Middletown transcript., 1872-10-19
Report Of Committee in Case Of Rev
Mr.. Matthews.

Your Committee appointed to inycs,i-
gate the grave charge against Kev. Mr..
Matthews submit the following report -
II was with great reluctance that we
entered upon the painful duty assigned
us; but we knew tia, i must be done by
some persons and therefore We would not
shun the responsibility. When a charge
cf such crimlnal character was preferred
against one pf our own number, aud one
against whom no suspicion had ever been
entertained. we Fit Of course the most
anxious snlici,ulc to establish his inno-
ccncc beyond rhr possibility Of doubt
On the other lnnl We felt TINT We must
Afford the accuser ian opportunity for
sub-ranija'iug. IL she could. the charge so
deliberately and publicly preferred. lay
ing aside all rariiality or prejudice. and
ready TO weigh the evidence on ali sides,
we cnaeavored to our utmost to develop
and establish the truth.
MIR faulk, one Of our number was
prevented necessarily from attending with
Us. The other four Of the committee met
in Elkton on the morning of Monday
Sept 3bth. Reuben lIaines. Esq kindly
gave US the use Of his office where W,
were free from interruption. Sensible o
our responsibility aud difficulty we sough
direction from God in prayer. Rev. Mr.
Johus was appointed Secretary, aud will
great diligence and accuracy took dow'
the testimony, whcl, he now has in read
incss for Presby,ery.
Mr.. Matthews appeared before us. W,
stated to him our business--the unpleas
antness Of our mssion--and the gravi',
Of the accusation laid to his charge. IT.
denied the accusation Of guilt, aud sat
he would do so under oath. We callo,
in Magistrate Howard who administcre
10 him the usual oath The committe
then presented 10 MIR. Matthews tor,
If oath which they had prepared. yer
solemn and admitting Of no evasion o
eauivoca,ion. to which Mr.. Matthews sub
scribed bis name. in the presence Of th
Magistrate and committee whose sigma
lures also are appended as witnesses.
The nccuser. Marin salisbury, mu
laiio girl, then appeared before us accom-
panied by her child and her mother. Mag
isirnte Howard also administered to he
the legal oath. She proceeded deliberate
II Is and uncquivocably to charge Rev. Nj
Matthews with being the father Of he
child. She mentioned the places an
circumstances Of intercourse with definite
ness, aEd also the times Of such intercours
but these with isss dcfaifeness. Sh
made Mr. statements in the presence
Mr.. Matthews. aud firmly adhered
them During the examination she cor
contrndic,cd herself on several points, an
admitted that she had told falsehoods
Dir. .Iamnr, to Mrs Matthews aud to Il
people where she stopped in Baltimor,
and iha. she had attempted to desert b,
child on two occasions. and that she hu
told her pcopolc she mcnt to stick to
that Mr. Matthews was the father Of h,
child. Her testimony was read to hc
Y which she understood and admitted. m
It Il now NJ your disposal.
We proceeded 10 examine a number
witnesses on oath who testified very ri
!, faycrably as to the character Of Mar
ssulsbury--ns TO her untruthfullness--h
alanderons statements concerning ar
spectabla fsmily--her special attention
!. from colorcd lncu--her being out r.
quently and late at night. Some Of I'll
!, ,lcsiipsony is rcry emphatic. and is subjc
20 your call.
Your committee then proceeded to Bs
timore. On Monday morning. We met
81 tE&>Bib)e Hoaee At . O'Clock, and COZ
VI IkoStpa our busisIess with prayer.
& number II xitnesses were examined |
\, Ssth. ~ parpost Of tiseir evidcuce =
1sz xyVvs 'sht rood c6afsctsf Of Mr. Ma
M = - ajn il|bt wtsa ths girl sald - Z
~ ~ . - bsatdloe hesss
M tdge % The psst
Il. - =. Is ssss:s''s sss