Evening journal., 1909-03-23
LAYMAN DEFENDS
DR.. LIGHTBOURNE
Prof. King Condemns the
Treatment Of Former
Pastor Of Wesley
REFERS TO PASTORS
GREAl WORK FOX CHURCH

Professor George E. King. director
Of Epworth NJ. Il. Church choir, one
of the most active OF Methodist lay
men In this conference and a friend
fof DR.. A. w. Lightbourne. today gave
out the following interview in defense
of the ousted preacher:
Methodist laymen all over the PEN
insula are compelled TO hang their
heads in shame at the treatment ac-
corded the Rev. Dr. A. w. Lightbourne
by the action Of the Wilmington Con-
ference.
What could have been the motives
that prompted this injustice to Dr.
Lightbourne ?The presiding bishop stat
ed the charges did not affect his moral
character IN the least and yet the
Conference proceeded to kick him out
as though he had been the most verit-
able criminal. II this is Christian
charity or love, good Lord deliver us.
Charges were brought against him at
the session of Conference held last year
in Asbury Church, this city, and he
was acquitted and his character pass
ed. A motion was made that the whole
matter be forever buried and finally
1t was agreed to indefinitely postpone.
the intention being to lock the door
and throw the key away. But from
later developments II seems that hard
~ had the sessions of the Conference
closed before some of these ministers
began anew their charges against this
faithful preacher.
I'VE confess we cannot understand
the quality or make-up OF a preacher
of the Gospel Of Jesus Christ who so
far forgets the spirit Of his Master as
to stoop to such schemes to crush a
brother.
What civil court weuld hound the
most hardened and confirmed crimi-
nal in the manner that DR.. Light
bourne has been treated.
What an awful commentary on
their profession Of the spirit Of lovel
Without being given any notice. as we
understand, and being denied the priv
ilege OF preparing any adequate de-
fense this faithful preacher is sud o
denly confronted with an action that
means his ministerial life or death,
as far as the Methodist Church is con-
cerned. Where was there any exhibit
tion OF brotherly love? Is IL possible
that not single man in all the one
hundred and seventy-five members
more or less, OF the Wilmington Con-
ference, had a word of sympathy for
this brother? From reports, the only
one TO show any signs of concern for
the brother was the Rev. w. +. Tomp-
kinson, superannuated preacher,
who had TO face what some present
called a disgraceful scene I'm order to
be heard in asking a simple question
OF information. II seemed as though
thel were afraid this aged superan-
nuated minister was going to show a
little spirit of fairness to DIR. Light
fbourne. and wanted to choke him off
i A beautiful spectacle for men and
angels to gaze uponl All this looking
toward the ousting OF a brother min
lister against whose moral character
nothing in the least is alleged-only
some faulty credentials.
'Dr. Lightbourne may have been in
strumental in breaking up an infdel
club when he was put on the Cordova
Circuit a few years ago, and been the
means of the conversion Of the MEM
bers and their uniting with the church,
along with a number Of others during
great revival under his direction.
This must be forgotten; only the glar-
ing fact OF faulty credentials could
be remembered.
"His splendid work as pastor Of Ep-
worth Church, in this city, during
which time the mortgage indebtedness
OF the church amounting to $4,000 was
|, raised and the mortgage papers burn
ed, and the fact of his leading the
members into higher Christian ex-
perience. must all be forgotten--his
credentials were not exactly regular.
"Middletown Church felt his Chris
tian influence, in that he raised the
standard OF membership to a higher
plane, and the whole town remembers
his splendid fight and victory for the
temperance cause. The members of
the Wilmington Conference do not
apparently remember this. They do.
remember that something is wrong
with the credentials.
"As a splendid climax TO his pastor
ates comes his unparalleled success at
Dover. Wesley Church has not en-
joyed for years the signs OF spiritual
life and growth developed during DR..
Lightbourne's work among those good
people. II any one doubts the genu-
ineness of this beloved brothers work,
let him visit the capital. Their loyalty
TO this man OF God amounts TO devotion.
But speak OF his great work there In
whispers. the Conference might per-
chance hear it. Forget all this--there
is something the matter with his cre-
dentials.
These men, composing the trial
committee, It appears, had no other al
tentative. according TO the law of the
church. but to serve on the jury. Some
OF them were personal, friends, who
possibly could not do otherwise, under
the ruling than return the verdict
which they did.
"Their work was swift and sure and
DR.. Lightbourne was compelled to leave
the seat of Conference, without a sim
} gle hand held out in friendly grasp
or single word Of sympathy. II this
is Christian-like; IL this IS brotherly
love- then we have mistaken the mean
ing OF the terms.
"a host Of Methodist laymen
! would rather be in Or. Light
bourne's place to-day. without any
credential or church membership or
earth but with a clear conscience than
be his censors flushed with a feeling
/ of exultatiOn over such victory"