TERM EXPIRED

The Rev. Dr. Denson, who has been pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian church for the past seven years, will probably leave shortly for other fields of labor. According to the statement of one of the elders of the church, the doctor's term as pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian church here expired on January 1 and the church session did not re-elect him for another year. For the past several years he has, according to the statements of one of the church elders, been employed by the year, beginning January 1, and, therefore, his term of office expired a few days ago at the opening of the year.

In view of the fact that many rumors have been running rife about the matter during the past few days, charging all manner of foolish reasons as the cause of the apparent estrangement, it is stated on the authority of one of the elders of the church that there was no friction between them and Dr. Denson. Some time in November, according to the statements made by the church elder, Dr. Denson stated to one of the elders that he was in correspondence with a church in Missouri, relative to a call there.

At a recent consultation of the elders, this matter was brought up and as Dr. Denson had made no reply to their letter relative to his retention for another year's pastoral charge, they came to the conclusion, they say, that he did not care to talk further with them on the matter and there was nothing else left for them to do but declare the position of pastor vacant. This action could not be construed into a dismissal of the doctor, as his term of office expired January 1, and he apparently manifested no desire to be re-elected nor did the elders re-elect him for another year. The elders have, so far, selected no one to fill the vacancy.

Dr. Denson was seen last afternoon and asked what he had to say relative to the matter, but he said that he had nothing at all to say at present for publication.