Evening journal., 1917-01-30
PASTOR COOK
IS LOCKED OUT
OF HIS PULPIT
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hat the choir last Sunday night was
larger than it has been for q long
time. Just what action will be taken
regarding this matter, regarded as
very important to the church, none
Of the trustees could say this morning,
but it is explained by members of the
board Of trustees that no trouble is
expected on this score, and it is hoped
that afte ranother Sunda yevery thing
will be running smoothly.
Yesterday Clayton l.. Grew. one Of the
trustees of the church, and superintend-
ent of the Sunday school, was called on
the telephone by someone giving the
name Of "Smith,' a newspaper reporter
for the Wilmington Morning News, and
told many mcomplimentary things
about his behavior in connection with
the Wesley Church trouble
Mr. Grew lost no time in calling the
newspaper, which promptly informed
him there was no such reporter and no
one had called Mr.. Crew regarding the
matter This same thing was reported
to THE EVENING. JOURNAL this
morning, but no explanation of the tele-
phone call TO Mr.. Crew could be given
here.
In the meantime legal matters con-
nected with the church trouble are in
allegiance pending the hearings on the
arrests of Pastor Cooke yesterday The
hearings have been postponed until
Thursday to permit Pastor Cooke to pre-
pare his defence. J. Frank Ball, who
has been engaged by Pastor Cooke as
counsel, also is out of the city.
Following the aTaignment Of Pastor
Cooke in City Court yesterday on a
charge Of disturbing a religious meet
ing 1T was decided at a meeting Of
those interested I'm the affairs of the
church TO make a second arrest on a
charge of "wilfully trespassing." The
arrest was purely a technical one. Pastor
Cooke being called over the telephone by
the police department and notified Of
the second charge against him and re-
quested him to call at the police station
and give security for appearance in City
Court this morning.
Mr.. Cooke at once responded to the
request and soon had the matter ad-
justed Mrs Samuel Mitchell mem
her of Wesley NJ. T. Church. giving
security to the amount of 500 for the
further appearance Of the pastor i'm
court The charge Of yesterday was
made by George f. Thorp. president
Of the board of trustees. who also
made. the charge on Sunday.
In City Court this morning Pastor
Cooke was merely arraigned and ask
ed to have his case postponed until
Thursday, the time set for the other
hearing.
The second charge is said to have
been preferred to fortify the church
should the charge Of disturbing
religious meeting be found insult
cient. II was pointed out by those
who brought the first charge that it
might be difficult TO prove the allega-
tions in the warrant, as there was no
religious meeting TO be disturbed be-
cause while the Rev. Mr. Stengle was
seated in the pulpit he had neither
begun the service nor did he attempt
10 do so at any time prior TO the ar
rest of Mr. Cooke and that the only
time Mr.. Stengle attempted to talk
Mr.. Cooke neither disturbed" nor
interrupted him, but treated him with
oil the courtesy due one minister
from another.
While not caring to discuss his
case Mr. Cooke spoke in a feeling
manner of the kindness and courtesy
shown him by Judge Churchman.
Chief Of Police Black. Sergeant of
Detectives Green. and other officials
who were interested in his case in
their official caDacity.