Evening journal., 1916-12-15
HISS RULINGS
Of DR.. COOKE At
TRUSTEE s TRIAL
Refused to Allow Witness to
Testify on Ground She
is Unbeliever
OUTRAGEOUS SAYS
counsel FOR Defense


Several hundred persons attending
the trial OF Clayton L. Crew, trus-
tee Of Wesley NJ @. Church, and su-
perintendent Of the Sunday school, on
charges Of causing dissent.on in the
church, were aston shed last night
when scenes similar to the hearings
or witchcraft vogue n the early DAYS
OF the country were enacted. This
was when Mrs. Ella Jones was called
by Caleb Z. Burchenal. counsel for
Mr. Crew. Henry r. Isaacs, attorney
r0r the church, objected on the
grounds that Mrs. Jones was an un-
oeilever. Mrs. Jones, when question
co. said she had been a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church for
the past thirty years. believed in God.
eternal punishment and satisfied
many present that she is a Christian
AZ heart. Despite these assertions, Mr..
cooke. who is presiding as Judge az
the trial, refused to allow Mrs. Jones
to testify.
The action OF the presiding fudge
caused the Rev =. II. Dashiel. one OF
the attorneys for the defense. to ex-
CLAIM that the passage in the Bible
OF St Pauls appeai to the Bereans
should be stricken from the HOLY
writ II Mrs. Jones can Justly be bar
RED because Of her seeking inform
alton.
When the belief OF Mrs. Jones was
attacked. there were hissss heard
throughout the room and at one point
IN the hearing marked by the hand
clapping, which greeted a point OF law
made by attorneys for the defense. III.
Cooke said: ut Is evident that there
are a lot Of Russell followers pres
ent.' This caused more Kisses and
one man, a spectator. arose and
shouted at the presiding officer: "You
cannot say anything against that Wo-
mans character"
The hearing was enIivened at times
by shouts OF rotten Kisses and stint
lar sounds from the spectators. Mp
Burchenal at one time objected TO Mr..
Cooke as presiding officer, giving tes-
Timony. saying: This Is outrageous
7 am lawyer but 7 never heard of a
nudge giving testimony" Mr.. Cooke in
formed Mr. Burcheual that he was ont
NJ order. adding: There are a few
things you have not seen yet which
you may see before You die" This
exclamation was likewise greeted ,vith
Kisses from all parts OF the church.
The first witness called was Mrs.
Frank Bower. who said she was pres
ont at the Sunday school board meet
ing on September %. when Pastor
Cooke presided and gave talk on
the necessity OF the teachers attend
ing church services. Suddenly Mr.
Crew arose. the witness said. and
exclaimed that he had something TO
say which might offend some present
Turning to Mr. Cooke, he said. IT
mean you, Brother Cooke. and I
want you to take that sign down from
the front Of the church by tomorrow
night or this church will have more
trouble two weeks from tonight than
n ever had" The sign. the witness
said, pertained to the election of a
new trustee.
Mrs. Boyer then related how Mr..
Crew, addressing the teachers pres
ent, asked how many would stand !
by him and how many wanted him
10 remain as superintendent A few
arose according to Mrs. Boyer and
Mr.. Crew said; II will run this school
regardless of Cooke" Mr.. Crew then
put a motion to elect three teachers. !
and Mr.. Cooke refused 60 put the mo !
ton saying he had not conferred /
with the superintendent. Mrs. Boyer !
then told him Mr.. Hindle, a trustee. I
asked Mr.. Crew If he, Crew, was not I.
superintendent, saying: "Put that .
matter through tonight" The motion /
was not put, however.
Mr.. Crew then asked those favoring /
the retention OF a Mrs. Mccullough /
as teacher 70 stand up. 1t was not /
brought out how many stood up.
Mr.. Burchenal in cross examination .
endeavored to have the witness tell
what caused Mr. Crew to make these
statements. but Dr. Cooke objected.
Mrs. J. r. Becl1ley. the next wit
ness. corroborated Mrs. Boyer as to
what took place at the meeting. Ef-
forts TO have Mrs. Beckley tell about
the sign on the church door was op-
Dosed by the pastor which caused Mr..
Burchenal 10 say: "You are afraid to
let Il come out about that sign" This
was greeted with laughter.
The hearing last night, the second
30 far held, was commented on freely
following the session by clergymen
from various churches present.
It was limited that the case would
be taken before the next General Con-
ference, and when Mr.. Burchenal ask
ed Mr.. Cooke how o layman could get
redress from the conference when not
a member OF that body, Mr.. Cooke re-
piled he would show anyone who de-
sired TO make charges against him.
During the hearing last night II de-
veloped that the real cause OF the
trouble in the church hinged on the
Rev. George A. Cooke, the church pas
tor, making an attack against the
sermons OF Pastor Russell, published
CONTINUED on Page Thirty-twO)
TODAY'S TEMPERATURES.
500 a. M ... b 1901 T.. NJ. 81