The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-08-08
SLIT OVER MINISTER
Lnthera1 Congregation SAID 70 Be
Divided Because Rev. J. p. In
Accepted War Service.


Divided Because Res. J. p. I'm
Accepted War Service
Should the pastor OF . church en-
gage IN secular employment?
Widely divergent views on this
question are threatening to bring
about divided congregation In the
Evangelical Lutheran Church Of the
Atonement, Winchester and Poplar
Grove streets, With the Rev ). P,
Lau, the minister. the cause OF the
controversy. Rev. Lau was a former
pastor at Manchester Lutheran
church.
That. At least. Is one phase Of a
congregational difference which has
not yet run Its course. Friends If
the minister maintain that his ac-
ceptance Of a position aside from his
pastoral duties. during the var
period. vas not the real cause OF be
active hostility 10 him on the part of
certain members Of the church. One
Who describes himself n q Charter
member Of the Church Of the Atone
nent, charges > clique nth trying
70 run things iIa own way and de-
termined to get rid of the Rev M=.
Lan because he has blocked its IF
forts"
The latest development n the mt
ter is said to be merger proposition
With st. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran
Church. Druid Hi avenue and nc.
Mechen street, o. which the Rev. ?.
\ HeiIman is the minister.
"The idea," says the charter mem-
Der" Is to install DR.. Heilman as
the pastor OF the combined conErega-
tons and leave Mr. Ian out IN fhe
cold. II a meeting held recently tbis
program MAS adopted b. the ring
leaders Of the opposition. That meet
ing, however, was entirely irregular
under the laws Of the church. There
was not > quorum present and some
of the votes cast we're proxies. Fur
thermore, Mr.. fAu is m ordained
minister of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church and holds his pulpit by the
authority of the Maryland Synod.
He can only be removed by the same
authority"
The trouble In the Church Of the
Atonement, as described b. this menu
her of the congregation. vas brought
into the open during the Inter parl of
the war when Mr. Lau took posi-
ton as Waterman al one IF the local
warehouses OF the War Department.
Der of Mr. L.aus flock, m army OIL
Ger, who was in charge Of the ware
houses IN question. Several millions
Of dollars worth of Government
property was stored there and. II Il
said, this officer was anxious TO find
a Waterman in whom he could pIaee
the utmost confidence.
The Church Of the Atonement Il a
mission church and the salary OF the
minister Is said To he small L Is
Just three years old, but has grown
encouraglngly under Mr.. Lau's minis
try. the membership nov numbering
30. In view Of the faeI that the
position Of Waterman would moi IN
terfere With his ministerial duiIes.
was one IF responsibility and "A means
Of serving the Government, In addi-
ton To providing an increase in IN
come. Mr.. Lau. Il Is said. accepted II.
That says the charter member.
gave the group which was trying Ia
control the church by methods entire
y opposed to the laws Of Lutheran
Ism, something 10 talk about. They
raised I disturbance about Mr.. Iam
holding outside employment and de-
maDded that he resign from one
position or the ether"
but Mr. Lau did mol resign. il
souid seEm. either from his pulpit
or the Government position until his
usefulness in the latter terminated.
That sas several weeks aKo. In the
meanwhile. he has been minister
only, which has put II anIetus upon
this particular phase OF the situation.
Then. II Is said. the merger proposi-
ton bobbed up and was hi upon u
lever ID pry loose Mr.. Ian from his
Passionate II Is understood thai The
st. PauI.s congregation Is about 10
sell its present church property 70
negroes and has been looking about
for nex location.
This gave Mr.. Lau's opponents an
opportunity TO start new tactics. .
says the ministers friend, the char
ter member" and they proceeded IN
make oYertnrsa 10 st. PanIs church.
They have worked II up n the point
Of adopting, by illegal procedure. a
resolution inviting and approving the
merger. It remains 10 be seen
whether or not the 81. Paul congre-
cation HIli fall IN line
viii the friends OF nj. Lau make
. fight ID prevent his being forced
out?" was asked
When the time comes they vii"
Was the answer. Just now we are
waiting for the next move The Mary
land Synod is the only body that can
remove Mr. Ian. 80 thai any action
that this clique may take cannot be
upheld under the laws Of the church.
As | have said. their resolution has
no force. having been adopted b. 4
minority that was even short Of i
legal quorum, With proxies figuring
n that"