Evening journal., 1917-02-19
pastor COOKE IN
new FIGHTING MOOD
Prepares for Fresh Battle
Before Conference Against
Suspension
OUTLINES CASE TO
CHURCH BISHOP

The Rev George a. NpVNe' -.
nended pastor OF Wesley Meln-
odist Episcopal Church, It IS stated
A. MANNING 10 not only meet ms &C
cnsors al the annual session OF inc
Wilmington Methodist Conference
which meets at Seaford on March rs
lint will carry the fight into inc
enon,ies. country" It is also known
maj he has been in communication
with eome of the leading church oh-
ciais in other conferences ana Is eA-
Meeting some outside help III inc pa'-
tie that is 10 come ,.,.
M. Cooke has sent the following
omen letter 20 the bishop the i'eF'
NJ II. Mcdowell, ID. d., OF Washlhg-
ton. d. C.. who will preside at sea
ford. e,.a
writing Won about the official conduct
OF the Rev Robert Watt. d. d. super
intcndent of the Wilmington district
matters have taken an unusual anu
unexpected turn .
publicity was given 10 my lelter
10 Won by a Wilmington newspaper
was willing this should DE done as
felt suro this would make II easier
for YOU 10 act in this difficult case
n may not be known to you that Dr.
Watt has a large personal following
fn the conference. 10 IS reported 10
mo that many OF the preachers are
afraid of him. n this Is true 1t would
explain why they do not wish TO
sneak ngainst him openly. ] never
knew what il was to be afraid OF
snvone. and so / cannot appreciate
their attitude. On the other hand,
I never knowingly injured any per-
son. and for that reason no one fears
me. l try TO live a Christian man
IN every way every day in the year.
have nothing but good will toward
all my brethren in tho vicinity and
my interest rs in the welfare OF the
church. as they all know,
"For some reason Dr.. Watt set
ont 10 bring mo 20 trial for SANDER
ing him and FOR lying and for various
other oflenses, for which there was
no proof as 7 was never guilty oil
anything mentioned i'm the charges
That bill OF charges IS curiously
wrought combination OF cunning and
,<oolishness. This you can readily see
IL YOU have read IL.
OR. Watt secured the services o
two Of our ablcst preachers 10 assis
IN the drawing mp of tho bill o
charges, Brothers y. III. Dashiell AM
j. w. Tasley. They were also assign
ed tho task OF prosecution for IN
church. lie secured five OF our pas
tors I'm Wilmington TO sign the charge
with him.
"What do you think Of such cor
duct? or course he was not acting
GOOD faith He knew very we'll that
was not guilty OF the charges, and i
knew very well that he was guilty
what | had accused him In my lett'
10 YOU. II be had not been guilty
would have demanded an invesugi
ton. When / was accused by him
demanded trial and was willing
meet II. for I knew that ! was inn,
cent. lie did exactly what he woul
do IN he is the kind OF man describe
I'm my letter 20 you. lie gave add.
ton proof OF what ! charged him VIII
'He requested Brother W. A. WIS.,
or the Easton district TO nresidet in IN
trial and select the committee whic
As contrary 20 paragraph 2o2 secuo
j. Disc. 1916. lie could furnish n
authority for this illegal act whic
necessarily invahdated the court.
"There were many unwise and un
lawful things done In that trial, a
the records will verify. In reality th
whole affair was a Migrant insianc
OF malicious prosecution which
plainly forbidden IN paragraph 81
section 1. Disc 1916. OF course thel
was no evidence produced to sho
that ] was guilty or had done an
thing wrong. The trial was conduct'
primarily TO Whitowash the charact
Of DR. Watt and also 20 attempt q
Undertaking. OF Russelism, which hi
bcen badly exposed during the pa
YEAR. And yet the committee iou
mo guilty Of defamation and suspen
I'd mo until conference. / am i
combating. as / think it will
work out for the best The prom
Of God Is that all things work togeu
for good 10 them that love MN
record Is good and ! am able 10 N
any charge brought against me.
defending myself can 90 eneS'
work against evil doors pe,l'
IN church trials and am ready 70 ny
the matter tested out IN my case.
Il believe the Wilmington com
encc. when it has time TO tnlnk Z
act. will do the right thing III
been in the position OF accuser
other occasions. position 40
oniov. but took from necessity.
llcve matters have reached such
stage in our Methodism that 1t IS gu
innortant TO have the issue tested
thoroughly as 20 the right OF
preachers 20 preach the Gospel
Jesus Christ. I believe am as Wen p
pared TO defend the rights or a NE
odist minister now as l ever shali
I welcome the contest. II there MI
be one. and shall do my best
you have had several years IN !
Episcopal office and have handl
many difficult situations. II may
that you can suggest some method
which strained relation can
mcnded before issues result I'm
open rupture, the outcome Of VIII
no one can foresce.
assuring you of my best wisl
for your personal welfare, am yol
sincerely. GEORGE \. COOKE.
ROGERS FARM AGAIN SOLD.
John NJ. Mendinhall OF Newp
rt..aNnnut.H ernrrTrnnr ,