Evening journal., 1917-01-05

| ority
His offense amounts 20 flagrant
abuse Of his high Office representing
the Episcopacy OF the church, whose
chief duty Is 70 secure the enforce
ment Of moral discipline in the
church
He has resorted to intimidation in
stead Of reason.
"He has exercised tyranny instead
Of being just and fair.
He has been promoter of strife
instead Of peace.
He has encouraged lawlessness
instead of order.
"He has attempted by unlawful
and unjust means to discredit and
humiiate a pastor who was doing
his duty, whom he should have en-
couraged and upheld.
IF these acts do not constitute
sufficient reason TO cause the removal
OF district superintendent in the
mind OF those who are in ecclesi-
astical authority, then the matter
should be taken into civil court under
custer proceedings on the ground Of
betrayal Of trust. Our annual Con-
ference Il civil corporation as we'll
as religious association If neces-
sity requires IT, we should appeal to
the civil court to prevent misrule in
the church. Ecclesiastical tyranny
should not be tolerated in the Meth
odist Episcopal Church.
George A. Cooke.
Pastor Wesley Nj e. Church.
Wilmington, Del. Jan. 4. 1917"
Pastor Cooke Reads Statement.
! The lengthy statement read by Pas
/ frr Tnr.lr. al 81
ley Is as fOllows.
The recent ecclesiastical trial or
one Of the members Of Wesley M r.
Church was one Of the most import
ant events that has occurred within
the bounds Of the Wilmington Con
ference for several years. The issues
that we're involved in that trial we're
vital and fundamental In our ecclesi-
: astical life The disclosure OF passion
and anlmosity that were manifest
during the investigation make II clear
that the foundations we're being
shaken.
II Is time now to take a calm sur.
I vey of the facts involved in that trial
The interests of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church in the State OF Delaware
5 are OF more Importance than the pri-
vate interests OF any man or any set
|. Of men SO far as 7 was officially CON
nected with that trial my aim was
to purify and preserve the church.
+ The church OF Christ should be a
E decent, respectable institution. The
! only way for lis 10 maintain respect
/. ability and decency is 20 enforce dis
D cipllne against offenders. My efforts
4 IN that direction have not been kindly
5 received by an an elem ent IN Wesley
Church and by an element IN VIII.
r msngton MethndIsm. This is duo
: largely 10 misunderstanding and
Il prejudice. II Is time 10 clear away
;. the carrion OF misinformatlon that
+ has gathered about this case that the
g unclean birds Of prejudice may moi
g have a place 70 feed Ignorance II
: the mother OF prejudice
THE EVENING JOURNAL OF thi
city, supposed by many good peopi
=, TO be respectable newspaper, pub
lished an editorial December IA, 1915
al entitled Wesley and ITS Troubles" 4
N which the following sentiment Is Oh
e. pressed IL Is exceedingly unfortu
r. nate that the congregation Of Wesle
RI NJ. r. Church IN this city, Is bein
a. racked and rent by the trial Of on
= Of its trustees who is not and has nc
)n been in accord with the practices an
Of policies OF the pastor, the Rev, Georg
IN A. Cooke. who has taken no pains I
he conceal the fact The men
,u bers OF Wesley have the remedy ia
Id the trouble IN their own hands. The
n should apply Il. fearlessly and impal
be TALLY, for the welfare OF a religion
n institution that has been so near an
ID so dear 10 them and for the upbullc
al ing Of which they have made sue
ce willing sacrigces OF time. interest an
money"
,h On December is this exponent {
6. Pecksnifiian morality had anothe
n. editorial, entitled Put an End 70 It
or which says: THAT so-called eccles
re astical trial OF trustee OF Wesley
b. E Church In this city has become a
n offense to the community. III there
es vested In any OF the high officials II
ph power 10 put an end to &C. they shou
nE exercise that power II not, the NOR
ce influence OF those officials and
a Methodists generally should be callt
ise into play to produce that desired RI
ar- suit, and to exterminate condition
he that are un-Methodlstic and un-Ame
lean. Wesley Church is one OF o'
ART representative religious institution
~ II was founded for the benefit OF OF
~ community by earnest minded men al
All women II never was meant 10 be
,ut instrument OF torture by anyone, and
ent should not be permitted so to be
,us anyone.
ali "The revelations thus far made sh'
vir an extraordinary condition existing
ielf the church, and one which should not
ove tolerated by any American congregati
which places proper value upon se
sti- respect and the welfare Of the church
ex- its afiiliation.
rhe There are many who feel that is
IS high time for the congregation Of W
as ley, which is composed Of respecta
l. and earnest men and women, to dema
so In terms that cannot be disregard
Ter, that this high handed and distempe
bill work Of disruption shall cease at or
ons not only for the sake Of Wesley,
tn also for the sake Of Methodsm as
air. whole, which never has stood for nj
pen trary repression or the making Of pc
ent and pitiable personal grievances pa
IN mount TO church welfare
OF Surely there must have been ira
piring within the walls Of this holy c
of Wilmington something horribly
ana clean to cause THE EVENING OF
hVe NAL to hold It's nosel Alas Alas
on II everyone knew THE ENENI
,ep- JOURNAL as we'll as some folks
LOT. they would not be confused and frie
; oi ened by this mock heroic defense Of
ligion and morality. The pity is I
ion many good people have not gotten Il