Evening journal., 1917-02-01
PLEADS IN
CAESAR s court"
DR.. Cook Argues That SuS-
pension Was Contrary
10 Church Law
NO DISORDER IN
CHURCH ALL AGREE

DR.. George A. Cooke deposed pas
b tor OF Wesley NJ e. Church, was ar
ra gned before Judge Churchman in
City Court today on charges Of inter
fering with. disturbing and molest-
ing a religious meeting. and willful
trespass After hearing a number OF
witnesses, a recess was taken until
> $50 o'clock this afternoon. when trial
of the case will be resumed
DR. Cooke argued the case for him
self. He had been disappointed. he
said. in being unable 10 secure other
, counsel to represent him Deputy
City Solicitor John f. Lynn repre-
sented the State.
, Throughout the testimony heard J.
this morning OF witnesses against Dr. |
i, Cooke. n was set forth that az the /
services In Wesley NJ E Church on /
last Sunday. Of which his arrest was
the outcome he mace no disturbance. |
, Mr.. Cooke argued that his suspension
, by the investigating committee at a
. hearing in Asbury NJ. 70. Church last
week was Illegal All motions Of his
. were over-rued by DR.. w. A. Wise,
district superintendent OF the Easton
4. district OF the Wilmington NJ. f. Con-
ference, who presided at the hear
ing, he brought out, and that he was
ruled from the stand in the case
Motion was made that Caleb r.
Burchenal be permitted to prosecute
the case for the state In court today.
but was rejected by Judge Church
'e man. he setting forth that such n
y move would be against the law.
1t George F. Thorpe. one OF the trus-
~ oh uh a o.
G, at a trial conducted by Mr. Cooke,
e. was the first witness called against
)f Pastor Cooke IN court today. Mr.
c. Thorpe said that although no disorder
In OF actual disturbance was caused by
N MT Cooke In the church on Sunday,
he did interfere with DR.. Adams
Of Stengle. who had been assigned TO the
n pastorate OF Wesley Church at the
b investigation last week until the next
h. Wilmington District NJ. p Church an
al nual conference.
a. objection TO Mr. Cooke conducting
,s the services was made Mr.. Thorpe
+. said. but no writing from authority"
was produced ordering him to desist
~ In answer to Mr. Cookies question
n n whether or not he had been ex-
re PEELED from the hoard Of trustees OF
te the church, and therefore had no au-
&C thority in the church, Mr.. Thorpe
tie said. according to the decision Of th'
rs judge who sat at my trial, was.
la Action OF the investigation com
y. mittee In suspendng DR. Cooke rein
OF stated him, Mr. Thorpe said.
Pile Frank Manley a trustee or tn
lso church, testified that no disturbance
lie. had been caused by Pastor Cooke a
Of the services on Sunday, and that n
n omen objection 10 Pastor Cookies con
20 ducting the services was made b
by DR.. stengle. What transpired be
ON tween Pastor Cooke and other trus
eN- tees and Or Stengle witness did no
nn know. He told OF Pastor Cook
opening and continuing the services
Although a special meeting ha
y been called OF the board OF trustee
Of Wesley NJ f. Church for the Fri
T. day evening preceding last Sunday
n all members we're not notified. Georg
,v NJ Eckman admitted. At this meet
ing nothing in connection Of what 81
are titude should be taken by them should
Mr. Cooke open the services, as wa
,ol anticipated was decided on, but
ost was decided to close the door betweel
y, the church parsonage and the church
sst 10 prohibit mo one I'm particular q
nc enter the church. but everyone"
,ss was also decided it was brought out
Of that the locks OF the church shoul'
OF be changed.
vac Mr.. FcEman said that he had gon
for to Pastor Cooke on Saturday an
ew asked him for the keys OF the churci
ath but they we're refused him. as no az
lin thoritv hal been exhibited. Witnes
vim admitted that no disturbance wa
10 caused by Postor Cooke at the Sur
day services in the church.
''He had the courtesy, though
ask DR.. Stengle 10 pronounce IN
&c. benediction at the services" Mr.. Ell
I'M man said.
ces Millard L. Sheppard said that n
rry "only thing said by Pastor Cooke
the the Sunday service that might hay
-m been a disturbance WIS his statement
at This mase be a test case"
ac- When DR. ". Allen Wise took u
rhe stand Pastor Cooke asked wheth'
the anything outside Of what was IN u
his warrant would be taken up. NothiI
his only the charges of interrupting, di
Iich turbing and molesting religion
meeting, and willful trespass, wou
be considered. Judge Churchman to
him and evidence Of DIR. Wise
los what occurred at the investigate
at committees meeting, was rejected
port Judge Churchman, TO be introduc
ent, later 10 establish whether or not 7
294 Cooke had the right 70 go upon chur
the property. DR.. wise presided over q
this. trial that ended in the ousting OF L
The Cooke.
10 The rules OF the Methodist Chur
we're introduced They set forth IN
a pastor might be suspended for
misdemeanor after an investigate
that until the next meeting OF the annu
Hall conference. Or. Cooke argued IN
hers the proceedings were not In h
fell with the rules, as the district sup'
! his intendent Is supposed TO sit as lual
their AZ the hearing whereas al this hes
fol ing DIR. Wise, OF the Baston distIl
cam. SAT DR.. Cooke told Of his leayii
the hearing before a decision ".
reach because OF the antagonist
. manner toward him. and that at u
hearing he did not hear the annou
cement OF the findings OF the COZ
mittee. -,
- had been ordered or the stand at u
hH hearing because of the contem
..,or which ne al all times displayed :
iieve vard the committee DR.. Wise al
read, said Pastor Cooke would not reco
esisSt nize the decision OF the committee
=, abide by IL.
AN r,-...,- Cooha aaf forth that in