The evening world., 1906-04-27
METHODIST CHURCH
GOES ON A STRIKE
Pastor Transferred for Social
ism, So They Secede and
Retain Him.
lspecI,l o nc EvcaIne worlal

AGIfNANA N" AHN .'NNH
RTDGEFIELD PARK. y. j., April
77--This town Is the scene OF a great
religious schlsm. The Methodists have
gone on a strike. They have seeded
from the mother church and Sc, them
selves up as a religious sect or thei'
" hook. only seven s~tand-by-the-
fa4th's are left.
The trouble. although the to~wnspeopl'
refuse to regard 1t as such. started
soms months ago. when some OF the
moro conservative members OF the
Methodist church took exception to the
sociallstio Views OF their pastor. the
Rev. II. W. Wilson.
Mr.. Wilson Is n singularly cultured
and intelligent man. In creed and doc
,rine he is a true Methodist But some
OF his pArishloners felt that his broad
social theories were not IN keeping with
his position as their spiritual adviser
They admitted THAI Mr.. wilson had
never e1pounded Socialism from the
pulpit. bu, shey maintained that rs he
was confcssedly q Socialist he was IN
worthy OF shcpherdlng them,
Preacher Was Transferred.
So these dear. good Phillstines for
warded their complaint TO the govern
Ing conference. and two weeks ago AF.
Wilson received notice that ne was
transferred 10 u parish In Staten Island.
HIS devoted churcht members were
immediately in arms. They rallied to
the defense OF their beloved preacher
They held an indignation meeting IN
the village board room. And many
frinds OF Mr.. Wilson. members OF other
churches and men who had never been
church-going people before they got
into the habit OF going TO hear TINS
man, Joined the Methodlsts. This SIN
guIar religious body. after passing reso-
~iut,ons on the fitness Of Mr.. wilson.
and OF him only. to be the guardian OF
their souls. organized themselves as a
separate and distinct body-ihe Peoples
The new church body Immediately
.ent "a call" to Mr. Wilson. The gen.
tleman ard his wife were dls1onsolate
IN the parsonage packing up their mousse
hold gods. when the elders from mo
new church approached the parson and
laid their request before him he ac-
cepted on the spot. That very night ne
sest en- expla ratinn II his Methodist
men higher up that a pressing engage
ment in RidgeheId Park would prevent
his accepting their kind invitation 10
.move on TO the Borough OF Richmond
or course. Mr. Wilson did tho thing
properly and with dignity.
Rented the Parsonage.
Then the Peoples Church stole another
march on the MethodistS Iney wen
right around to the real estate Office
and got a lease or the Wilson house be-
fore the Methodlsts even thought OF re-
newing theirs. SO all the Wilson's have
10 do is TO unpack and settle down IN
their old home.
Everybody Is blissfully happy hut tie
seven Method.sts. They are wondering
hos they can bear the burden OF i
PERSONS salary, church expenses, sc.
on their slender shoulders. when they
scented uear-heresy In their preachers
doctrines they didn't smell such a rat
as a complete secession OF the parsons
loyal friends.
Last Sunday Mr.. Wilson preached
his first sermon before the Peoples
Church In the Ridgefieid Park hose
haouse. The hail was crowded and the
village people say that they never saw
such "A friendly religious spirit as en-
thtsed those seeding worshlppcrs. The
town Is as uDllfted by TINS Method ST.
Free Church war as Il - had neen
swept VITA O great waye IT religious
revival. Mr.. Wilson has baen So busy
receiving assurances OF fealty and sun |
port from his flock that he was obliged
TO run of to Bound Brook FOR a little
visit to recuperate. He is there now
visiting his married daughter. Next
Sunday will see him again in his i'm
provlsed pulpit IN the hose house.