Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-07-14
Tie Christian Advocate on the Han
ner Investigation.

In this weeks Christian AdrOcdte ap-
pears the following editorial remarks con-
corning the arTaignment and suspension of
Rev. DR.. John W. Hammer:
1--WE cannot express our deep sorrow for
what has taken place in connection with
the distinguished minister whose name
stands at the head Of this article. We had
heard Of the sad case several DAYS before il
was made known to the public, but we
never breathed q word of it to any person
till we were approached on the subject. In
deed, we are not disposed to say much on
1t now, as anything that might be said, in
our position, is liable to be misunderstood
and misrepresented, TO the injury of all con-
cerned. We shall, therefore, be as concise
as circumstances will allow.
"Three ministers OF the Murfreesboro
District, Of which DR.. Hammer was Presid-
ing Elder-we do not know their names -
reported the case TO Bishop McTyeire, who
had an interview with DR.. Hammer, and
also with the young lady in question and
her brothers. He then summoned a COM
mittee Of Investigation tOmeet at Murfrees-
bOrO. July 8. He selected five iudicious
brethren from four Districts, to-wit: DR..
Il. H. Rivers, from Columbia District; J..
{. Bryan, Murfreesboru District; W. II.
Hughes, Lebanon District; J. K. Plummer,
GAINESVILLE District; J. D. Barbee, Muir
frees6OrO District. The committee were in
session a day and half-with closed doors,
If course. Bishop McTyeire managed the
difficult business with great prudence and
ability.
AT the present writing We have not
seen him or any Of the members of the
committee since the investigation, except
DR.. Rivers, whose hand we graSped as we
got out Of the car on our return from the
springs, Monday evening, but we had no
opportunity TO converse with him. We
have at this time nothing to say in regard
10 the unfortunate affair, save this, thai We
have seen and heard of no one that does
not deeply regret it, both on account of DR..
Hammer himself and the church Of which
he has so long been a distinguished minis
ter; and We would add, that Is an 'inyesti
CATION is not trial. we would counsel
reticence, not only by the press, which in
these parts IS not disposed to deal largely
IN matters Of this sort, but also by people
IN general, especially our ministers. We
heartily wish the case could be entirely ig-
nOred until the session Of the Tennes-
see Conference in October, when the
trial will take place. This much we are
quite sure we may add with perfect pro-
priety, that as the accused minister is in
deep aiiliCtiOn, overwhelmed with sorrow
for what has taken place, we should offer to
God our sincere and earnest prayers on his
behalf, that He might restore unto him the
JOY Of His salvation and uphold him with
His free Spirit, and at the same time so
override this sad occurrence as that it shalt
not result in the injury of the church which
be has loved so well, ard at whose altars
he has so long ministered. As our readers
will naturally wish to see an authentic ac-
count Of the case, we cOndense from the
UNION AND AMERICAN Of July IL what
We are assured is a faithful report.
Here follows the UNION AND AMERI-
CANS report in a condensed fOTm.1
"The UNION AND AMERICAN concludes
a brief and discreet editorial in these
words: The discovery of the scandal was
followed closely by a rigid investigation,
the result Of which We present in the official
shape. When stern justice is thus meted
out, let sCOffers be SILENT"