Evening journal., 1921-10-13
Mr.. LOCKERBIE
DEFIESCHURCH
New Elkton Marrying Par
son Says He Can't be
Fired"
METHODISTS
IN NEW MOVE

II became evident today that II
the Wilmington NJ. +. Conference
gets the ordination papers Of the
Rev. r. T. Western, who was ex-
PEELED from the ministry for splitting
marriage fees with .Elkton jitney
drivers. it will only be after a stiff
legal battle.
DIR. Robert Watt. district superin-
tendent OF the church who went TO
Elkton yesterday and engaged Henry
NJ. Mccullough, OF that town. as
counsel for the church. was in Phil
adelphia attending a meeting OF a
church board today. He said yes
terday, however, that he intended
proceeding deliberately with the ac-
tion against Mr.. Westren and wished
to give him a fair chance to sur
render the ordination papers volun-
tarily.
"I have not been dropped by the
Montana Conference" said the cier-
gyman yesterday. as he worked in
the garden Of his farm, ten miles
from Elkton. Il resigned with the
consent Of the secretary and subse-
quently was given a small charge in
Elkton."
Mr.. Western. who in few months
married 200 couples, was clad In
] blue overalls and an old straw hat.
as he labored in his garden.
Il have written to Paut NJ. Adams.
secretary OF the Montana Confer
ence. at Helena" he said. "and hope
/ TO hear from him soon.
"A statement from him will clear
the situation. In case the Montana
Conference fails TO uphold me l Will
carry this fight through the annual
conference and the general confer
.ence.
Every marriage have perform
ed is lawful in the eyes OF the
church. Before ] came east ap'
piled for a supernumerary relation
ship. which really amounts TO tenn
porary retirement. but does not de-
prive me Of the authority Of a min
lister I was notified afterward tina
1 had been located--that ] had beer
made a preacher in the distrie
where I was living. which was here
in Maryland.
But they never sent my certih
cate OF location. and until have
that remain in the Montana Con
ference. out OF the jurisdiction O.
the Wilmington Conference"
Meanwhile the Rev. Daniel Lock
erbie. 50 years old. retired Presbyte
rian preacher. is continuing to rui
a marriage mill" in the Stockton
street chapel or office. formerl!
occupied by Mr Wsstren. Mr. Lock
erbie defes any church TO fire him.
They can't unfrock me. or driv'
me out OF the church." said th'
clergyman yesterday with a chuckl
{ that shook him fore and aft. 81 too
myself out ten years ago. and hav
= the certificate Of the secretary Z
4 prove H. According TO the disci
. pline OF the Presbyterian church
o minister may be ex-communicate
e for but two things. immortality o
Y preaching heresy. Ny record show
that I have been,among the leader
q Of orthodoxy"
b Despite Ihe action OF tho Cor
ference in unfrock NC Western.
Is evident that a large part OF th
, Elkton people are sympathetic wit
! him. and think that he has bee
- maltreated by the church. The ms
e jority Of the citizens have give
vent to expression OF disapprovi
D concerning the nature OF the trii
. accorded Western by the Confer
y ence. and characterize the demotio
r Of the minister from the plane
h the pulpit to that OF a iayman as M
just and unwarranted. either by a
r. ecclesiastical or civil laws.
70 They point TO the kindly spirit
: Mr. Western and say he will M
d raise any disturbance over his tri
d by the church, nor will he harb'
+ any feeling Of resentment toward
" his oppressors. One citizen assert'
- that Westren will be proud TO sho
a that he has not fallen under n
3. censure Of the townfolks. as he e
,- joys their esteem aud has their su
e port and sympathy. These peop
regard the treatment OF Westr,
s by the Conference as an outrage.