The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-09-24
The Louisville scandal.

lue Louisville scandal, involving Rev.
Gilbert II. Robertson, has taken new turn
In the determination of that minister to de.
Tend himself before Presbytery, it having
been understood that he would plead guilty,
To three Of the eight specifications of drunk
enness he pleads guilty, aud denies the other
five. The following Is the rest of his 70.
markable defence:
Charge Second Lascivious conduct. Tn
reply to this charge also offer denial.
With this denial present the following
statement: / confess that went to Chicago
about the time specified to visit woman not
my wle--a woman Of the very highest re-
spectability and social position. ! went ut
her very urgent solicitation, after twice re-
ilIsing, and with the assurance that nv ex-
penses should be paid. I went to give the
spiritual advice aud consolation which she
asked, and which, she assured me, she very
greatly needed. had no other purpose in
going. | went reluctantly. but with the
purest and kindlie.t intentions, with no
thought of evil. remember and acknowl-
edge meeting this woman In Chicago, and
starting with her On a railway sleeping
coach for Louisville. But | do not re-
member how we reached the der0t, neither
what persuasion she used to gain my con-
sent to her coming. | do not acknowledge
the charge OF orcupying the same berth with
her on the coach. | have no recollection of
such fragrant act. Neither do ackuowl-
edge that the woman was with Tue in my
house on Thursday night. My first recoI.
lection OF seeing her In my house was on Fri
dizzy morning after O'Clock. in the back prr-
Tor, and, excepting the fact that we were
alone i'll the house. under circumstances of
perfect prOpriety. In the presence of Him
who searches all hearts / declare that had
no impure or improper intention through it
all. | was not consciously guilty Of any
iaSclylouS conduct. My whole soul re-
coils with horror at the thought of such
shameful folly. i know and feel with keen
est senSihillty the deep and Unreasonable
shame that has been brought upon me by
this terrific a1lair--the sorrow upon nv
many fricnds--tlle injury upon the Church
and the woe upon my wife. / declare before
you that had | deliberately sought an evil
qualification. or had | in weakness but in
the conscious Use of my faculties, fallen by
aytful temptation into the sin charged upon
me, | could never have appeared before this
Prcsbytery, nor could have asked the for
gveness Of my wife. It's because feel con-
sciou>ly innocent of the terrible charge, not
withstanding the deep disgrace and shame
that have fallen upon NE, that present this
answer. Besides, if by the agony of prayer
could have brought myself to consent to
give up the work to which had consecrated
my life should not to-day appear before
YOU. | can only now trust to the God who
knows all the truth, and who has dealt with
me SO strangely, tina, He will still deal merci-
fully and do with me what is best.
Charge Third: Falsellood. To this charge
as presented in specification third | offer a
denial.
To this charge az presented in specified
tons first and second | make Il full confess
sion. When ] had recovered from the de-
lirium Of those dreadful days--when | was
still weak and suffering from lis effects
and when the frightiulnesS of the exposure
began to dawn upon mcin the presence OF
such loss and shame. such nnutterahle hui
initiation, Yllailcd in complete di,nay and
rcSorted to ialsehood to escape. My regret
has been deep and bitter for this weakness
and sin. In sorrow and pcnitence / have
sought forgiveness at the feet of Him who
forgave the denial of one far greater than l.
This is my answer TO your charges.
Wherein ] have erred in judgment, and
wherein have sinncd. am willing to make
full and humble confession. Against the
false and cluel imputations that have been
made and diligently sought against ME |
deem it right that | should defend mysClf to
the utmost of my power.
Most respectfully;
G. III. ROBERTSON.