Evening journal., 1917-01-16
PASTOR COOKE WON'T
RESIGN, TRIAL sure

ne 100 repileQ ne lnouHnt II Wo~a"
be better to have the offer made IN
writing and that he then would give
his answer. When this was refused
he insisted upon charges against him
being brought. He said he was toto
his resignation from the ministry
would not include his being dropped
from the Methodist Church. III no
resiened from the ministry, be salo,
the charges against him we're to De
dropped. ,..-.u
failed. counsel for the church say there
appeared to be nothing TO do puO con
tinue tho proceedings already started
and the decision Of counsel was eoinnu
ricated TO Dr.. Watt, who then sent Mr.
Cooke a personal letter informing MN
Of the intended presentation OF charges
aQaiast him. Dr. Watt said tins morn
inc tho letter was a personal one.
Cooke Also Talks Charges.
Following the receipt of the letter
from Dr. Watt, Mr.. Cooke then sent
Or Watt a note asking time in which te
meet the charges brought and enclosing
A hill Of charges against the district su-
perintendent Dr. Watts letter 20 MI
Cooke and Mr. Cookies answer follow
both Of whioh were given out by Mr.
January is. 1917.
esRev. q. A. Cooke, Wilmington, Del.
INV Dear Brother Cooke: I cannot
eransmit the enclosed notice OF bill
Of charges without a word personal,
out of nv heart OF hearts. had
hoped to avoid an appeal to this
method Of dealing with the case. DO
not accuse me OF either unlSlnd or
severe statement when say that your
conduct so recent as TO be fresh in all
our minds renders that hope futile.
For weeks 7 have been urged TO take
measures TO abate what was regarded
hy a vast majority Of our people as a
ncandei upon the church. ] had hoped
10 employ q milder method. what that
method was will appear IN due time
God knows we're personally concern
ed ] would have suffered in silence
I have lived among my brethren for
nearly fhirty-two years with windows
npen, I had nothing TO fear personally.
But when the fair name Of our church
Is held Ia contempt, when the Body OF
Christ is wounded, haa no option
but to proceed according 70 the order
~ processes Of the law. My brother,
you and I will stand some day in the
presence Of Him who will Judge for
the deeds done In the body. He knows
that speak the truth in soberness
when I say: I would gladly have
spared both you and your family this
dreadful experience. AS look within
] find only pity for the situation in
which you will shortly find yourself.
Thank God. have been able TO look
Him into the face and say: There is
no root Of bitterness In my heart
toward you through all this trying
nrdeaI. F'raternally yours.
''ROBT. WATn"
Mr.. Cookies answer follows;
January is, 1917.
bRev. Robert Watt, D. d.
Dear Bro. I have received your
note handed me by Bro. Dashiell. ]
heard Bro. Dashiell read lot OF stun
that purported TO be a bill Of charges
against me. shall be glad TO meet
your charges-allowing time for prep
-Aration All I demand IS an open
trial and a square deal.
L cannot fulfill my duty TO the VIII
mington Conference without placing
charges to investigate your official
conduct or course you will not OBJ
fect to an opportunity to clear your
self in a fair, open way. One who has
lived in the open with open windows
for thirty-two years will court an
open trial for viDdication. Inclosed
lou will find a true bill OF charges.
Yours truly,
George A Cooke"
The charges against Dr.. Watt as men
tioned in the above letter are addressed
to the Wilmington Annual Conference
and charge that DIT. Watt made partisan
ruiings at the second quarterly confer
nmce at Wesley M. n. Church on Of
about September 10. 1918, and mad'
rilinqs at tho third quarterly confer
anoe on or about December 27, 1915, TN
sffect Of which was 20 hinder and em
barrass the pastor in his work, that h
tried TO intimidate the complainant (Di
Cookel at the trial Of Raymond ]
Crew, and that he has refused 10 advis
with the complainant and assist him 4
overcoming what he regarded a. dis
1oval faction IN Wesley Church.
Regarding tho conference yesterday
and HE attitude in the matter Of en-
coming trial, Mr.. Cooke made the 70
iowina statement;
rThe calling OF me before my &C
nnsers, to say the least. IA strang
proceeding. I went willingly and wa
perfectly willing 10 listen 20 an
proposition that they had 70 make, br
avery time / mentioned putting any
Thing in writing they refused 20 do s
and would change 70 some other sui
feet.
II not only refused 10 withdar'
Yrom the ministry and the church, bJ
insisted upon their bringing th
charges as announced. want a tria
have done nothing wrong that
know OF. and ] am ready 10 face m
sccusers. ] know. that ] have an M
hill fight on my hands ] shall brin
fhe matter before the Conference 70
q final settlement AZ which time ther
will be other matters 10 settle.
II desire peace, but have been pu
IN such a position that a fight seem
Inevitable. ] do not know Just whe
my trial is TO take place, but II IN
selection OF a date is left 10 me
imagine II Will be in about two week.
or course, there are some matter
which might make IL imperative ths
take a longer time"
FIRE COMPANY ELECTION.
Special TO THE EVENING JOURNAL