The Washington herald., 1908-07-20

Elected from Iowa Circle. where they
had gathered to hold their usual Sunday
evening open-air services. a band Of wor-
Slippers from the HamIne Methodist Epis-
cgpaI Church. under the leadership Of
the Rev. Charles z. Guthrie. pastor. were
forced TO conduct their services yester-
day from the curb surrounding the park.
Despite the fact that a permit had been
issued TO them BY Mai Sylvester. and
that small bands OF companies OF young
people Of the congregation had held
meetings in the park before, the wor-
Slippers were accosted by Park Policeman
! A D. Thomas and told they could not
hold a religious meeting In the circle
/ Mr. Guthrie. who was 20 conduct the
service and preach a brief sermon. inter
posed and produced the permit. duly
I signed By the police authorities. He was
I told the park authorities did not recog-
nize such permits. and that he would
/ have 70 get permission from Col Brom-
well superintendent OF public buildings
and grounds.
It was also intimated BY the policeman
/ that the previous meetings had caused
some comment from persons residing In
I the vicinity OF the reservation. and that
the pastor and his fock would have to
move on
WOrshiPers Leave Park.
Not wishlng 10 cause a scene. and feel
ing sense of moruhcauon. the pastor
had the small organ closed and removed
OUTSIDE the park limits and set up near
the curb. This evidently did not meet
with the officers approval and he again
ordered those who were assisting IN the
ser<iee OF the grass and had the organ
-i-l-el f-t ,.-ay from the parking
With their daug.-- AID Mrs.
Adams we're put OF the grass because
they told Officer Thomas they were assist
ing in the services Those who were not
participating in the hymnaI singing in
the eyes Of the law were allowed 10 re-
main on the grass
With his small flock about him. the
pastor began the service. and before the
opening hymn had been sung. the on
lockers began 10 arrive in large numbers.
attracted By the rumor that the Rev Mr.
Guthrie had been forcibly driven from the
public park
Standing with uncovered heads. the
large crowd heard the words Of prayer
uttered BY the clergyman. and remained
throughout the service. expecting to hear
him denounce his ejector- But the pas
tor conducted the service as though moth
ing had happened. and at the conclusion
OF the meeting he and his congregational
band were surrounded by an immense
thronE. which, judged by its actions. was
in sympathy with the church people
The feeling aroused = the action OF
the park policeman reached a climax
al the night service al Hamline Church
The other bands which had conducted
their services at various points il the
neighborhood Of the church, and many
outsiders assembled at the ediice last
evening and awaited 8sr. Guthrie's YER
sion Of the affair.
Pastor Makes Statement.
Il was while he was delivering the
sermon that DIT. Guthrie made his state
ment- BE said. in part
To be driven from a public park after
having obtained what was thought 70 be
the necessary permission. seems not only
mortifyine. but humiliating in the ex-
IRENE What makes the matter more AK
gravating is that We who are members
Of Hamline Church. an institution estab-
Iished in this vicinity for more than forty
years. and Of a religion recognized to be
above reproach- should be forced 20 leave
a reservation because we were about 10
hold religious service
7 do not mean 20 criticise the officer.
but what I blame IS the apparent misun-
between the police depart
ment and the park authorities Surely.
there ought 20 have been some means OF
saving the pastor and members OF Ham
line Church from being expelled from a
private park
We are not socialists 81 anarchists. nor
lid we carry drums. We went 10 the cir
lie 10 hold religious service such SIS IS
held in vario'Is' other parks in this city.
In fact. We were not notified TO keep
away from the park. and I cannot under
stand Why the police and park authori-
les could not have patched UP the
difference until the service was over. and
.hea Strengthened out the affair between
themselves. I obtained q license TO con
iuct meeting in the park. and II the
permit was not Official OF II the police
department was at fault IN issuing IL u
vas a matter which should have been set
led in another manner The park au-
horities might have recognized Maj Syl-
-ester's permi. for the time being. and
hus have saved US from an embarrassing
situation"
Congregation Is Indignant
The statement caused much indignation
.mong the congregation. and many
eemed bent on bringing she affair TO the
attention Of the Commissioners.
One member OF the congregation vehe-
nently denounced the action OF the author
ties and said there were certain estab-
ishments in operation every Sunday
which used various forms CT music to at
ract audiences without fear OF mOlesta-
ion.
Rev Mr. Guthrie. when seen after the
erTsce. last night. said his grievance was
.ot against the police or park officials,
ut was against the disregard OF one de-
artment for the permit issued by an
ther branch OF the District government
Ie seemed TO think the matter sho1rId