The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1874-01-22
A Ministerial Wretch.

From the Fayetteville Express we take
the subioined article. If the charges are
true against Rev. MIR. McKelvy (who, we
understand, is still in the neighborhood OF
Decherd.) he ought to be made to sufer
the extreme penalty Of the law, more es-
pecially because he assumes to preach the
GOSPEL OF Christ. 1t untrue, he should at
once place himself right in the eyes of the
world. Here is what the Express says:
The crime ofseduction is heinOus enough
when the betrayer lures his victim to her
ruin by playing upon her affections ana
making spcciOus promises OF marriage;
but when religious influences are brought
to bear, to complete the work OF shame,
The yericst devil in hell would consider
himself outraged at being commissioned
TO execute such hideous villainy. Recent
ly there lived III our sieter county OF
Moore q preacher of the Primitive Baptist
denomination named Samuel Mchcivy,.
This man effected an austerc plcty when
gave him 4 strong hold on the affections
Of his flock, and As he was an able q ap-
parcntly Jealous c%xtounder Of the doc
trines and polity Of his church, he was
generally regarded as a valuable member
OI Ills MlnlSlTNs ~ "dS NANNNNi'rAy ~
we're on those members of his cOngrega-
tion who deviated a hairs breadth from
the religious code, and he exercised at all
times a rigid, inquisitorial supervision
over their temporal and spiritual affairs.
BEING n husband and father. this fact ADDED
to his sacred vocation enabled him to en-
ioy the greatest intimacy with the fami.
lies of Ills parishioncrs. and, MS the sequel
will show, he betrayed their confidence
with the heartlessness of q fiend. Among
these families was one noted for its in
1uence and responsibility, as we'll as for
it's devotion to the minister himself. Into
this the lechcrous pastor entered, and re-
CARELESS of every consideration OF honor
and gratitude, deliberately sednced one OF
the lOvelicst of its members-a beautiui
and innocent girl barely sixteen years OF
age. His sacred character, shielding MN
from apy suspicion of pertidy his glib
tongue, and the ready manner in when
he perverted the Holy Scriptures to sun
his hellish purposes, imposed on her un-
suspecting nature, and she yielded herself
: a victim to his lust, without tor a moment
c~omprehending the fatal step she was
taking. Her shame becoming evident
she was Intercepted on the subject by he
~agonized parents, to whom she confessed
:. that Ter ruin had been wrought by theil
:, once-beloved pastor. The distracted faith
er's first impulse was to kill the seducer o
!, his child, but he was restrained from nc
complishing 50 just II retribution BY con
siderations of religious duty which mus
have been exceedingly strong in their ma
ture. Mckelvy was beior
t. several members of his congregation, wheI
he confessed with a pretense Of great re
morse, that the girls statement was true
d and that he had accomplished her rum
He was expelled from the church and ad
yised to leave the neighbOrhood imme
q diatelv. which he did. and he is now, "
C understand. at Decherd, Tenn, where "
If none the tidings OF his diabolical villain
have preceded him. A thorough invest
CATION of his antccedehts revealed the Ia
e. that he wa. in the habit OF taking unpa
l. donable liberties with young girls WI
n whom he was thrown in contact, al
no whom were too young, or too innocent,
understand his motives. Language IL !,
:! adequate to depict the hideous moral u
tie tormity of such a wretch, and II Is 10 ,
N, deplored that the only punishment VIM
Va may be inflicted upon him is TO place III
W before the world In his real characte
;" bnt above the judgment Of men SITS
r. Master whose livery he has SO fouily u
o. graced, and to His hands alone must n
ributivc justice be confided,