Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-01

from rage pnc
welcome to the church board of trustees
and the congregation In one voice is ask
ing, "Whcn will peace be declared?'
PEACE UNTIL TWO YEARS AGO.
Up until two years ago Glensldc was as
puIet as It Is pretty. Then only were the
first clouds seen dimly outlined on tho
horizon. At that time the duties of the
Methodist pastorshlp rested upon the
shoulders of the Rev. Richard Radcliffe.
who now is pastor of St. Mathews
Methodist Episcopal Church, SD and
Chestnut streets.
Mr.. Radcliffe left Glenside in 1918. His
sermons were inspiring He left many
friends. In brief, he was a beloved
pastor.
The Rev. William c. Sanderson then
was appointed to the charge. At first he
was somewhat coldly received by the
congregation, who missed Mr.. Radcliffe
and by the board of trustees. who wanted
some one else. The nine members of the
board had put in a call for the Rev.
Il. ]. Bond. now pastor of the Searless
Memorial Church in Pottstown. They
were doomed to disappointment, and IT
is current gossip in Glenside that one
of the board welcomed Mr.. Sanderson
with the greeting:
we Will have to make the best of It,"
The best" of It lasted two ycars-two
years Of strife and friction between the
pastor and trustees-the congregation sid
ing mostly with Mr.. Sanderson.
MIR. SANDERSON ADMIRED.
Admired by all denominations, Mr..
Sanderson soon became, In a large sense,
the idol of his flock. In speaking of him
today. one widely known member of the
church said:
"IIe was a gentleman in every sense of
tho word. He was charming in manner
and personality; his wife was one of the
most popular women of the town His
two daughters were beautiful and the
essence of refinement. He always had n
word of cheer for every one he met, re-
gardless of creed or race, He was an
exceptional man in every way.
His sermons were straight from the
heart and people liked them. The trus-
tees liked them, too, no doubt. but they
would not admit II. Mr.. Sanderson had
the misfortune-if one would call II such
to caution the young son of one of the
trustees who would insist on talking in
| church. He also went ahead on the con-
struotion of an extension to our new
church here without consulting the build
Ing committee. It's a good thing he did,
or the extension would not have been
built. even now"
THE BREACH wIDENS.
The breach between Mr. Sanderson and
the trustees wIdened while the congre-
cation nestled closer to It's pastor One
member of the hoard took his troubles
within earshot of Bishop Berry, Then
came the thunderbolt. At a stormy
meeting of the board, the Rev. Mr.. San
a Gold tla hap til,
knew what they were up to. Then he
| resigned. That was three weeks ago
| The trustees glory, II such 1t may be
called, was short-lived. More than 400
members of the congregation at once
hocked TO the pastors house with a paper
| bearing their signatures, expressing re-
gret that he was leaving and giving him
/ every testimonial of their love, friend
ship and goodwill. This reached the ears
/ of the trustees, and last Saturday they
resigned in a body. Their designations
will go into effect April 8.
| The trustees resigned for two reasons
First because of the feeling OF the con-
gregation. Secondly because OF the Rev
Mr.. Bond. They still wanted their favor
! ite OF two years back; but at the recent
conference the appointment was given TO
the Rev s. NJ. Thompson.
NEW PASTORS PROBLEM
murky cloud OF gloom oyerhangs the
little church here today. and the Rev.
Mr.. Thompson's task is by no means
an easy one. He admits that himself, but
he does not beat around the bush.
| He already had preached here on two
occasions and did not mince words to
| either the congregation or trustees. "J
will build up the church here" he said,
''but II we do not get along, 1 shall 20.
know great deal OF what has gone on
/ here I'm the past and want to insist that
things run smoothly from now on. IT'S
/ a case of do or die. I'm deeply i'm
| pressed with this little church and con-
| gregation and II We do not get along. I
know shall feel 1t deeply. 1t may mean
case OF the hearse backing up at my
door"
The situation is even humorous at
times. Are you all very much attached
to your pastor7 one fair member OF the
congregation was asked.
Whats the use?' she replied. "As
soon as we get TO like the pastor, he
leaves us for some other town"
TRUSTEES UNANIMOUS"
In speaking OF Mr. sanderson's resisna.
ton. +. ]. Justice OF the board Of trus,
tees. said: Il have no comment 10 make
for publication. The boards opinion oi
him. however, was unanimous"
The other members OF the board who
resigned are: Harry Huber, William Ne.
Cam, John Mcfarland. John Rattle
George Hudson. Howard Short hi 4
Wright and J. HelDnsr.
The Rev. Mr. aanderson nos Is nastor
af tne Methodist Church in Steeitaa. rhs
| elsaslae parish nsxs ~ pastor sos
Feazl