The midland journal., 1917-04-20
PASTOR MAKES STATEMENT.
Accused OF Disloyalty Makes EN-.
phatic Denial To His
Conversations

Owing to many false rumors that
have been afioat during the past few
weeks concerning the loyalty of the
Rev. B. Andrew Matzen, pastor OF
the Rock and Zion churches, he
made the following statement to
both congregations at their regular
| Sabbath services. This statement
was heartily endorsed by both con-
sregations:
This is no time for vituperative
utterances or frenzied speech. Your
pastor has been made the victim of
diabolical rumor and gossip, which
despite its absurdity has been ped
died to adjoining communities. He
was said to have torn down the
American flag and trampled upon it,
hat he was arrested for this fiagrant
act, that his congregation asked him
to resign, that he made derogatory
remarks against the United States,
and doubtless other Internal lies of
which the pastor is not cognizant.
In justice to you, my good people,
the church, and community, and
whom 1t may concern, it becomes
my painful task to most emphatically
deny these and any charges so fouliy
circulated against me. The man
who attacks the integrity and honor
of an American citizen without any
provocation and filches his good
name has a heart as black as hades.
To stab a man in the back and give
him no redress is the work of a
fiend. Such enemies deserve no
quarter. Perfidy and treason are
ugly words and are deep and burn
ing insult to man who does his
luty. IA
am an American citizen, born
in New York City, and have always
been loyal to my country. Never
has my integrity been called in Ques-
tion. Never thought I that would
be obliged to answer in the manner
Of to-day's refutation, but never for
get that l serve my country in the
day of her prosperity and in the day
of her need. 1 offered my services
to her in days gone by and love her
none the less to-day. It is an honor
excelled nowhere to be citizen of
the United States.
Wherever have served as pastor
of church I have had the honor in
my pulpit and on the rostrum and
at the graves Of our dead heroes,
by public address to my congre-
cations, to patriotic orders of G. A.
R., American Mechanics and other
patriotic assemblages to infuse
patriotic ardor into the people. On
these occasions, here and elsewhere,
"Old Glory" decked my pulpit and
it's inspiration never failed me.
Lives there man with soul as dead
Who never to himself hath said
This is my own, my native land"
Is 1t conceivable, after all my pub
lie and private utterances and my
urgent appeals and prayers that we
might conserve our nations best
interests, that God may bless our
native land, that we may give whole
hearted support to our President and
Congress, and that we struggle, suf-
fer and die to uphold our country's
honor, that anyone should doubt my
loyalty! n
Our country's cause is just, and
therefore we will conquer. The
negro was freed in the Civil War,
but In this war will be found the
emancipation of the white man, and
a democracy will possess the earth
like that of our glorious nation.
I thank my church for the avowal
of her confidence and the sincerity
Of her friendship, and trust that
my statements will put to silence
foolish and ignorant men and him
that maketh and loveth lie.
Let us all as we love God and our
country salute the stars and stripes
and in this sacred hour of renewed
allegiance to Jesus Christ remember
our sacrificial vows both to our
country and our Christ.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was
born across the seas
With glory in his bosom that trans
figures you and me,
AS He died to make men holy, let US
die to make men free
Our God is marching on!
BY cutting off the Quarryville
train on the L. o. & S. on Friday.
the line of communication between
Oxford and the Lancaster county
borough was completely severed. At
a meeting of the Board Of Directors
it was decided that the section of the
road from Fairmount to Quarryville