National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-11-24
NYsrER1o Us p1sApPEARANOE.
ANOTHER SENSATION IN CHURCH CIR
Giles

ANOTHER SENSATION IN CHURCH elk
Giles.
The Baltimore Gazette Of yesterday has the
following: Following fast upon the Arrest in
Baltimore Of Gerdeman, the ex-priest Of st. Bout
facius' church, Of Philadelphia, and the public
abjuration OF faith in the Catholic Church by
Rev. Father Jaquemet comes another sensation
in church circles, and this time air of mystery
hangs over the event. The others were of a pro-
nOuneed character, and from the first much of a
tangible nature as It were could be ascertained'
in connection with the principals, but in the pres
| emit case there is room for speculation, and, of
course, the quidnuDcs are all agOg with Il. This
time, too, the circles Of enthusiastic Methodism
have been invaded, and one Of the largest and
Wealthest stations In Baltimore Is being aitated.
Its exemption heretofore from anything Of . SEN
sational character has served TO render the men,
bers Of the aoeks numbered in Its fold the more
/ exercised over the unexpected and, as yet, mex
plicable occurrence, Though Il has not reached
| the age OF nine days wonder, there has been
Uncertainty, and while theories have beea nu,
merous doubts have remained, and would not
'sThe actor in this latest sensation has not yet
reached the age OF twenty years, being but little
more than nineteen years, and is described BY an
figured quite mOdel-in her once characteristic
language, 'as nice young as you would
nhs 70 see. IN PeIsUha! aPpeatsnee ne Has not
| the hero Of his admirers He is represented to be
| a stout young man, red haired and wearing his
| locks short, with round face, innocent Of beard
| or moustache, and OF quiet manners. He was
born in Baltimore, and was baptized Charles
| pears that Charles Hobbs, when thirteen or four
teen years of age, ran of to sea, taking French
| leave and returning Of his own accord after a
| lengthy absence. He became converted soon
| after his return from a seafaring life and con-
neeted himself with Madison square NJ E. church
| of the North Baltimore station, corner Caroline
| and Eager streets. Much interest was taken in
| the boy by several members of MadisOn-street
church, and when he declared his purpose to
| study for the ministry he found no difficulty in
| getting sufficient pecuniary aid. He was placed
| at Cumberland Valley Institute, near Meehan-
| icsburg, Pennsylvania, under the tuition Of the
| Messrs. Eye, we'll known to teachers of Junior
theological students. He remained with them for
some time pursuing his studies diligently, and
making fair progress. In time be was given an
exhorter's license, and he spoke at meetings with
much fuency and force.
He also preached two or three times in
rather informal way but with aeeeptabiIity, and
considering the drawback Of the want of an early
education the young theological student gave
promise Of future prominence. He was at one
time q member of the Sunday school at Madison
! square church, and later he had a class in the
school. Some eight weeks since he left the
MessTs. Ege, having taken offence at an IN
complimentary remark made by of the
teachers in reference to his mental capacity. He
came to Baltimore, and his friends were willing
to help him carry out his ministerial ambition.
The pastor Of the MadisOn-square church, Rev.
time and Church occupations Several hours Ia a
week, in which to instruct him theology, and
kindly aided and encouraged him. He was
anxious to obtain q preachers license, and
was working forward with that object. He would
probably have been made a member of the clergy
Of the Methodist Church at the conference next
spriBg. Young Hobbs continued to be diligent In
study and earnest in church attendance anu work
up to the time his conduct was such as to give
rise to the painful apprehensOns which have dis
turbed his friends for several days past. He
boarded with Mr.. Nicholas Cornelius 1853 Forrest
street, and was well cared for by him. Mr.. Cor
nelius is a jealous ehurchman, and on last Mon
day afternoon he gave Hobbs his class BOOK and
requested him TO lead his class at Madison
square church. The young man took the book,
and here the mystery OF the affair begins
Since that time nothing has been learned of
his whereabouts, and It Is not known whether or
not he is dead or alive. There has not been in
fact any clue by which the truth Of the matter
may be gained further than the expression some
| young man left his clothes behind, gave ne init
nation Of his purpose, and except that he looked
depressed on the evening Of the day preceding his
sudden departure nothing is known Of the change
Of mind which led to his strange conduct. He
was not entrusted with the care Of funds, and
those who knew him and befriended him are
quite confident in their own minds that no rO-
mantle attachment led him off. 1t is said that he
was subject to fits Of depression, which lasted at
times for several days. and that at other times he
would become unreasOuably discouraged and
take a gloomy view of life. Last Tuesday he had
an engagement with Rev. Mr.. Leach TO take a
lesson in theology, but did not appear. His pas
tor and instructor supposed that he was Ill IN.
prepared, and did not concern himself to plrtlcu-
larry inquire into the OF his absence. Rev.
| Mr.. Leach learned, however, on Friday, through
/ Mr.. W. L. Maceu bbin, 80 North Gay street, that
| Hobbs had unaceountably disappeared. He then
I
ascertain where he had gone. The mother of the
young man has not been notified of his disappear
aDce and he left no message or letter for her. 1t
Is believed by some Of the friends of Hobbs that
he has Joined the United States navy, and others
are Of the opinion that he has visited aunt in
Queen Anne's county, and that he left without
notice because he feared opposition to his wishes
The matter remains, however, in q state Of great
doubt. The idea Of suicide is not entertained by
those who knew Hobbs we'll, but long as his
absence is unexplained, as it was up to late
hour last night, when q Gazette reporter visited
Rev, Mr.. Leach and others in the endeaYOr to
obtain full and correct Information, grave fears
will be felt for his safety. The subject was much
discussed yesterday, and although considerable
secrecy has been observed, the news Of the ex-
horter's unexplained flight has bean circulated
freely among the members Of the churches of the
North Baltimore station, among whom he was
we'll known and highly esteemed.
The friends Of young Hobbs have not been
idle, but have been endenyOrng to learn some
thing OF him. 1t has proved thus far a fruiIless
undertaking, and developments will be antici-
pated with no little anxiety. The fears Of those
who were attached TO him have been aroused,
and steps have been taken to bring to light what
is now iull Of uncertainty. 1t is anticipated that
information will be received to-day giving at
least thread which, If properly followed up,
may lead to the information now 50 anxlOusly de-
sired.