New-York tribune., 1908-04-16
CALL B. O. DENHAM BACK
NGREG4TION4L VOTE.
Hest .56th Street ParishiOners Viii
ing to Forget Charges.

II the Rev. r. Q Denham wants 10, he can come
hack from his parfshioner's orange plantation in
Florida the pastorate of the Church of the Dis
cples % Christ in West 56th street. from which ne
has been absent for some time. congregational
vote the result OF which certainty from the
beginning. made doubly sure by the disappearance
Of brother just before the ballotnG, who brought
hack bunch Of the faithful. decided IN favor OF
Mr Denham There were iSs votes cast. out OF
which it announced that IS had been cast In
favor OF the pastors return. Although every one
who belonged the spiritual communion OF the
church MAS supposed to be eligible TO vote. Mrs.
Eliza beth r. Granns and her supporters, who did
rot want the former pastor to return, were not
allowed TO have their votes counted.
Mr.. Lehman for six years pastor Of the
church Then members Of The congregation learned
of charges made against him at North Tonav andd.
Right on top Of that charges Of immortality were
made sPainst him by two women neighbors- Judge
Mayo he'd him for The grand jury. but no indict-
ment was found against him. Then he resigned,
three years ago. While he has been away Miner
Lee Beals has been acting temporary shepherd
of the fock Since he ceased 10 be pastor of the
church the Rev. Mr.. Denham has been managing
orange grove in Florida. it is said. for Mrs
Symonds. OF his former parishioneTs. He has
4 wife and three children.
II is doubted By many Of the members of the
congregation that Mr.. Denham will care to return
10 this city The dissenters say that, while they
will not their connection with the historic old
church. they will not accept him as a pastor.
Curtis p Brady. OF those who cannot find Mr..
Denham acceptable. seemed 10 voice the sentiments
OF the defeated last night when he said:
y can never il Denham is allowed 10 return,
allow, him 10 prea en- 10 me. ! could more think
OF allowing myself or my wife to sit before Den
ham who rs no minister OF God. than could think
allowing any loud mouthed speaker in the streets
preach TO me-"
As soon as the meeting vas opened it was easily
ssen that Mr. Deuham going 20 be asked 10
come back. His supporters according to the other
side had 10 ask him 10 do this to justify them
selves Tor their previous stand even if for no other
reason. Those who have been against the former
pastor wanted 10 put him the grill and have MS
character discussed. His friends got this motion
tabled on hand vote-ls to l3 Mrs. Granns tried
10 vote-agsnst the pastor-but the presiding ON
Ger Robert Chrisey. the senior elder. decided that
she had no vote. The same decision applied to her
friends Mr Christey IS said to be no particular
friend Of the former pastors. but J. H Benton
who shared the same table with him in presiding
AZ the meeting. IS against Mr.. Denham's foes and
Nj Christcy when il came 10 a pinch, let Nj
Benton DO the talking.
Brother pplegate succeeded. against the earnest
opposition Of John L. y. Hurt. formerly OF the
Board OF Education. who quoted all the laws on
the subject in squelching the desire to have MT.
Denham's past aired. but the vote showed the
need Of more pro-Denham votes Then roHcall'
under protest like all the other moves OF the meet
ing was called. and the vote as announced IA
vored Mr.. Dcnham's return Nine-tenths Of those
present were women. and most OF these wanted
their pastor back. Mrs, Grannis, who has been a
comInuncant Of the church for forty-eight years
was not allowed but several children, with
their hair down their backs. voted for his return
After tic ballots been cast the tellers retired
out of sight TO count them. AS soon their backs
were turned the opponents Of the former pastor
admitted their defeat. 8sEkl
4 don't know ANYTHING about racetrack gam
bling" said one OF them, but think that ii is
what they call odds on bet that we lose We
haven't chance in tn world now, that l can
see"
Then the vote was announced, and il seen
that they had guessed just right.
Before the vote vas cast Brother Hunt. who at
time president of the Board of Education.
Tried prove that the law was being violated in
the conduct Of The meeting In his opinion the
state statute religious corporations should gov
the meeting. Brother Francis NJ AppIegate.
VINO is Brother Denham's right bower convinced
Brother Christey that Brother Hunt did not know
any law ~ all
He's been SO long out OF practice" said Brother
Applegate. that he doesn't know any law at all.
opinion
Brother Benton, when ne came out Of the little
room TO announce the result of the vote aske j
mat no demonstration be made. He read the re-
suit as tabulated by the friends of Mr.. Denham
aad Dy request II was almost received in silence
one sister spplauded and one brother hissed SO
IT Uss even break
Among those who wanted the parson TO return
10 1he charge OF tie 56th street flock were C.
- Hlisoie. J. = Pearce. Robert Christey Irving
{ Stump; the clerk. J. y. Mnnick and loan
II Benton, who ruled against all the argument.
cA me opponents Of Brother Denham. Mr. Hunt
Ieo most Ct the opponents. aided by sam W
Hohe and Mrs. Hoke AMI Miss Hoke: r II Johns
-'a'A n moore and James J. Moore Their
women folk siso refused TO wish TO continue "a
accept Nj Denham's spiritual minstrations. bu;
." 'n+ otheI women think that hes perfect dear
ana 'hey don't care if those stories are true any.
how. ''' aug
FATHER INIhM prnnrrrnn aa LA