Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-24
AGED MINISTER BEATEN
AND LEFT UNCONSCIOUS

Continued from Page One
members are said TO support him without
exception.
"If you don't get out well get you,
| you old - -" his aesailant
| shouted as he struck the clergyman
The Rev. Dr Spencer who lives at 2735
! North 18th street, is one of the most
widely known Baptist ministers in this
! city. lie Is ending his seventh year as
| pastor of the Lehlgh Avenue Church.
/ Prior to taking that charge he was pas
| tor of the Chelten Avenue Baptist
| Church, He was pastor of the RoNbor-
ough Baptist Church for l3 years, and for
three years was district secretary of the
Baptist Foreign Mission Society
Just one year ago Doctor Spencers
present church saw the last Of a stormy
dissension, he says. AT that time 10
members OF the church withdrew after
unsuccessful attempts to force their
pastor into resigning. The $50 who re-
mained had no sympathy with the at
tempt to oust Doctor Spencer, II is de-
clared. For time after the resigna-
tions of the dssenters, the clergyman
was annoyed by anonymous letters, in
EenioUsly made by pasting printed
words on note paper. The senders evaded
breaking Federal postal laws by placing
the missives under the door of the
church instead of mailing them. The
threatening letters stopped several months
ago.
STRANGE MAN CONTRONTs HIM.
About Z o'clock on the night of April
90, Doctor Spencer left his home to take
some music to the church. Mrs. Spencer
had gone out for the evening with her
mother Walking to 18th street and Lee
high avenue, he mounted the steps lead
ing to the 18th street entrance of the
church. As he unlocked the door,
strange man stepped up to him.
81 want to see about joining your
church" he said.
Very we'll" said Doctor Spencer.
"Will you step inside?"
Doctor Spencer led the way into the
vestibule and turned to switch on the
light. Tho only illumination in the hall
way came from n gas street light on the
opposite side of 18th street.
THAT won't be necessary said the
stranger. II only want TO speak to you
a minute. Is there any service here to-
nlsht2'
mo" the minister replied. THE choir
will he here for rehearsal about o'clock
l am bringing this music for them
isn't the sexton here?"
Not yet He will be here a little be-
fore g."
The man still had his back to the light
I'p to this time he had spoken in low
even voice and had aroused no suspicion
that he was not, as he protested to be-
seeking admission to church member
ship.
MANS MANNER CHANGES.
Suddenly his whole manner changed.
Speaking excitedly. in higher voice, he
said "so-and-so will come back If you get
out" The man he named, DR., Spencer |
SAYS Is one of the members of the con-
gregation who left it last year He
launched into a diatrbe which, according |
to the pastor, indicated that he had been |
coached by some one thoroughly familiar
with conditions in the church before the |
secession.
stop this" commanded DIR. Spencer. |
You have nothing to do with this ahair.
Who sent you here?"
"That's all right, who sent me here,
shouted the man. "1f you don't get out |
we'll get YOU" he said, adding vile oaths. |
He drew his hand back to his right |
hip.
"I thought he was going to pull out |
revolver" the minister said today His |
fist shot out from that position and he |
caught me in the pit of the stomach. | |
reeled back and struck the wall, barely |
missing the iron radiator. If l had struck
it, it would have fractured my skull, the
doctor tells me-
FEELS FALLEN PASTORS HEART.
LAS l lay on the floor barely breath
Ing and almost unconscious, he bent over
me and felt my heart. He may have
thought he had finished me. At any
rate, / didn't know anything more for
more than half an hour, when Chester |
Summers, the janitor, came in by the
side door and found me lying there. He
-evived me and carried me to my home,
where / lay on bed until my wife came
n. / was in bed two days, getting up
o preach Sunday. That was month
lgo, but | still feel the effects of that
avage blow"
Doctor Spencer's assailant was a man
# medium height and stocklly built. lie
gore a derby hat and an overcoat reach
ng to his knees. His mustache, the
Minister thinks, was false In the dim
ght, with his face in shadow, he APP I
cared to have a small beard. He walked |
oiselessly, apparently wearing rubber
eels and Doctor Spencer believes he had
ollowed him from his home two blocks
way.
The minister has been examined by
hysicians since the attack. Dr. William |
Sinner, 1905 Cambria street, his family !
hyslcian, whose wife is a member of the i,
ehigh avenue church, refuses to talk t.
bout the clergyman's condition. Accord :
g to Doctor Spencer, the physician said y
le minister is stlll suHerlnB from nervous /,
rock and that his escape from death was
le to the fact that the assailant's fist
d not land over the minister's heart
Id to Doctor Spencer's rugged condition.
TO OBTAIN EVIDENCE
Boyer assigned TO the case
special policeman whom he describes rs
me OF the best men in Philadelphia"
he time which elapsed before the attack
as reported has made IL virtually inn
,ssible to gather evidence. The Lieu
nant offered TO give Doctor Spencer z
guard whenever he felt it necessary. 4
ne minister has been followed on the 81
rect at least once since the attack on |
m, v
=, r. Summers, l4l7 Indiana avenue, the $
urch ianitor, believes the thug was /
MT by enemies. A church reception, TO e'
held tomorrow night In honor OF the d
.stors 18th birthday, bears testimony .
the high esteem in which his con- Z
egation holds him, he declares, Doctor :,
encer was rs years old yesterday, q,
The trouble in the church which Is be- a.
we'd to have caused the thugs attack ~
ID it's beginning eight years ago in the a.
torious Dean affair" Dean. pastor of ~
Q Lehigh avenue congregation, resigned a.
ter revelations OF alleged irregularities a,
his personal conduct and in his min a.
-erial ONCE, At the time. there were =,
savory charges made openly and by a