Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-12-28
NAMES OF PASTOR
AND WIFE ARE OFF
THE CHURCH ROLL
The Rev. w. T. S. Lumbar Asks
to Be Dropped as Member
of Church.
ACTION is TAKEN AT THE
REGULAR PRAYER MEETING
Two Other Members of Congre.
CATION NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Discusses Canadian Project.

Members OF the Mt. Pleasant Baptist
Church that have remained loyal to the
pastor, the Rev. w. T. s. Lumbar, who
has been under charges for alleged mis-
conduct with young women, are today
joyous over the fact that the prayer
the pastor would preside. was con-
Quoted in a quiet and spiritual man
ner. entirely to the satisfaction of Mr.
Lumbar and his friends. During the
services the pastor asked that his name
as well as Mrs. Lumbar's be dropped
from the books of the church, and a
similar request from Mr.. and Mrs.
Thomas Ward, of 343 Belleville avenue,
was read by the clerk, Theodore
Beardsley. Both requests were unani-
mously granted by the members.
Those who have been in opposition
to the pastor say today that if he had
felt that the members Of the church
believed in his innocence he would have
asked for a church letter, which is the
customary thing to do under the cir
cumstances. AS it is, neither the pas
tor and his wife nor Mr.. and Mrs. Ward
will nave a letter TO show tnat they
were members in good standing of the
Mt Pleasant Church.
officers of the church and clergymen
Of the Baptist denomination told re-
porter for the Evening STAR that
since the name of the pastor has been
stricken from the church books there
can be no investigation into the charges
made by Evangelist Phillips, who al
legged that member Of the congrega-
ton had made a confession to him
which implicated the pastor of conduct
unbecoming man and clergyman.
Association Discusses Story.
The East New Jersey Baptist AS
sociation Council, which met in this
city yesterday, discussed the scandal
in which Mr.. Lumbar's name has
figured and adopted the following reso-
luton:
Whereas. The permanent council Of
the East Jersey Baptist Association
hears with deep regret the rumors af-
fecting the Rev. w. T. S. Lumbar, pas
tor of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church,
be 1t
Resolved, That this council request
the Rev. w. T S. Lumbar, of the Mt.
Pleasant Baptist Church, or any men,
Der or members of said church to bring
before this council for full investiga-
ton all matters pertaining to the re-
ports made public concerning the moral
character of our brother In order that
the truth or the falsity of said reports
may be fully and carefully investi-
gated.
1T. r. THAMES, Moderator.
'E. o. WILSON, Clerk"
This resolution. however, is of no
avail, as it is not within the power of
the council nor the church to make an
investigation of the conduct of any per-
son not a member of the church or the
council. A deacon of the church said
last night: I'VE can do nothing further
in this matter after tonight. Mr.. Lum-
bar is not a member of our church and
we have no jurisdiction over him. Not
being a member of the church, he is
not member of the council and there
fore it is foolish to say that there will
be an investigation"
1t is said that members of the per-
manent council wished an investiga-
ton on the ground that it would benefit
the cause of religion to determine the
guilt or innocence of the pastor. 'Tt is
a mighty poor church that cannot stand
publicity" said one clergyman. eve
should never be afraid to let our con-
Continued ON sseoaa Pass9