National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-12-15
TIE BRowN-HINE CONTROVERSY.


Report Of the COMMITTEES Of the Prssbyssry.
The Presbytery of Washington city met last
Monday at o'clock p. NJ, in the North church,
to hear the report OF the committee appointed
some time ago, ct the urgent request Of the Rev.
John Brown, to Investigate certain allegations
made sRainst him by "a citizen ef Vienna, 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 him by o. T. Hine, q resident Of Vienna,
but not Q member Of the church.
The first charge was for conduct unbecoming
minister Of the Gospel" based upon certain let
tiers published BY him last summer in the Fairfax
Fdrmtr and Netrs against o. e. Hine While
there was no ground for judicial srraignment in
this charge, the report showed that the committee
should hereafter avoid newspaper controversy,
and when called to encounter peculiar trials In
his ministry confer with those Of his own body;
The second charge was for falsely answering
questions propounded by the board Of church
erection" The committee was Of opinion that
they aid to matters OF human Judgment in which
men might honorably differ, were not such as to
form the basis Of accusation; that in the premises
to support them failed for want Of substance. In
this charge the trustees, and not Mr.. Brown,
were by right the accused party.
The third charge was for ''1nculcating ideas
subversive Of the Christian religion" The speci-
hcatiops under this charge were somewhat ex-
oRgerRIeQ Dy t0e accuSer, anu eALlcldCIOrlly GA
pisined BY the accused, the general tenor Of
whose public and private teaching falshsd the
charge.
funds expended by him 10 building the Vienna
church" The committee reported as follows on
most serious charge in the entire list and the in
vestig alton Of IL, which was very thorough,
showed conclusIvely that 1t is entirely without
foundation that at the close of it the accuser him.
SELF Of his own accord, 10 his pla:e before the
committee and 10 the presence OF the assembly
confessed the injustice Of IT, and acknowledged
the wrong that had been inflicted by It to the Rev
John Brown"
Charge nth WAS for speaking contemptuously
and disrespectiully Of the Presbytery." The spse-
made by the brother in sportiye manner, and
were too trivial for serious consideration.
TO bis csufeh mem bersi Under this charge the
committee was OF opinion that the grounds OF IL
in the premises were extremely frivolous, showing
excessive zeal Of accusation which, II seriously
countenanced, would leave no security for man or
woman in the usual walks Of life.
ussSss Of ae't the % Psesby tsrisn Sbarcs," and
like the preceding two was frivolous and con-
tanned no serious ground tor complaint.
The eighth and last charge was for 'utterlng
falsehooos." The specifications under this charge
were based mostly on the statements OF the pub
nc letters aireaoJ referred 70, such as that Mr.,
Hine "could not give square meal to dozen
The alleged fsisenOods we're for the most part
species OF persihage-such as could not mislead
or deceive any one. After condemning, as q rule.
the practice, the report went on to say: ave are
ofopinion, however, upon the whole Of this charge
considering that most of them were In reply to
severe provocations from the accusing party In the
case, that 1t would be neither wise nor altogether
kind to hold the Rev. John Brown to q strict &C
count upon the representations Of his antagonist,
as made before the committee: and, while We
deprecste the spirit and manner In which he con-
Quoted his part Of the controversy, we are con-
strained to acquit him Of the guilt OF absolute
falsehood in the premises" After stating that
the Church and considerable portion Of the peo-
pie Of Vienna regarded Mr.. Brown with senti
ments OF high respect and considerations, bore Q
noble testimony to his lie, and professed the
most sincere regret at his removal from among
them, the report concludes as follows: Upon Q
review OF the whole case therefore, the committee,
duly considering all the precious interests In
TolVed, and what would, In their view, be the
wisest course for all concerned, recommend that
the charges and specifications be dismissed, ana
that the parties involved endeavor henceforth TO
strive for tina things which make for peace, and
which will tend on all sides to our mutual profit
and edihcation." -
DAVID WILLS.
BYRON SUNDERLAND.
B. 7. BITTISGKR.
LORENZO WEsrcoTT.
TIE Presbytery unanimously acted on the re-
comnendation OF the committee, and scot Hines
CHARGE with their specifications, into the oblivion
thew deserve