The Washington times., 1914-03-31
PETITION FOR RETURN
OF RYLAND PREACHER
Many Church Members Sign
Request for Retention Of
] Pastor Who Rebuked Choir.

Petitions requesting tie return OF the
Rev. Edward Gallagher to the pestorate
of Ryland Methodist Episcopal Churcn
for another year are being circulated
among the members and attendants OF
the church by the leaders of that fac-
ton OF the congregation which sided
with the pastor in the controversy that
resulted from his recent public rebuke
Of the choir.
This move on the part Of the pastors
friends was made quietly and was IN
tended to take by surprise the chor
and the official board of the church
Smarting under statements made oE
members OF the board to the effect that
a majority Of the congregation was In
sympathy with the attitude taken by
the choristers when they struck. Mr..
Gallasher's sympathiEers are now
threatening to smoke out the choir
faction and make them prove their as
sertions.
Bear Is7 Names.
These petitions. according to the pro-
uujgators, already bear 1S names.
They are to be submitted TO the ap-
pointive power Of the church" While
this is the only statement which those
handling them will condesccnd to make
Il Is significant.
Il il recognized, even by Mr.. Gallas-
her's most ardent supporters, that the
majority of the official board is op-
posed to his return, but the "appointive
power" does not lie with the official
board.
It is vested in the conference cabi-
net, composed of the bishop and the
superintendents for the several dis
tricts Consequently, it Is evident that
tho pastors friends are determined to
90 over the head Of the official board
Of the church and carry their fight TO
the conference in Cumberland, Nd. to-
morrow.
Whether Mr.. Gallagher would accept
another appointment TO Isyland Church
is problensatical. with the preponder-
ance q odds, however, favoring accep-
lance. He declines to discuss the sub
-lec& further than to recall the fact
that even before the trouble with the
choir arose he had announced his n
tentio1 to seek another charge.
Are Not Concerned
The members Of the board who de-
clined to vote q request for Mr. Gal
lagher's return declare that they arc
not concerned by the petitions, having
received assurances from the Rev. Whit
ford L. Mcdowell, the district super.
intendent, that Mr.. Gallagher will not
be sent back to Washington
The apparent placation OF the church
disaffection which resulted from the
letter Of apology written b. Mr.. GA.
lagher to the choir and the return OF
its members to their loft was merely
the proverbial lull berore a storm.
By making the apology, Mr.. Gallaghe.
ed to have the choir resume its church
duties. and now that its members ar,
again in their places. the pastor!
friends declare that there are man!
leave the church, not deisning to wor
ship at services In which certain mem
bers Of the choir take part.
The construction placed upon the apol
ogy to the choir by its members, &
friend Of Mr.. Gallagher declared today
was absolutely wrong.
In Interest Of Union.
The apology was made by Mr. Gal
!aSher." she said, mot because h,
thought that he had done wrong in re
ouking the choir. but in the interest o.
Union, and because the members Of tn,
choir felt that they had been wronsec
ported BY a majority Of the congrega
ton In his rebuke
1T Is untrue that during the absenc,
OF the choir. the pastor looked out OF
many empty pews. The fact is, tha
the congregations were larger durinf
the absence Of the choir than when tn,
singers took their places Sunday A
both services that day, the congrega
lions were made up largely of strang
ers. many Of the regular members de
clining TO attend service, because tn.
choir was present.
Many OF Mr.. Gallagher's friends ar,
piqued because he made the apology
They also deny that they have retractec
any statements to the effect that tn,
choir was responsible for former pas
tors leaving the church"