candidates in my church. l Will let
them speak, show themselves off, let
US see what they look like and what
they want. and then I will again have
the contribution plate passed The
proceeds will devote next time to the
running expenses of the church-at
least a part OF II.
Il see it was given out last night in
the State Journal by somebody that I
ran away out of the back door with
this money. That is not the case.
didn't run. ] walked, and walked
slowly. Some members of the board
came and demanded that money. I
didn't give it up. 1 told them that It
was to be used according to the pur-
nose CT God and Christ Jesus. I have
to give an accounting to the great
bishops of my. church What I have
done is right"
Mr.. smith wrote out the following
statement in regard to the matter
which is given exactly as it came in all
its original and emphatic simplicity:
to the editor of the Journal Dear
sir I wish to correct the statement
made in your paper friday ewing in
regards of the politician meeting held
in my church thursday ewing [ was
requested to call this meeting IN the
intrust Of Mrs Lizzie Jones of which
/ she was chairman and I did not have
amy cross words with amy one my
self it is true that Horace LambeFson
who was recently made trustee by
my request seeing $14.50- spread out
over the table as the results OF the
great meeting came forward at once
/ and said Mr.. Preacher what are you
going to do with all dat money and as
/ he stood bent over the Table Looking
/ [ Kidly informed Him that it was
going in to my pocket and in it Wint.
/ there was no Lock on the door Broke
+ and there was no running did When I
/ turned the Light out at the back door
/ I Wint out that way as I all ways do
/ I wish to say the $14.50 given to me
/ by the county candidates on the night
] Oh the great meeting w eAS Eu4 AAG4 over
/ to the committee appointed by the
church of which Mrs Lizzie Jones was
/ the chairman and she used the money
as follers she gave $500 to the
preacher on his salary $500 for form
mission $3.50 for Lites for the church.
/ I Will say Asburry N. E. church is
doing better to day than it has ever in
/ its History there Has bin nothing to
show my having bin semiofhcially dis
missed the majoriaty and working
members of the church wood be glad
to have my return as pastor and other
year Bishop Wilson OF the Metho-
dist Episcopal church win say where
I shall 60 next confence year. and if
( he sails come back to Topeka I viii
be on the first train We have stand
ing COMMITTEE on fighting the preach
/ ers and petition them away at the
/ close of the year and they do not do
amy thing for the church during the
year. This COMMITTEE is well nown
through the confence-
Have served four years in this
charge and by the Help OF God can
serve four more.
D. SMITH. Pastor