Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-01-22


Cooke took rs his subject 'The True
Foundation" delivering plain gospel
sermon In which no reference was made
10 the church troubles.
Pastor Cooke announced at the morn
ing session that Ia view OF the apparent
effort Of his accussrs 70 crowd AZ much
as possible into the coming week, he
had decided to postpone the election OF
trustees until some future time.
Sunday School Strike.
The strike" Of the teachers and
pupils Of Wesley NJ p. Sunday school
was maintained yesterday. The request
made by the Rev. George White Dawson,
pastor Of Asbury M. r. Church, a Tor.
mer pastor of Wesley NJ. F. Church, ana
others who had hoped TO prevent further
trouble, that those who marched out OF
the church week ago be In their places
IN the Sunday school yesterday, was ig-
nored One Of the most prominent mem
bers Of the Sunday school who did not
60 ont week ago said on Saturday that
while the members Of the sunday
school wanted 10 do what was right
thew felt that il was impossible for then
70 return TO Wesley NJ. p. Church while
Mr.. Cooke Il pastor there
Pastor Cooke, acting as superin-
tendent. opened Sunday school yes
terday a little after the usual hour
with a slim attendance. few late
corners bringing the total number IN
the main Sunday school room up 10
10 persons, exclusive OF the pastor
and his family. In the infant room
there were 10 children.
After the opening OF school with
singing, W. T. Nickerson led in
prayer. in which he referred to the
smallness Of the number present, and
prayed that the Rev. Mr.. Cooke might
be endowed with strength and knowl-
edge that he might say and do what
was right.
In reading that portion OF the
Scripture In which the question is
asked: "Can there any good thing
come out OF NAZARETH" Pastor Cooke
stated that Nazareth had bad name
but there we're some good people
there.
yes" responded one Of the class,
so has Wesley Church. but we have
good people here, too"
A reference was also made TO "the
Pharisees who have visited our homes
or the purpose OF reporting what we
have to say and then disappearing
us In the papers"
Pastor Cooke said, IN part:
'rhe point OF my sermon tonight
is that the high priests and scribes
and pharisees are not all dead yet
The time has come 20 speak out In
meeting. The truth should be told
in love for the church our Savior pur-
chased with his own precious blood.
An unusual circumstance has arisen
that calls loudly for unusual treat
ment. DO not blame me II depart
from conventional lines In this ser
mon. As is we'll known to the public
am to be brought TO trial this week
in Asbury Church. The outcome OF
that trial is evidently intended to ex-
communicate me from the Methodist
ministry and from the membership in
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
IF that trial committee finds me
guilty of the charges alleged against
me. IL will suspend me from the min
istry until conference, at which time
may be expelled finally by that body.
know the men who are 20 sit as a
trial committee IN my Investigation.
believe they are honorable men who
will try 70 do the fair thing They
win be placed under pressure OF
Temptation that they have never faced
before.
Il have been warned In friendly
manner by our district superintendent
lnot 20 say anything in private or for
duplication. as II may come up against
me at the trial As / read my Bible
Jesus told a good many tings about
Ibis accusers, before his trial. II was
IA good thing that he did. for he did
mot get a fair show in the trial 1
may have a fair trial and may not.
AT any rate there are some things that
ought to be said openly and published
broadcast for the good OF the church.
christianity is a public religion and
the people have right to know II It
lis being choked to death.
THE common people heard Jesus
hgladly. He never held the truth back
from them and they believed In him.
1T Is time to let the people OF the
IWilmington Conference territory
know what is the matter When they
know what r. the matter they will
know why l am TO be placed on trial
for my eccelsiastical life. The Meth
odist Church is not what II used TO be.
This is known TO our older ministers
and members. The church has fallen
away spiritually. In a large measure,
politics has taken the place OF discip-
line. A. a consequence there is un-
rest, diacord, rebellion and corruption.
The only thing I have been guilty
OF that I know about IL preaching too
plainly and talking too much about
= the evil conditions in the church. !
have az good a right to speak and act
; for the good OF the Methodist Episoo-
pal Church ne any other man. Hamlet
the Prince OF Denmark had been
= smelling around, and said There 4.
something rotten in Denmark have
been investigating conditions IN oui
= church for the past fifteen years and
claim 20 know some things. DO moi
, believe IN running away from ths
church just because hive found
some dirt. believe I'm cleaning hous,
and am willing 20 hqip what 7 can
Let thoec who arp disioyai enc
unciean leave the church ~ they 81
not like e. intend 20 remain within
the fold until am turned out. When
that "a done the public viii know
who aid Il and why Il was done.
''It is ussiess 70 deny mat bite
tight IN on. I stand for tho law o
the church and for its uniform en-
foroense ut throughout tha church. 1
IL the duty OF bishops. district super
intendents. pastors and class leader
TO obey the discipline and to recur,
It's enforcement. The discipline q
the law Of the church and the onl,
Y law OF the church We haya M rlrfn