Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-03-02
charges Against q Minister.

Auc Baltimore NlcflCai ccauuals a. II ~
called, IS might be expected has given rise to
considerable talk. aud has afforded rich nut
Cor locals Of toe city press-especially Of the
sensational orier-to crack. Some have cope
nuch into Detail, ard developments " may
te looked f.r a'nos. jaily uhtil the official in
vcstieation IS bad a. Waumton mex, week
Troun iie baltimore Sua. which has handled
the subject vi,h becoming delicacy, VIC make
tbo following extracts.
Considerable feeling has been created du-
ring iae past week boz consequence a certain
alleged charges preiuslicial 70 the character Of
Rev DR.. H. ID. Huston, pastor Of Trinity
Methodist ErisCopa. Church, South, on the
cyrncr uf Madison avenue and Preston street,
and frmcr.y pastor of 81. Pauls church, on
west Fayettc street. Several prominent gcu-
tlemen connected with Trinity church, some Of
whom have been engaged in an investigation,
make the following statement IN reference to
The affair;
Some time last week a young lady in this
city. having no connection whatever with
Trinity church or Sunday school, addressed a
note to a male acquaintance, requesting that
be would meet her by appointment at house
Of designation. The gentleman, on the re-
ceipt of the note, stated the fact to her school
teacher tie Girl was at once dismissed from
the school and the cause stated to her mother.
On being closely Intercepted hy her mother
as 70 her diSgraceiul conduct, she asserted that
she had been led aStray by Rev. Or. HuSton, Of
Trinity church, and gave the names Of sever
al Young ladies, none Of them having any con-
nection with that church, whom she asserted
had also been intimate with DR.. Huston
When informed Of this statement, DIR. Huston
a: once denied the charges as being utterly
without foundation, and expressed desire
that they should be fully and promptly inves-
tigated An investigation has been commenc-
ed by the church authorities, and the charges
will be thoroughly Sifted. Pending the re-
suit o. this investigation, DR.. Huston has re-
signed his license as a preacher. BY the ad-
vice Of friends, DR.. Huston, who is in very
delicate health, has left the city temporarily,
but will present himself before the authorized
tribunal e ,he church at such time as shall be
necessary for the trial
The very high character Of Mr. Huston as a
minister aud a man, aud his zeal and devotion
to his calling repel the idea Of the possibility
Of his guilt in such a matter. He is 4 man of
about IS years Of age, with wife and adult
children.-Bdi'0 SIN 24h.
Dr. Huston, previous TO this charge, was
respected and beloved by one Of the largest
and most respectable congregations in this city.
AS a minister he was earnest and eloquent,
one Of the emotional sort, who readily Impress
Cd an audience. lie was exceedingly atfable
10 his flock and seemed 10 take especial inter-
est in the young ladies of his congregation,
whom, it is said, he had particular fondnesS
for kissing THIS latter trait Of his character
has often been The subject ofeomment, but as he
was an elderly man being about 55 years Of
age and a minister to thus salute the young
er portion Of his congregation was generally
considered no grave Ofense Since this charge
has been brought against him others Of SINH
lar nature are brought mp and discussed, but
in the absence Of definite evidence their recital
at this time Is unnecessary.
In lis sermon yesterday morning at the
Central Church, Rev. Dr. Munsey, while not
abiding particularly to this immediate case,
took occasion in the course Of his discourse to
refer 20 the duties Of pastor. Too much lib
erty, he said, WAS given a minister of the Cos
pei, because he was a pastor. A minister was
commissioned to preach the Gospel-that
was his duty-yet the minister who was the
most social and made the most visits was the
most popular. a pastor is made a con6dant
Of in almost every particular, aud he was
granted a freedom about the house not accord
cd 20 others. This should not lie; a minister,
in that respect should be treated as Other men.
The peryersilV Of the Office Of pastor to such
an extent was the occasion Of much trouble
Balio Sun 2Gh.
The Cincinnati newspapers publish the fol-
lowing from Or. Huston, which some Of them
append TO long extracts from tie Baltimore
journals about the affair:
4 Card-Will the conductors Of newspapers
1 give ne space 20 denounce as UNANIMOUSLY false
I'd slauderous in every particular and in ev-
cry sense tie shocking statement contained in
a note which appeared in an evening journal
\ Of Baltimore about me, and to ask suSpen,
sion Of public opinion till an investigation car
I be had. The loss Of my voice, and the failing
\ health Of a member Of NY family, had de-
tcrmiued me long ago to leave Baltimore.
/. d. HUsroS.
/ Cincinnati, Feb. %, 1872.
The Cincinnati Gazette. in an editorial con.
dennis any Judgment until DR.. Huston la.
been beard-so does tie Washington Cbroni.
Gle and other journals The Baltimore Episco-
pal Methodist says:
/ "While the zeal and devotion of DR.. Haston L
his high and holy calling for period gilmore thar
+ thirty years would seem TO repel the idea of ID,
possibility Of guilt in such a matter, the integrity
/ Of the Church, and the honor, safety and weliar,
/ Of society demand the most thorough and impair
/ tial examination Of the case. The Conference
having the affair in charge are determined TO have
l the investigation prosecuted Immediately. Mean
while, our citizens generally, and Christian men
ofall denominations, not disposed to pronounce
I Judgment until the guilt or innocence Of the &C
cused is fully established.
= The affair has created intense excitement in our
community, but the public may rest assured that
the Conference will at every cost vindcate the in
tegrity of the church and meet out handed ius
ce % all concerned as soon the facts are deYel.
oped
Argument Of D. B. Lucas, Esq.