The New York herald., 1870-04-23
A PRESBYTERIAN HUrTER
HOW q Hungry Bohemian Dined and Then
''Chucked 0jum" Upon His Host-A Pui-
tanical Procseding-The Rev. 9. B. smyth
on Trial for Sabbath Breaking.

A solemn conclave OF the clergy ana elders OF the
United Presbyterian church was held yesterday
afternoon In the Seventh avenue church. called for
the purpose OF investigating certain charges anect-
mg the character Of the Rev. 9. D. Smyth, of the
Eleventh street Presbyterian church. The needing
was called for one O'Clock, and was held In the
lecture room. There were not more tnan hftsen
persons present. and the doleful soemnity and
phsrlsaical character OF the entire proceedings
which were only preliminary to more exhaustive
procedure. were more fitted for . community OF
monks OF the Made Ages than for men who nave
any practical dealings with the battle OF life.
The charges against Mr.. Smyth are founded upon
what he properly designated disgraceful ana ma
ncious statement In the sun OF the lin OF APRIL
On Palm Sunday morning the reverend gentleman
dscoursed upon the Mcfarland case, and several re-
p0rters om the city press were present ana gave 10
their respective papers q report OF the sermon The
Bohemian who represented the Sun and hungrily
partook OF the repast alluded to added 10 ms re-
port the following which, TO the credit OF Journal
A CURIOSITY IN NEWSPAPER LITERATURE.
The paragraph Is headed borrowing Heavens Liv'
cry:''-
together the six reporters who were present ana
asked them TO take some refreshment. Then he led
them to a well known liquor and refreshment saloon
on the avenue near by, and they passed In by the
private door. Beefsteaks and oysters having been
them what ihey would drink Their orders having
been given. he himself requested the barkeeper to
SrnS nun some Gi 9e S inns nmd oni ss 70 Ue
erence took i've fingers, swallowing the dose with
evident reiish The vands having been disposed o.
all arose to leave, and Mr., Smytb, turning to the
barkeeper. careessly requested him 70 hang that
up.' The barkeeper, who seemed to know him, said
The hospitality described IN the above contempt-
bic paragraph shocked the assumed Christian feeling
who were not saiIsfled with the private explana-
ton OF Mr.. Smyth and hence they took action Tor
Ser eod I ana be-
more extensively scandalized thereby.
THE MEETING.
The Rev. ROBERT ARMSTRONG, clerk OF the PreBby.
terry read the roll OF members, and then the business
for which all were assembled was formally opened
by the reading OF the entire paragraph IRON the
Su1l After an inquiry the CLERK read letter which
had been received by him, and upon which be had
taken action. This letter detailed the charges In
the paragraph, and said that the facts and al
legations therein stated involved breach OF the
fourth com mmandment, given IN the eleventh verse
OF the twentieth chapter OF the Book of Exodus"
II these facts were proved TO be true the Rev. MI.
le wr.efs tnoagn "a @ oegns 20 De n Tho
witnesses who were speclned as intended 10 be
brought forward are all reporters OF the press.
Alter long discussion upon the mode OF pro-
ccdure and deciding upon the formalitles to be oo
served 1t was remarked That there were two courses
open to the Rev. Mr. Smy yth-elther to admit the
truth OF the remarks or to deny them, and II the
denial was accepted it might be satisfactory. Dr.
lngs intimated that that would not be satisfactory
either TO Mr.: Smyth or the church; for Mr Smyth
would not then OBTAIN clearance oil TINS ueiana-
tion to the same public extent as the charges thai
had been brought against him.
MR.. sMYrH'S STATEMENT.
Mr.. Smyth said that when he read the article or
paragraph and had reflected upon it for day Or
two he felt very strong desire for an investigation,
and asked q brother minister to join with him III
calling meeting the Presbytery SO that the facts
OF the case might be reached and the judgment OF
the court might be passed. He was very much
occupied during the last lew days OF this week. He
was really glad in point OF view therefore, that
action had been taken by others. Mr. Smyth then
10 was untrue, but that circumstances
surrounding 1t were such as to justify inquiry aud
which involved his credit and position as minister
and he should be prepared at the proper time with
written answer to submit TO the Presbytery, and
would show that the report was an Infamous and
disgraCeful libel.
The rules OF the Presbytery required that ten
days notice should be given to the accused and
therefore adjournment was taken 30 ,he Sd OF
MAY.