The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-11
ANOTHER FRAIL CLERGYMAN.

MINISTER OF THE SOUTHERN METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH LOOKS UPON MAIDEN
THE uoARY- HEADED SINNER ACKNOWLEDGES
THE WEAKNESS, AND Is SUSPENDED BY THE
BISHOP.
NASHVILLE. Tenn, July 10, 1875.
commission appointed by Bisnop McTyeier, OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South has been
sitting at Murfreesboro for the past two days, In
vesigatng the ministerial misconduct OF the Kew
J. w. Hammer, ST., presidng elder OF that district
He admitted having sent an anonymous letter to
respectable young lady. named Paralee Nailor,
conveying the idea OF desire for a closer init
macy, and referring 10 the seventh chapter OF the
Songs OF Solomon and the second verse OF the
eighth chapter. The letter was epclosed in an
envelope win o letter head "Soutnern Methodist
Publishing House." Her brother, thinking 1t
related to matter OF business, opened 1t and read
its contents. The commission completely
indicated the character OF MISS Mailer. Hammer
is slxty-hve years old, gray headed, has served
In the ministry forty years, and was one OF the
most prominent as well as the most eloquent IN
the Church. The matter creates q great deal or
excitement throughout the state.
Witnesses were examined after the accused was
given an opportunity TO speak Tor himself, to ex-
plain the anonymous letter, the authorship Of
which was attributed TO him; said letter being the
basis OF the charge OF immortality. The CON-
mlttee deliberdted until eleven O'Clock =. NJ. on
FRIDAY ana resumed session at nine O'Clock A. NJ
to-nay, and at twelve O'Clock they reached and
signed their conclusion, OF which The following Is
the summary
TIE VERDICT.
The committee called IN the case OF ]. W.
Hammer, Sr., Lave investigated the same with
painful and conscientious diligence, ana with
prayeriul reference to their responsibilities to
God and His Church. they have not Deen un.
mindful OF the eccentriclLles that have marked
the accused Tor some years. but which
have not been deemed Of sufficient gravity
ana significance TO call Tor formal discipline.
his peculiaritles have been considerable In eX-
planation and mitigation, and are not without
weight In estimating some things said and zone
by him. The lrankness and honesty OF confession
and explanations before the committee duly I'M
pressed their minds and hearts. Important ev-
ldencc given by the accused against himself,
while he protested his innocence oil certain inten-
tons aud would have certain things explained as
qulzzng and enigmatical only; but the committee
could not escape the conclusion from the evidence
before them that John w. Hammer ST.. Is not only
guilty OF what Is improper and reprehensDle in
the highest degree in u Christian man and min
lister, but that his conduct In THIS AFFAIR deserves
the formal verdict that he IS guilty Of
immortality in writing letter to young lady,
dated June 20, apparently designed TO corrupt her
ard 10 seduce Der from the path OF virtue. and
cUucaed in terms III timatln readiness TO be In
sirumental in her ruin. Whereupon the Bisnop
pronounced The suspension Of Jonn w. Hammer
ST., from The ministerial office until the next ses
sion OF the Tennessee Annual Conference.