Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-16
THE BROWN-HINE CONTROVERSY.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE PRES
ByTERY.

THE BROWN-HINE CONTROVERSY.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE PRES
ByTERY.
The Presbytery of Washington city met last
Monday at 4 clock p. m., In the North church,
to hear the report Of the committee appointed
some time ago, at the argent request of the
Rev. John Brown, to investigate certain ae-
cations made against him by citizen of Vi
emma, his former field of labor The report
was somewhat lengthy, but ably and carefully
drawn up. 1t set forth that there were eight
charges presented against MIN by 0. E. Hine,
resident of Vienna, but not member of the
church.
The first charge was for conduct unbecom
ing minister of the Spell" based upon GER
tain letters published by him last summer in
the Fairfax Farmer and News against 9. E,
tlne While there was 40 ground for judicial
arraignmept 10 this charge. the report showed
that the committee was of opioiou that the
reverend gentleman should hereafter avoid
newspaper controversy, and when called t, en-
counter peculiar trials in his ministry confer
with those Of his own body.
The second charge was for "falseIy answer
lug questions propounded by the board of
chareh erection. The committee was of opn.
ION that the specifications under this head, re-
latiag as they did to matters of human iudg-
ment Ia which men might hoDoraby differ.
were not such as to form the basis of accusa-
!tloD; that Ia the premises they were trivial,
and that the evidence brought to support them
failed for want Of substance. In this charge
the trustees, and net Mr.. Brown, were by right
the accused party.
The third charge was for "nculcaing ideas
subversive of the Christian religion" The
specifications under this charge were somewhat
exaggerated by the accuser, and satisfactorily
explained by the accused, the general tenor of
whose public and private teaching fasi6od the
charge.
Charge fourth was for failing to account for
fluids expended by him 10 building the Vienna
church. :" The committee reported as follows
on the charge: "We are of opinion that this is
the most serious charge in the entire list aud
the investigation Of it, which was very thor
ough, showed so conclusively that it is entirely
without foundation that at the close of it the
accuser himself, of his own accord, rose 10 his
place before the committee and 10 the presence
ence of the assembly confessed the injustice of
it, and acknowledged the wrong that had been
Inflicted by it to the Rcv. John Brown"
Charge Gith was for speaking contemptu-
.ous y and disrespectfuy of the PresbyeIy"
The specifications were based on two or three
statsnents made by the brother in sportive
'mannex, and were 100 trivial for serious con-
:sideration.
Charge sixth was for applying insulting lam
guage to bis church members" Under this
charge the committee was OF opinion that the
grounds of it in the premises were extremely
frivolous, showing an excessive Zeal Of accusa-
tion which, if seriously countenaDced, would
leave no security tor man or woman IN the
alsual walks Of life.
Charge seventh was for Violating the rule 8
nod usages of the Presbyterian Church" and
like the preceding two was frivolous and con
tanned no serious ground for complaint.
Ths eighth and last charge was for ''utteripg
falsehoods.' The speciGcat tions under this
charge were based mostly on the statements Of
the public letters already referred to, such as
that Mr.. HiDe 'could not give square meal
to a dozen grashoppers," etc.
The alleged falsehoods were. for the most
part species of persifage-such as could not
mislead or deceive any one. After condemn
ing, as rule, the practice the report went on
to say ''We are of opinion, however, upon
the whole of this charge, considering that most
of them were 10 reply to severe provocations
from the accusing party in the case, that it
would be neither wise nor altogether kind to
hold the Rev. John Brown to strict account
upon the representations of his antagonist, as
made before the committee; and while We dep
recate the spirit and manner 10 which he co.,
Quoted his part OF the controversy, We are con-
strained to acquit him of the guilt of absolute
fasehood 10 the premises" After stating that
,the Church and considerable portion of the
pie of Vieana regarded Mr.. Brown with scuti-
,ments of high respect and consideration, bore
noble testimony to his life, and professed the
most sincere regret at his removal from among
khn.,x nt,,I~ III,
= review of the whole case, therefore, the COM
mittee duly considering all the precious inter-
e%ts involved, and what would, 10 their view
be the wisest course for all concerned. recon-
mend that the charges and specifications be
dismissed, and that the parties involved en-
deavor henceforth to strive for the things
which make Tor peace, and which will tend on
all sides to our mutual profit and edifcation"
DAVID Wills.
BYRON SUNDERLAND.
B. T. BIrrINGER.
LORENZO WESTCOTT
The Presbytery unanimously acted 90 The
recommendation OF the committee, and sent
Hines charges, with their specifications, into
the oblivion they deserve - Washington Re
publican
DEATH OF HERO OF Two BATTLE Jas.
Robinson, coored, the owner of the Robinson
House" on the Bull Run battle field, near
Manassas. Va, died few days since. He wit
messed both of the memorable battles, remain
ing on his place with his family during those
terrible scenes of blood. His house received
hundreds Of bullets and one solid twenty-four
FOUNDER, which went through bedroom, car
rying away one post Of bed upon which lay
sick Confederate soldier. He witnessed the
death of the Confederate Generals Bee and
Barlow, which took place within hundred
yards Of bis door. He saw the marble monu-
ment erected to their memory, and saw the
federal soldiers destroy the same at the second
battle He gathered up the fragments and
preserved them, and up to the time of ,;