RECTOR DE CORMIS FORCED OUT.

New York, 1895

A Claim of Deception in All Saints' Episcopal Parish.

The Rev. Louis DeCormis, rector of All Saints' Episcopal church, Great Neck, has resigned. His resignation was accepted at once by the vestry. This action was taken by the rector, after a pastorate of nine years, because of friction between himself and some of the vestry. Mr. DeCormis went to Great Neck in 1886. He brought such vigor into the management of affairs that he gathered a strong and wealthy congregation about him. A beautiful stone church was erected.

Everything went well until a month ago. Then a petition was circulated, asking the pastor to do more parish work, especially in the way of establishing a Sunday school. Many of the members and particular friends of the pastor signed this petition, being led to believe that it was the desire of the rector. George Hewlett was most active in getting signers to this paper. After the members had all been solicited, a meeting of the vestry was held Wednesday night, and a resolution was passed asking the Rev. Mr. DeCormis to resign. He refused. Mr. Hewlett said a large majority of the parishioners had signed a petition for his removal. Mr. DeCormis demanded to see the petition. Then he resigned.

When the petition was presented for signatures, it is claimed it asked for the establishment of a Sunday-school. Now, it reads to ask for the resignation of the rector. As soon as these facts became known, a stir was made. The friends of the pastor declared they had no such intention, and they started out to ascertain who was responsible for the turn things had taken. The people who have been put in a false light are starting another petition asking the vestry to reconsider their action, and also asking the Rev. Mr. DeCormis to remain.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 1.

Worry Causes Death

Illinois, 1916

Mrs. Marie C. Mueller, 43, wife or the Rev. E. L. Mueller, pastor of the German Evangelical church at Eight and Henry street, Alton, died of apoplexy yesterday at St. Joseph's hospital, in Alton. She had been suffering from a nervous breakdown which physicians thought was brought on by overwork in the church and by worry over the opposition of the members to her husband as pastor.

Three years ago, after her husband had been pastor of the church about five years, she received an anonymous letter telling her she was the cause of the members not liking the pastor. She is said to have worried constantly over that. Ten days ago the opposition to the pastor crystallized in a petition of thirteen members requesting his resignation. Before this petition was presented to the church the pastor handed in his resignation and it was voted on, the vote being 80 to 20 in favor of the pastor remaining.

—Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, April 14, 1916, p. 2.

A Pointed Petition in Chaplain's Prayer

1903

When Chaplain Russell of the Missouri house prays he wants the members to give attention. His prayers being sent up especially for them, he thinks it unseemly for them not to listen. Having observed that the members did not attend to what he said the Rev. Mr. Russell wafted the following petition up to the throne of grace a few mornings ago:

"O, Lord, I ask that those in this house who rise to their feet for prayer may not continue to read on their papers while the chaplain prays. Grant that they may have some respect for God if they have not for the chaplain." — Kansas City Journal.