New Britain herald., 1927-01-13
ALL NIGHT TRIAL OF
 ZION CHURCH PASTOR
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Singleton. At that time members of the official board denied rumors that checks on the church treasury had been drawn by MT. Richardson and used by members of the family for personal purchases.
 The pastor refused to recognize the action of the official board, holding that he was the supreme authority and that Richardson could not be busted until ruling had been submitted by the presiding elder.
 Feeling grew bitter as the fac tions developed and resulted short time ago in an attempt by members of one group to have the minister busted. This finally developed into charges submitted to H. w. Brewer, chairman of the official board, which brought on the hearing last night.
 The meeting was in charge of Rev. S. T. Weller, of Middletown, presid- ing elder. The committee of minis ters who sat in the all night session included Rev. J. F. Green of Dan bury, secretary of the conferences: Rev. I. B. Walters of New London, formerly pastor of the local church; Rev. A. G. Gorham of Hartford, Rev. J. c. Walters of Waterbury Rev. M. N. Green of Plainville, Rev. J. J. Durham of Worcester, Mass, al, 1f pri1 rt and Rev. B. w. Swain of Boston.
 Rev. J. J. Durham acted as coun- sel for the church and Rev. H. E. Jackson acted as counsel for the pastor.
 Although the pastor and thS pre- siding elder have been known to be on more or less unfriendly terms for the past two years, the committee after battling until about an hour and half before dawn this morn ing. recommended that Rev. F. l.. Aston be continued as pastor until a ruling can be obtained from Bishop W. L. Lee of Brooklyn. MT. Aston was overruled on the treasureship controversy, the presiding elder de- ciding that Singleton is the treasurer.
 The specific charges against the minister have not been revealed al- though the air was said to be thick with charges and counter charges, resulting, one member says from a fraught with political per fidy."
 The committee further found that the pastor was guilty of certain charges, but that there was no pen alty attached by the church disci- plinary department. Reprimand was recommended. MT. Aston can be re- tained or removed, as the bishop rules.
 Strenuous efforts were made by those interested to keep the infor- nation from being public. Mir. Vel Ter, who gave orders to everybody in sight to keep it from the news papers" told the Herald early this morning that the story could be ob- tained from MT. Brewer. Inquiry at the Brewer residence on Chestnut street up until noon eliclted the in- formation that "Mr. Brewer is still in bed"
 Although Rev. MT. Aston has been somewhat of a storm center since his arrival in New Britain, two years ago next May. his aggressive ness has resulted in an important growth to the church.
 The membership and attendance is said to have been increased 50 per cent, while the mortgage and debt have been decreased from $4,500 to $2.000. Extensive re- pairs and alterations have been made to the interior of the church, and complete electric wiring is being installed at the present time.
 Rev. Mir. Aston came here from New Bedford, Mass. He is a native of South Carolina and is a graduate of Allen university of Columbia, S. C., and later from Morris Brown uni versity of Atlanta, Ga. He is a for lner newspapernlan and has been connected with the staff of the Charleston Messenger and later with the Charleston Courant.
 It is said that in defending his client last night, Rev. H. R. Jackson made the counter charge that the | minister has been unable to collect | the sum of $240 due him for back | salary.