The daily gazette., 1875-07-13
PhiIadeiphi0's Beecher Case.

PHILADELPHIA, July 12.--The trial
of Rev. Thomas Bolts, of the Twelfth
street Baptist church, on charges pre-
ferred by five members of the Board
of Trustees, including two deacons,
as well as number of lady members,
"of unministerial conduct, undue ia.
miliarity with certain ladies, want of
truthfulness and other matters by
which the cause of Christ and QUE
denomination are injured" has been
in progress since last Thursday, sit.
ting with closed doors, Rev. William
Cathcart acting as moderator. Nearly
twenty witnesses for the prosecution,
mostly ladies, have already been ex.
amined, and both the prosecutor and
defence hope to get through by to-
night.
Yesterday, after a brief address by
the pastor, regretting the absence OF
prominent members, requesting the
prayers of those present, and asking
all to think of spiritual things, that
day, and not of scandal, administered
communion to those who attended the
service of the church.
The Twelfth Baptist Church Ia a
two-story wooden ediflce, sitting back
on Richmond street, above shacka
maxon: The first floor is occupied as
Sunday School, while steep steps
lead to the hall of the church on tho
second story. The little church has
been hard to please with Its pastors,
and now, for the third time in twelve
years, is in trouble on this account.
The council is composed of the
ministers and deacons of the Baptist
church in the city.
MIR. Bolts says the charges were
made for revenge because he opposed
"a sailor preaching in the church last
winter, when George Boyles, who
brought the sailor there, charged that
the pastor had young ladies sitting on
his lap. They were put "under dis
cipline" for this by the church, and
their friends got up the call for the
council, without the knowledge OF
thirteen of the persons whose names
were appended to it. The pastor
then himself called for delegates, and
when the council assembled they were
unanimously asked to stay.
The opposition to Mr., Bolts state
that he had threatened them with sew
en- years imprisonment for charging
him with adultery and theft" Mr..
Boyles says young lady at his house
was afraid to be alone with Rev. Mr..
Bolts because he would "drag her on
his lap and hug and squeeze her" "that
Mr.. Bolts could not match the sailor
on points of doctrine and was Jealous;
that charges in regard to his treatment
of daughter of Brother Emory" had
been privately settled in church three
years ago; that similar charge was
made two years ago, and since then
numerous ones; that members com
planning were ''disciplined;" that four
weeks ago an elder and a member fol
lowed the pastor and young lady
member of the congregation In dis
reputable neighborhood late at night,
back of the malt houses at Belgrade
and Otis streets, and stopped them.
when Mr.. Bolts said they were going
to see the new church mile away;
that the pastor opposed the investiga-
ton; that the testimony will prove all
the charges, which do not, however
ego as far as 1'ilton's charges against
Beecher," and if the council does not
convict him Mr.. Boyles will bring suit
at law. Other members confirmed the
statement of the threat of seven years
Imprisonment. Most of the testimony
will be unfit for publication. Rev
Mr.. Bolts is fine-looking young NAH
of 85 years of age, very popular in the
neighborhood, and has wife and two
children.