Evening journal., 1913-01-20
PARSONS MARRIAGE VIEW
MAY COST HIM HIS PULPIT
The Rev. w. H. Hanfzmon's Public Criticism of the
Rev. George L. Wolfe Results in Friends of Latter
Declaring His Passionate Closed YoufhfuIPasfor
Says He viii Stay Until Conference
Removes Him

The little First Methodist Protestant
Church, at Seventh and Walnut
streets. and the pastor OF the congre-
cation that worships there. are at
tracing considerable attention at this
time as result Of letter made
public by the Rev. William II. Hantz-
mon, who has had charge of tho
church since last June, aud some re-
marks he made concerning Whining
ton as Gretna Green for clipping
couples, in which he brought in the
name Of the Rev. George l.. Wolfe,
former pastor Of the church.
Mr.. Hantzmon letter and remarks
appeared in the Sunday Star, and the
members OF the congregation awaken
cd yesterday morning TO read some
really exciting news in which their
pastor figured They had all day 70
digest the letter, and last night "a
committee asked him TO resign his
pastorate. They paid him what money
was due him, it was said, and told him
| he was no longer wanted as pastor.
Mr.. Wolfe had proceeded him as pas
tor Of the church.
Mr.. HantzmOn is a young man. hav-
/ ing but recently finished course at
a seminary, and the local church is
his first charge. He did not resign
as the committc had asked. but de-
clined 60 quit unless his resignation
was asked for by the Rev John S.
I Bowers, president of the NJ r. Annual
! Conference. who lives in Baltimore
Mr.. Hantzmon told a reporter for
THE EVENING JOURNAL today that
he had sent a special delivery letter
to- DR.. Bowers today, informing hin
of the course he had taken relative tC
improving the conditions under which
so many marriages are performed
here. and inclOsing several newspaper
clippings. IF DR. Bowers tells me
to resign. I will" said Mr. Hantzmon
"and IL | am compelled to leave il
will mean the closing of the doors OF
the church for good, as the Annual
Conference is tired fooling with thi:
church.
81 propose to hold services, unless
instructed otherwise by DR. Bowers
even though must preach to emptl
pews," he added
The trouble was started by Mr.
Hantzmon sending letters 20 tn,
newspapers in an effort to arouse
public sentiment to improve the pre-
sent marriage laws. He mentioned
Mr.. Wolfes name in remarks he af
terward made. and this is what hurf
the feelings of the members of his
congregation. Mr.. Wolfe has been q
Wilmingtonian for seventeen years
and has been pastor of First NJ. T.
Church for thirteen years, and the
members of that church have a warm
spot in their hearts for him. particul.
arly as he sometime ago saved the
church property for the congregation
when It was about to be seized by the
sheriff On account of i'll health Mr.
Wolfe has preferred not to take activ,
charge of a church but has assisted
the church whenever it needed his
help As result Mr. Hantzmon's re
marks amout Mr.. Wolfe we're not re
lished by the former pastors friends
and at the conclusion of the services
last night he was asked to resign.
Wanted TO "BOx" Him.
Mr.. Hantzmon had been forwarneC
and prior to the evening sermon bas
ed on the Life of Christ, he sal,
he would like to make few remarks
concerning the letter that had ap
peared in the Sunday Star He saiC
he had heard that some people of the
church were going to box" him. HI
continued:
II again say I will not retract OF
recant anything / have said The
marriage laws, as | have said ar,
socially and morally corrupt If you
folks do not like my statement,
cannot help it. Those who do moi
stand by me. or are opposed to me
then the shoe must fit pretty tight
The condition in Wilmington is hor-
rible and shameful am going t.
follow a plan of work in which hope
ito run into some definite conclusion
I hope you will take kindly to it. II
mot. I cannot help it ! will sticl
here as long as there is anything e
stick to, and as long as God gives me
voice 10 speak, | will speak"
AT the conclusion Of the services
ID. Espenshade who was in the con
greeation asked those present to re-
main seated. A conference with Tx
pastor then followed. Mrs. David A
Hay, addressing the minister, IN
formed him that it was the desire
OF the congregation that in view o.