San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-09-13

CUNDAY morning recently dawned
bright and pleasant in Hampton
Bays, Long Island, as the chimes of
the Methodist Episcopal Church rang out
their summons to morning service.
From every quarter the good people
fiocked, since the sermons of their pastor,
Reverend Mr.. Earl L. Shaffner were al
ways so uplifting. The worthy deacons
and overseers of the congregation, the
members of the Ladies' Guild and the
earnest young disciples of the Christian
Endeavor passed within the portals of the
church. Finally everybody arrived and
settled down primly, ready for the re-
sponsive readings. The minutes flew to-
ward the time for service to begin. At
last the chimes tolled ten-thirty, time for
the opening hymn. But, instead, the
organ kept on playing the professional,
and everybody became uneasy. Wonder
and amazement almost reached the break
ing point.
Two people-two people. most impor-
tant to the service-were conspicuously
missing!
The Reverend Shaffner, the pastor
was not there. His pulpit was empty
And over at the extreme left side of the
platform, the seat usually occupied by
Miss Georgia Ash, charming young choir
singer, was also unoccupied.
Wherever could the minister be? And
where Miss Ash?
These questions the congregation asked
themselves as the awkward delay in
creased. Then came the sudden an
nouncement.
Reverend Mr.. Earl L. Shaffner had de-
parted from town three days before,
His wife had departed with him. His
old father had departed, too. The pastor
had gone not saying goodby to any OF
his flock. He had not secured substi-
tute to take his place. He had not told
ANYBODY he was going. Wednesday night
after prayer meeting, he had intended to
remain at Hampton Bays as long as he
was pleasing to the people. Thursday
morning, before noon, he had melted
away. Why had he gone? What could
the eNpldUdIlOh pS'
The answer was furnished by Elmer
Jackson, overseer of the church and local
magnate.
@The pastor went because caught
him out driving my neice, Georgia Ash,
he said. "The pastor is married man.
When we hired Rev. Mr.. Shaffner, we
believed he was all things minister
should be. Particularly we believed we
had brought into our town man who
would set an especially fine example to
our Young folks. What did he do in
stead? He took my neice out driving.
He made love signs to her from the pull
nit. He wrote her poetry, all about ro-
nance and moonshine. And then he went
into the pulpit and he preached twice
each Sabbath such sermons as would
melt the heart in your breast. Words OF
the Lord. Uplifting words. And at the
very same time he was signalling my
neice to meet him at Canoe Grounds, or
90 driving with him down Shore Road.
Yes. he went and he went sudden, when
her father and found out. Next time
ri be just as content with pastor less
eloquent" -,
This is the explanation which Church
Overseer Elmer Jackson gives. Now the
layman doubtless must wonder in what
possible way pastor makes love from
his pulpit, and how in the world the Rev
erend Mr.. Shaffner signalled his young
narishoner words of admiration at the
nv or .ifes7 thsIs(he expounded his mes
! 90 upon tls stage stAI 'o-herself, a very
so popular that they can afford to- ,ex-
the dressmaking establishments en- qtte'