Evening journal., 1907-07-15
PASTOR DEFIES
PARK BOARD
Rev. J. N. ArterS, Of EpwOrth
Church, Held Services in
KirkwOOd Park
PASTOR WYATT SCORES RULE

In defiance Of the ruling Of the Park
Commissioners to permit no religious
or other kinds OF meetings in the city
parks. the Rev. j. M. Arters, pastor OF
Epworth NJ E. Church, last evening
conducted services IN Kirkwood Park.
He had not asked for and had not OBJ
tanned a permit for his twilight service,
which was conducted without molesta-
tion on the part Of the park commis-
sion or the city authorities
Pastor Arters held service In Kirk
wood Park week ago. That was be-
fore the Park Commissioners took their
definite stand against the holding OF
meetings in the public parks, when the
Rev. f. Il. Carpenter, of Mt Salem
Church asked for a permit to conduct
worship in Rockford Park
The kirlSwOod Park service was
largely attended. Epworth choir sang
some selections, and addresses were
made by Presiding Elder A. S. Now
bray and Pastor Arters. the latter TAX
ing as his subject MANS Answer to
Gods Call" Neither preacher referred
to the action OF the Park Commissions
ers.
Says He Will Hold Services.
Pastor Arters this morning was ask
ed whether he would contlnue to hold
meetings In Kirkwood Park, and no
said Il was his intention to do so every
Sunday evening during the summer A
report 10 the effect that the services
were held was submitted by the park
guards today TO the commissioners.
During his twilight service in Eighth
Street Park last evening. which was
attended by 500 persons. Pastor O. T..
| Wyatt OF Harrison Street Church, had
some tart words to say about the ac-
/ tion OF the Park Commissioners. In
part Pastor Wyatt said:
III it be true. as one OF our papers
states, that the Park Commissioners
have refused to allow the parks under
control OF the board to be used here
lafter for religious meetings and that
their action was prompted by the tenn
perance meeting held at Rockford Park
on last Sunday evening. Il leads many
to ask rls the saloon power OF VIII
mington inspiring this opposiuong
II the Christian people of this city
are led TO believe that the saloon power
is causing an embargo TO be put upaH
religious services conducted by clergy
men Of high standing II will be resent
ed by all lovers Of righteousness and
! sobriety.
"We> are holding religious services
3 here every Sunday evening during the
summer by the grace Of the city Coun-
ell. which cheerfully gave us the privi-
lege. over this park the Park Commis-
sion has no Jurisdiction.
Likens Il 70 Russia.
"The action OF the commission might
go unchallenged in Russia, where re-
ligious and political liberty is greatly
restricted, but TO refuse a minister OF
the gospel the privilege OF conducting
divine service IN park when the exer-
cises are orderly and helpful will not
go unchallenged In Christian America
and in a city OF church going people
like Wilmington.
1T Is 10 be hoped that the commits
sion will not enforce their action. The
, course Of those commissioners who
3 stood for the church Is 10 be highly
, commended. Perhaps those who voted
to shut out the services base their ac-
tion upon gross misrepresentation.
j which might prejudice even judicial
, minds"
Other Outdoor Services.
The Rev. l.. f. Carpenter OF Mt.
Salem Church, made no effort to con-
duct services In Rockford Park after
being refused permission by the Park
Board. He said this morning that he
would make no effort TO conduct SER
vices there until he was granted per-
mission 10 do so. and he expressed a
hope that the commissioners would re-
consider their action soon.
The Rev. X. j. Hammond. rector OF
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, High
lands, conducted services in the church,
yard last evening. The Sunday school
choir and the quartet choir Of the
church sang several selections, and
Rector Hammond made an address
Pastor II. A. G. Westerfeld of Asbury
M. e. Church held services on the lot
fronting on the Christiana river below
Fourth street wharf at twilight last
evening. Many persons who were walt
ing TO board the steamboats, for Phil
adephia stopped to attend the service
Pastor Westerfield likened the voyage
, of life 20 the current of the Christiana
river, and said there was no saliva
tion for those who missed the lifeboat