Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-07-13
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E Some days ago we pubiEAed |
! paragraph. stating that Rev. DR.. W. r
Hamilton, rector of the Government
Street Presbyterian Church Of Mobile,
man celebrated for his ability and elo-
quence, was lately discovered to have
caused the run Of several young wo.
men, members Of his congregation, and
that he had to fee from the city. A
member of his congregation, highly
respectable citizen, contradicts this state
ment, in letter to the Albany Atlas,
and adds: X
The crime for which DR.. Hamilton is
banished from the pulpit, the church, his
home, and decent society, is yet darker
| in its character, the most revolving,
loathsome, and deprsved, indeed, that
can enter into the head of man to con-
Iceive. If you win turn to the 18th
chapter of Genesis, or the eth verse Of
the first chapter of Paul to the Romans,
you viii be enlightened as to its nature.
This unnatural crime with one person
is proved, confessed, and it is pretty well
known that similar advances have been
made to others, at intervals, during
years passed--wit6 what success is,
naturally, not so well known.
Those unacquainted with DR.. Hamil-
toms position here, can form but fee
bic estimate of the height from whence
he fell. For 90 years he has been pas
tor of Government street chureh-a
congregation that any minister would be
excusable for delighting in.
The building, large and imposing;
the audience as choice as the Union af-
fords; always a demand for pews far
exceeding the supply; every wish on the
part of the pastor complied with;
amount of salary scarcely limitedl
Then the home of Dr. Hamilton! On
the suberbs of this city, embowered in
acres of highest cultivation; embellished
by art; seclusion so complete; facilities
for mental elevation and the enjoyment
of refined visitors so ample; cabinet
of minerals, shells, vegetables, animals,
and insects that host of learned natu
ralists might have revelled in; while
money was no consideration in adding
to the wealth of his library!
He is man of distinguished presence,
of snowy abilities. laborious habits, rare
industry, and untiring energy. He is
sixty years of age, leaves here an over
whelmed wife, some years his senior,
and three sons, all married, of promi-
nent positions in their professions and in
society.
One further fact is necessary to COM
plete this exposition. 1t is the reverend
gentleman's confession of his sin.-|
When the committee visited him to lay
before him the accusation, quietly wait
ing till fully announced, he placed his
hand upon his forehead, and, in accents
of torture, exclaimed, II am gatiltg be-
fore God and man. Though ruined
man, covered with sin and shame, no
lie can ever pollute my lips. What a
fool 1 have been-guilty, guilty, but not
to the extent charged" These are
nearly his words.
Though more was said, this contains
the substance. This frank confession,
of course, elected world of wonder
ment in our community, for it is univer
sally felt, that, had DIR. Hamilton, from
his high position, hurled denial upon
his accusers-had he met the expression
of so black sin as a devilish calumny
he could have trampled in the dust
tenfold the weight of evidence ready to
be brought against him.
The conviction has, through all times
past, forced itself upon the great ma
jority of intelligent persons who have
been thrown into his society, that there
was no tceH balanced mind there; while
charity throws the mantle of innate
moral obfiquity or more temporary in
sanity over his memory.