The Pastor Who Took His Whole Flock With Him

Rev. Allen W. Whaley, until recently pastor of the Jones Street African Methodist Episcopal church, preached last night to a good-sized congregation at the Young Naturalists' hall, on the university grounds. His subject was 'The Glory of Persecution,' and he handled it in a way to explain his conduct during the trouble which resulted in his resignation from the pulpit of the Jones Street church.

In his sermon Mr. Whaley spoke on how a person should act while being persecuted. He should try to imitate his Master, who was persecuted while on earth, and a good Christian should rather rejoice on being persecuted for righteousness' sake. He spoke of the object some wicked people have for carrying on persecutions. Sometimes it was because they were afraid of the influence that a man who was brighter than they were intellectually might have, and again it was the way with some to tear down others to their own level, not being able to raise themselves up, and being unwilling to see others above them.

In speaking of his former congregation after the services were over, Mr. Whaley said: 'You see before you the cream of the congregation of the Jones Street African Methodist Episcopal church. Tonight there cannot be a dozen people in the church, as you can see that the congregation of that church has followed me to this place. I know that I am being persecuted for no cause, and they come to hear me preach and support me even though those who are temporarily in charge of the church act in the unchristian manner you have witnessed. I have nothing to say in a spirit of bitterness, but I must defend myself, and I shall have this matter sifted to the bottom at our annual conference.'

Mr. Whaley certainly has plenty of followers, who are willing to support him morally and financially, as many half dollars and quarters clinked in the contribution box. It is stated by an admiring friend of the minister that he will be better supported now than he ever was before, and if necessary he can build a church of his own here.

Mr. Whaley will continue to preach at the university grounds for the present. He stated that he was seriously considering the subject of taking some legal steps to punish the men who are responsible for his expulsion from the pulpit of the Jones street church.