Dr. Aked Resigning Under Fire, Bible Snatched and Torn

1914

Dr. Aked to Resign Under Church Fire

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 5. — As the result of criticism directed by the Presbyterian Ministers' Association of the San Francisco Bay cities against the declaration made Sunday by the Rev. Dr. Charles F. Aked, a clergyman of international repute, he probably will resign as president of the San Francisco Church Federation, according to announcement just made by Doctor Aked himself.

A communication has been prepared by the Ministers' Association asking for Doctor Aked's resignation because of utterances from the pulpit of the First Congregational Church last Sunday.

Doctor Aked said he would not support the doctrine of the miraculous conception and birth of Christ. "My conclusion upon this question," he announced, "is that the faith of Mark and John and James and Paul is good enough for me. It is good enough for any Christian. These men say nothing about Jesus having come into the world in a miraculous way. I prefer to stand with them."


1914

Minister's Bible is Snatched and Torn

Unknown Man Shows His Hatred for Dr. Aked's Doctrines

SAN FRANCISCO, March 1. — To show his disapproval of an unorthodox minister, an unknown man interrupted the ceremonies of the laying of the corner stone of the Congregational church in this city today, and tearing the Bible from the hands of the Rev. Charles Frederick Aked, who was speaking, tore the book to pieces and denounced the minister.

The occurrence caused much excitement, but the man turned quietly away, after he had torn the Bible, and walking into the crowd disappeared. His identity is still unknown.

Dr. Aked was formerly pastor of the church of John D. Rockefeller, and resigned from it some, years ago, issuing a rather caustic charge against the rich and their religion at the time of his resignation. He has been in San Francisco for the last ten years and has written quite extensively for the press on moral and social problems.