Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-06-07
NEWARK PASTOR
CHARGES CRAFT
IN CHURCH ROW
The Rev. Frederick W. Hook
Says He Will Make
Charges.
DECLINES TO MAKE ANY
SPECIFIC ACCUSATION
Says Refusal to Move Sec.
ond German Presbyterian
Proves Contention.

I can promise o some mighty in
teresting developments when his af-
fair of my resignation is over with
said the Rev. DR.. Frederick w. Hook
today TO an Evening STAR reporter.
His statement was an answer to the
question: rs there any graft going on
IN the Second German Presbyterian
Church," He is pastor of the church
and there is a lively row on over his
resignation.
While DR.. Hook refused to state spe-
officially what the interesting develop
ments' would be, he did not deny the
allegation that there had been crooked
work on the part of someone who has
an influence in managing the affairs of
the church.
AS a counter-charge comes a written
statement from a member of the church
that DR.. Hooks alleged dictatorial atti-
tude in managing the affairs of the
church has made him enemies, and has
lost members from the church. Moreover
1t is charged that on account of his
connection with Stevens Institute of
Technology, where he is assistant pro-
fessor of modern languages, he is neg
lecting his work as pastor of the
church.
"At this time sai5 DR.. Hook, II
will not make public my charges that
] may later bring against certain var
2 ties. l want to find out what they
intend to do with my resignation,
whether they wish to accept it and
stay in the old church building on Sus-
sex avenue, or move to Roseville, as I
have suggested, and keep me as pas
tor. If they stay where they are I
will not remain pastor.
Can't Be Honorable Motive.
why they have stayed in the Sus-
sex avenue property, against my will
and against good judgment, is some
thing that 1 will not explain. You ask
me if there has been any graft or
crooked work, n l will not deny it
Only a dishonorable motive would i'm
pei anyone to use his influence against
moving to Roseville, for there is no
honorable reason why we shouldn't"
Yesterday afternoon, at a meeting of
the presbytery, it was decided to in
struct the session of the Second Ger
ma Church to hold a meeting June %
to decide whether or not to favor DR..
Hooks resignation and whether or not
to move to Roseville.
According to a statement forty-one
out of seventy members voted to favor
the resignation at the last meeting,
May 4, and DR.. Hook, who did not in
reality wan to resign, according to
this statement, circulated a petition
among members and non-members
asking the presbytery not to accept the
resignation, getting forty to sign. For
this reason the ~presbytery deferred ac-
ton.
Pastors Explanation.
Explaining the tangle in the church
affairs, DR.. Hook said:
I'VE nave for years been discussing
the removal of our congregation to
Roseyille, where two-thirds of our COM
municants and contributing members
now reside, and where we would have
one of the finest fields for a strong
German church. Somehow or other the
discussion has resulto I in no decision.
ION October 16, 1907, a meeting of the
session and board of trustees was held
to consider the question of the sale OF
our church property n the remova
to a new locality. 1t was the mani
NOUS opinion of the officers hat the
interests of the church would be served
best if we were to sell and move to
Roseville. Consequently, it was re-
solved to call a meeting of the con-
gregation to fully n freely discuss
this important matter, and a order to
avoid any possible misunderstanding it
was further resolved to have postal