Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-07-01
PASTOR HAS FLOCK
PRAY FOR GERMANS
ULTIMATE TRIUMPH
William w. Knowles. Speaker at
Church Flag Raising, Tells of
Alleged Sedition.
CASE TO BE REPORTED

One of Wilmingtons pastors. IT il
said, has told his flock to pray to Almighty
/ God for the success Of the German arms
in the great war IN which this country is
fighting as an enemy of Germany, and
further, to pray that the German Kaiser
become the ruler of the world.
This was the startling statement
made last night at hag-raislng and
patriotic service at Trinity Lutheran
/ Church Concord avenue and Madison
street. by no less responsible party
/ than William W knowles a leading
member of the New Castle county bar
and counsel for the State of Delaware
for the United States custodian of alien
property.
To say that Mr. Knowles hearers were
astonished very mildly describes the
thrill of amazement which ran through
the big audience that had gathered out
side the church TO witness the ceremonies
and hear the patriotic addresses, the
principal one OF which was 10 I've de
livered by him. And there IS no doubt
but that he delivered tho goods, be
cause pretty much everything he himself
said, as well as that said 10y the Others,
sank INTO insigniticance before this one,
big, vital thing
KEENLY DRAMATIC MOMENT.
Mr.. Knowles had been talking about
patriotism and loyalty the virtues every
man. woman and child living under the
Stars and Stripes these days should pos
sess bevond all Others suddenly he
raised his arm and pointed southwark,
and then with delbcrateness that gave
keen dramatic emphasis 10 every word.
told those before him that he had in
formation to the effect that pastor
whose church lay in that direction recently
instructed his people to pray that the
German emperor might be victorious IN
arms and become the ruler uf the world
MIR Knowles named no names and
gave no more definite information TO his
audience than what was contained IN the
extended, pointing arm. II was neither
the time nor the place for details, which
the speaker intimated, would hc laid
before the proper authorizes Tor their
investigation and action. but what was
said was sufficient 10 stir deep Indignation
IN the hearts and minds Of those who
heard i against any pastor who could be
guilty of such dIslovaltv 10 the country
whose armies are marching 10 war against
the very man whose triumph God was
10 be asked 10 grant, and, under the
flag OF which ne Is preaching the gospel
OF Christianity And what MIR. Knowles
SAID also convinced the congregation
that The pastor OF whose reported act
he had spoken was NOT Of their faith,
but one OF alien tongue and manner OF
religious thinking.
Mr. Knowles. when asked today TO
give some details Of the matter. said that
he preferred not to- The incident had
been brought TO his attention BY persons
who said they had heard he pastor in
question tell ms people 10 pray for kaIser
Milheims ultimate triumph as warrior
and world-rlller and that the whole affair
would be laid before the proper authori-
ties. hut that he felt he could not, under
the circumstances make pubic any more
OF the information he had received except
that he felt entire confidence in his IN
formants and was quite sure they would
be able TO substantIate what they had
told HIM
TRINITY : FLAGS.
The fiag-raising was a most successful
one Trlmtys congregation turned out
virtually to its last member The Penn
sylvanla Railroad band was present and
played stirring music, winding up with the
national anthem Besides Mr. knowles,
Samuel H. Baynard. a member Of the
Park Commission, and President Peoples,
Of the City Christian E-ndeavor [ mon,
also spoke The flags raised were two one
a handsome national ensign. thirteen feet
by six, and the other a service flag, bearing
stars for the communicates Of Trinity
who are serving with the colOrs Rev
Milton Stine, the pastor Of the church,
presided