Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-11-29
PAC|F|ST PASTOR
IS 0USTED

Windsor, Nov. 23.-The Rev. Clarence Fl.
waldron, whose mother-in-law was born
In Berlin, Germany, and whose pro-
nounced "pacifist" Views have aroused his
parishioners and townsmen, Is no longer
the pastor of the local Baptist Church.
The Baptist State convention severed his
connection with the church at legal
meeting of the congregation held here
Thursday evening The Rev. Mr.. Waldron
was present at the meeting.
In a statement given to the press, the
Rev. w. A. Dawson of Burlington, secre-
tary and superintendent Of the Vermont
Baptist State convention, said that the
following motion was made: lowing to
the unsettled conditions now existing In
this church, therefore be 1t resolved, that
the relationship of the present pastor and
church be dissolved to take effect at once.
and that the pastor be paid the salary In
full until January /, 1913 without further
service" When he saw that the resolution
was to be passed. the Rev. Mr.. Waldron
arose and asked permission to resign.
This was granted, and the resolution
changed to read: lowing to the unsettled
conditions now existing in this church, the
Rev, c. II. Waldron rendered his resigna-
ton, ETC."
The meeting was attended by Henry A.
Bond of Brattleboro. president of the
convention, Mr.. Dawson. ex-Gov. w. b.
G. Stickney, president of the board of
trustees, and legal adviser to the conven-
ton. The meeting brought out the fact
that the pacifist pastor who was forced
month ago to sing THE Star Spangled
Banner" in front of his church, has some
adherents, and that most of them are
women. The Rev. Mr.. Waldron is in his
early thirties. His wife is of German
descent and they have one child.
Following the board meeting he made
inquiries as to how soon he could get
his money as he wished to go to Brook
Ign, N. Y. 1t is believed that word had
come to his ear of a determination on
the part Of some of the men of the town
that II he had not departed within "a
hours, he would be given an easy means
of exit.
Complaints as to the pastors pacifist and
alleged un-American activities have been
pouring in on the Rev. Mr. Dawson for
some time. The pastor, after being re-
quested by State Secretary DAWSON as
all other clergymen of the State
of the Baptist denomination were to
display the flag and to urge young men
to enter the service, not only neglected
to do so. but, in fact. was charged with
uTYlng tne young men OF the BafraCca
Sunday school class not to enlist.
When flag was offered him for the
church, he refused it. and there was
further Indignation when on Liberty
Loan Sunday, the other church bells
were rung. the Baptist Church bell re-
manned quiet. Feeling grew and soon
reached an inf1amed condition. The pas
tors "neglecting' to do anything patrio-
tic finally forced an issue.
Five minutes before service one Sun.
day morning about a month ago, 500 men
gathered before the church and sang
1.-THE Star Spangled Banner" They sang
It before the service began because there
is statute imposing penalty for in
terrupting service. The pastor appeared.
whereupon he was handed flag, told
to drape himself with it and sing THE
Star Spangled Banner" He did so, and
so did his wife, standing by him.
Tho Rev. DIR. Dawson made visit to
the pastor, tried to show him the error
of his ways. and came away believing
no had succeeded, with the agreement
apparently. that Waldron would show a
proper spirit.
But 1t was only an apparent contri.
tion. No sooner had Mr.. Dawson re.
turned home when Waldrons report OF
continued "neglecting" to show a pa
spirit, began TO reaCn MIN.
Meanwhile. the federal authorize.
were not blind to the state of affairs
and United States Marshal Carpenter
visited Windsor last Tuesday, and with
a stenographer, began the taking down
of testimony as to occurrences. Young
men of the Sunday school class 1t Is
said. gave testimony as to Waldron's
advising them not to enlist in the serv.
ice.
The action of the Baptist State au.
thorities,' who desire it to be known
that they are and always have beer
squarely back of the President. thus
anticipates any possible action the fed.
eral authorities may take.
State Secretary Dawson stated thai
WaldrOn came to Vermont we'll recon-.
mended from Passaic N. j.. and that ir
his three pastorate here had done good
work in his church. Up to the time OF
the declaration of war, things went
smoothly But when it came time to
sing 1.-THE Star Spangled Banner" ir
church, the pastor did not actually re.
fuse, but NEGLECTED" to permit it
which. DIR. Dawson states. is the same
as refusing. And Waldron's neglect
ing" to accept the offer of "A flag fol
the church, his "neglecting" to urge
men to enlist, and to have the church
bells rung Liberty Bond day, at las,
stirred the community to the fna
point OF evaporation.