Evening journal., 1917-01-05
CONTINUED From First Page.)


need your sympathy. but you may
pray for me-"
n VIII pray for YOU" remarked
Mr.. Thompson.
E Previous to the reading OF the
statements prepared by him, Pastor
Cooke. addressing the newspaper
men present. commented on the slim
attendance, saying, You did not
bring the crowds with you this time
you did before
The meeting opened with the sing
ing OF the hymn Il Know Whom
Have Believed Mr.. Cooke leading
it, The organist was not present.
This was followed by prayer led by
Pastor Cooke after which ne launch
ed into his own statement in which
he refereed TO himself as a diplo-
mat
Mr.. Cooke said that during the re-
cent trial OF Mr.. Crew on n charge of
causing dissension in the church. the
impression got about thar he (the
PASTOR was on trial and that he had
kept evidence affecting him out or
the hearing The trial. he said. was
sort OF a reformation and was ne
cessary for the church to clear IT,
Eelf and TO enlighten those who were
fl he dark II was surprising. Mr..
Cooke said, that during the trial so
nany ministers appeared to be
against us
Il was at this point Mr.. Cooke.
with a shrug of his shoulders and his
thumb inserted n his vest under his
arm, said: Il am somewhat OF a
diplomat, although the people think
] carry sledgc hammer about with
ne
At recent conference session Of
this church ] made several PROPOSE
tions which called forth much tact.
Pastor Cooke added "At that meet
ing which was attended by the Rev.
Robert Watt ] made three PROPOSE
tions. The first was that ! asked
those who had opposed us to apologize
and for uf to start anew.
The second was that | would re-
tire from the active pasiorate Of the
church until the next Conference and
allow those who opposed me 10 run
the church, with tho understanding
shst I receive my salary.
'sThe third proposition was that
the six offending trustees retire until
the next Conference and allow me
snd those vith me to run the church.
''Dr. Wa was present but he made
no propo lion for harmony and
II seemed to me time 10 call a meet
ing and 10 invite those who had been
talking about me to come forward
snd furnish proof OF any wrong doing
uu my part"
Mr.. Cooke then issued another
challenge for any one 20 come for
ward and present charges against
h''n. No one presented charges.
q i he then read a lengthy state
ment He also read the following
letter 70 Bishop Mcdowell, attacking
the administration Of District Super
fntendent Watt.
letter 10 Bishop Mcdowell.
bishop William r Mcdowell, d. D.
. Washington. D. c.
i Dear Sir and Brother-An unusual
Nuation has arisen in wilmington
Nethodism that calls for your imme
diate attention. am prepared to fur
nish proof of misconduct on the par
OF the Rev Robert Watt. D. d.. su
perintendent of the Wilmington dis
trict II you will come 10 Wilmington
and conduct an open investigation o
the official conduct of Or. Watt IL
Wesley Church. or any church in tn,
city, | believe | can convince yoi
that he is guilty of conduct that shoul,
depose him from Office without un
necessary delay. He should not b.
allowed to remain in Office until Con
ference session, as he has furnished
evidence TO demonstrated his essentia
unfitness to be consulted In references
10 the appointment OF our preachers.
II might proceed under paragraph
252, Section OF the Discipline of 1915
and attempt to get an investigation
hut that would not be successful 70
the reason that the preachers ar
either afraid OF him or they are sub
servient 70 him. Or ! might wait un
I'll conference time and enter charge
against his character under paragrap
265 Discipline 1916. but there Is stron
likelihood that he can secure lnhuenc
and following enough to prevent
trial or have - secret. In either cas-
50 would he impossible to secure a vel
diet against him, no matter what th
evidence
III there is desire on your pa
or on his part TO have this matter dil
posed OF with the least amount Of el
posure and agitation, % let DR. Wa
resign from Office voluntarily withol
further action; y you may reQue
his resignation in view OF The seriol
charges against him. t3l you may ca
for an open inquiry. where he wi
have opportunity 10 defend himse
and ! will have opportunity to pro-
my accusations.
"He may object 70 an open invest
cation on the false plea that such e
posures iniure the church. III
flimsy character OF that pretense
easily seen and should be taken
equivalent TO a confession Of guilt.
III you do not act in this matter
as to get l. settled In a quiet mann,
you viii relieve me OF all responsih
iiy for amy exposures or agitatio
that may come by pursuing such met
DDS as are necessary TO secure a ia
open trial My insistance on an op
investigation Is due to the antecede
fact that the evils complained Of
the conduct Of Dir. Watt grow out
his nnderhanded methods.
My accusations are:
First That he knowingly a
wickedly favored our evil, disrupt
faction at the second quarterly c,
ference in Wesley Church, held s
tember l9. 1916. as against the past
the stewards and the loyal members
the church
Second During the preparat
for the trial Of Clayton L. Crew
leader Of the disloyal faction,
Watt refused to consult with the p
tor and loyal officials OF the chur
With view to the peaceable adj,