The Sunday morning sermon at Central Methodist Church here was preached by Rev. Tom Eskridge of Bluefield, W. Va., while the pastor, Dr. H.K. Boyer, was in Asheville to attend the first sermon of Dr. Ashley Chappell since his restoration as pastor there following immoral charges against him. Rev. Mr. Eskridge, presiding elder of a West Virginia district, is a native of this county, a son of Mr. Harrison Eskridge, and a large congregation heard his sermon.
An Asheville dispatch of Sunday telling of Dr. Chappell’s service follows:
Hallelujahs echoed through Central Methodist Church here today when the Rev. Ashley Chappell returned to his pulpit after a suspension of two months and a clerical trial which acquitted him of serious charges.
The last swelling note of the hallelujah chorus from Handle’s “Messiah” had not died away before the popular pastor launched into his sermon on the theme “The Old Rugged Cross” before a congregation which packed the auditorium and overflowed into the vestibules and yards.
Dr. Chappell, a slight little man, member of a family long distinguished in Southern Methodism, avoided any reference to the affair which began with his arrest in Memphis, Tenn., on a disorderly conduct charge, and came to a climax with the declaration of 13 ministers at Statesville, Tuesday, that he was innocent of immorality, falsehood and attempted bribery.
Huge Congregation
Special music, the huge congregation, a comment in the printed church bulletin and the fervent reception which made the Asheville pastor its center after the service, testified to the dramatic interest in the minister’s home coming and the loyal support which his people have pressed upon him.
“We believe in him. We love him, and we’ll stay with him to the last man,” a spokesman for the board of stewards declared in summing up the attitude of the church toward Dr. Chappell.
Obviously tired and strained under the burden of recent experiences, Dr. Chappell yet spoke with great vigor and vocal clarity, pacing with dynamic nervous energy to and fro in his pulpit as he delivered his 20-minute message.
A demonstration by the stewards of the church, planned for the opening of the sermon, was abandoned when the crowded doors and aisles seemed impassable. The stewards had expected to march in the roar of the minister when he entered and sit behind him as a symbol of their support.
Friends of Dr. Chappell feared that the culminating strain of the trial and sermon might result in an emotional breakdown. Continuous smiles on his face and words of thanks from his lips as hundreds greeted him after the service were the only indications of his emotion.
Passing in line for 15 minutes, the crowd shook the pastor’s hand and patting him on the back with congratulation expressions, while many men embraced him. His wife, standing near him, was often in the encircling arms of the women. She, too, was smiling her appreciation. . . . .
From the front page of The Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Monday, July 26, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn97064509/1926-07-26/ed-1/seq-1/
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Stories in This Series
Rev. Dr. Chappell cleared by fellow ministers, returns triumphant to pulpit
www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8493267847537044513/4934689628465213641
Community and church convinced Rev. Dr. Ashley Chappell, arrested in brothel, will be found innocent in church trial
www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8493267847537044513/1538195782401204593
Arrest of minister is “unfortunate,” says Hickory Record
www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8493267847537044513/7285046020540013526
Dr. Chappell’s mistake was how he handled arrest, says Charlotte Observer
www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8493267847537044513/6261857839660054437
Memphis Police Commissioner explains how Rev. Dr. Chappell was discovered and arrested in brothel
www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8493267847537044513/4378423803409010640
I’m embarrassed but innocent, says Rev. Dr. Ashley Chappell
www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8493267847537044513/4570916935553323164
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