PASTOR WHO ELOPED.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1921, Page 2

PASTOR WHO ELOPED.

NEW YORK, Dec IG. In a melodramatic fashion, with tears steaming down his face ,and proclaim- . ing that Providence had ordered him to return home, the Rev. Dr Cornelius Dense!, pastor of the First Netherlands Reform Church at Passaic,* New Jersey ,until a month ago, when ho eloped witlp.a choir girl presented himself yesterday at a meeting of the congregation and asked to ho allowed to resume his ministry. . At the same timo-the young woman, Trina Hannenburg, arrived borne in a taxicab and informed hei parents that she “had been away oi a personal trip.” A month ago Dr Deitsel wroto a note to the elders of the ct ngregation announcing his resignation, and left Passaic by train for New York with Hannenburg. A few days ago letters reached the Parsonage from the missing pastor ,who wished to know tho attitude of bis family towards bis return. He was assured of forgiveness, and travelled to Passaic accompanied by his sons and went to the church vestry. Weeping copiously, be addressed the member of the congregation, “I have bad no rest for days,” be told them. “The Lord came to me and told me my mistake, and advised me to return.” Dr Dcnsel then approached tbe door where the elders were assembled. Rapping on the door, ho tearfully* pleaded to be admitted, but after three appeals had been ignored the pastor departed, saying “be was a broken man.”