The New York herald., 1870-05-05

The Rev. O. b. snyths The Fourth CoDs
naudnsst end tho Sunday liquor Lsw.
The Rev. @. B. Smyth, Of the Presbyterian
Church Of this city, on Sunday, the 10th Of
April last after preaching . very good ser-
mon, invited two newspaper reporters to take
lunch with him. The reporters accepted the
invitation, and the party Of three repaired 10
restaurant, where, In the COURSE
Of the repast, the preacher called for the ex-
traordinary mixture Of gin and milk, Of which
he drank or slipped quantity; and one OF his
guests, In like manner, called for and disposed
of pitcher.of gin and milk, as something new
under the sun. It further appears that In
these proceedings the preacher not only vio-
lated the fourth commandment, as recorded
in the second book of Moses, but likewise the
Sunday liquor law of the State, and shat
although the company was seated in private
room, no blessing was asked, at least audibIy
or apparently, on the repast" Furthermore,
the accused caused his son to assist one of said
reporters iu ''deciphering or writing out" the
notes of the sermon preached on said day by
the accused
These facts were established against the
minister before the presbytery sitting on the
subject, Moderator Finley in the chair. But
Mr.. Harper, of the Investigating Committee.
submitted the following extenuating crcum-
stances First, that the accused did not ask
either of his guests to take any intoxicating
drink. Second, that the accused was laboring
at the time under considerable degree OF
physical exhaustion. Third, that the quantity
of gin used by him was not large. Fourth,
that the accused did not exhibit any symptoms
of intoxication on the occasion. Next, In
balancing the account, the committee having
reported against the gin, in connection with
the time, place and circumstances, although
the facts had been greatly exaggerated in the
specifications against the accused, submitted
in conclusion the recommendation Of rebuke
TO the accused for his censurable conduct, and
an admonition with an engagement on his
part "to walk by the grace Of God more cir
cumspectly in the future" The report was
adopted, and the rebuked Brother Smyth is
doubtless satisfied that his punishment is not
greater than his offence.
So much for the Church. Now for the press.
According to the testimony Of the HERALD
reporter, whose fidelity to the facts is estab-
lished, the account of that Sunday lunch, as
published in the opera 6oufe journal, was
false report, and, according to the evidence Of
the reporter directly concerned il was not his
report, but a materially different report. In
other words 1t was report doctored, regard
less Of the consequences, to make sensation.
Against this unscrupulous Bohemianism we,
in behalf of the HERALD reporters and all
other faithful reporters Of the public press,
must here enter our protest. The Rev. Mr..
Smyth, from kindly disposition to serve
the two reporters concerned, in reference
to that 10th of April sermon, invited
them, however unwsely, to lunch with
him, and they and he were be-
trayed in little affair Of hospitality by another
party, and hence all this fuss about Sunday
drink Of gin and milk. Why, even the pro-
| fessional robbers of the Arabian desert regard
the rites Of hospitality as a treaty of peace,
which they are bound in honor not to violate.
If they eat or drink with the traveller they arc
bound not only never to betray him, but when
necessary to protect him within their lines Of
jurisdiction; and when these rules are violated
by the press the press is brought into
disgrace