Evening journal., 1909-03-20
CHURCH GREETS
FORMER PASTOR
Continued From First Page.

ye have seen this day ye shall see them
again no more forever"
Tho minister made but one personal
reference.
lie said that he had known for years
something of the rush and hustle In
newspaper offices and therefore, could
understand why some misstatements
had appeared IN the newspapers of this
week. He added:
Il will ask your indulgence for
few days however. probably until Mon
day or Tuesday. while ! am preparing
a careful statement which / shall give
70 the press and present TO YOU
AT the close of the service, while the
ofiiciary of the church was celebrating
Dr. Lightbourne was surrounded by a
crowd Of his parishioners and was
Obliged to hold a twenty minute recep-
ton. Women cried and strong men ap-
peared with the sympathetic tear. but
the face OF the minister wore a broad
smile and he had cordial handshake
for all and a God bless you" for the
older folk who had come out in a
threatening night.
In his testimony, DR.. Lightbourne
said:
My connection with the Church Tri-
umphant still holds. and / have en-
joyed a closer fellowship this day with
Jesus Christ, my Saviour, than at any
time i'm my life"
Committee Reports to Conference.
The select number of Wilmington NJ. E.
Conference ministers which on Monday
night found that DR.. Lightbourne's ere
dentials were invalid. made its report TO
the Conference yesterday.
The finding Of the select numbers, as
the fifteen jurors sitting in the inquiry are
known under the church law, is as fol-
lows:
your select number in the matter OF
the credential by which a. w Light
bourne was admitted into Wilmington
Annual Conference Of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church do after careful considera-
ton Of the evidence produced unanimously
find that the credential aforesaid was
fraudulent. and that his standing in the
ministry and membership of the Methodist
Episcopal Church is therefore rendered
null and void"
credential Bobs Up.
The credential mysteriously received by
mail by Easton. (Md) quarterly confer
ence in 1902. on which DR.. Lightbourne
was taken back into the Methodist min
istry. was in evidence at the inquiry. II
could not be found when wanted at the
trial a year ago. 1t was discovered some
where early last year. Where It was found
has not been stated publicly. That it had
been found was told In THE EVENING
! JOURNAL many months ago
The fact that the credcntial was spuri-
Gus was admitted by counsel for DIR.
Iightbourne. who offered no defense at
the inquiry.
Bishop Moore presided over the session
OF the select number. and passed on the
admissablity OF the evidence adduced.
With the exception OF an affidavit It all
was from the transcript of Dr. Light
hourne's trial at Conference in Whining
ton year ago when he was acquitted Of
completely in or knowledge Of a fraudu-
lent credential purporting TO be from the
Congregational Church. There was no
charge against the moral character. no al
legation that he had anything to do with
or knowledge of tho forged credential. The
fact was emphasized by the Bishop and
by counsel for the Conference and for
Dr. Lightbourno that no question was
raised as to his moral character.
Church Was Thronged.
Milford Methodist Chapel. I'm which the
inquiry was conducted, was crowded be-
yond capacity Tho greatest interest cen-
tered In the proceeding Practically every
minister Of the Conference and many
laymen and women were there. The pro-
ceeding was public,
Dr. IIghtbourne was absent. lie con-
sidored that he had withdrawn from the
Conference and ministry and membership
OF the Church by his action at the Confer
ence session that morning. The big dele
cation of Dover laymen ignored the in
quiry. too Some of them, sick at heart
had gone home in the afternoon. Others
remained with DIR. Llghtbourne at his
room in "A hotel during the evening
At the opening Of the session the gath
ering united IN singing Guide Nc G
Thou Great jehovah" Bishop Moore Of
fered prayer, alluding TO the gravity Of the
inquiry pending. Then the select number
Of fifteen ministers gathered in front OF
the church, and the investigation pro
ceeded Miss Elsie NJ Curlett, OF wim ng
ton. was stenographer. She officlated II
that capacity at the trial year ago. and
read from her notes OF the former trial al
II they we're plain English
Routed Or. Kellogg.
When the roll Of the select number wa
called Rev Dr. Hiram W. Kellogg o
= Grace Church, Wilmington. did not re
spond
Hes TO preach at Avenue Church to
, night" one minister chimed out.
"He was appointed a member OF tn
select number and should be here" as
serted the Bishop.
Il am sure he did I1t intend to come.
ventured another, "as he is on the pro
gram to speak"
Go tell Dr. kellogg the Bishop wishe
< to sec him here Immediately" commando
\ the Bishop. turning TO a young minlste
2 nearby. The ministerial sergeant -at-arm
I hiked around to Avenue Church. DR. lle
D logg was sitting on the pulpit platforr
there awaiting his turn to address a bi
meeting OF the Board OF Education an
Conference League societies. He wa
3 quickly informed OF the Bishops fortl
h with summons and responded forthwith
y too.
u There was some handclapping when ID
Kellogg smiling. and nodding to th
Bishop made his way to the front Of III
chapel The quest for him consume
seventeen minutes. Then the inquiry g
\ into motion again.
! Bishops Summary.
I'VE arc here TO inquire into the valdit
OF the credcntial under which Dr. Iigh
bourne was admitted into the Methods
e Church" said Bishop Moore. THE invest