, 1876-12-31
TRIAL FOR SCHISM.


The commission appointed by the Maryland
Lutheran Synod to try the Rev. Uriel Graves,
On charges OF schism, contumacy, md fraud, re-
assembled yesterday, the Rev. Prof. Be1gstresser
In the chair.
The first witness was J. 4. Swingley:
SIN the spring Of 1876 Graves showed him 8
constitution for new church. Each member
vas to be pure in heart and contribute 1ocents a
week. Witness told him m oney was scarce
and times hard, and he had better wait. Graves
said he wanted q church for / 1,o00 me mbers, near
the line Of all the cars. The pure-in-hcart part
Of the constitution, witness told Graves, was
very good If he could get it; but did not think
he could get the 10 cents per week"
". r. Bishop testified:
"3Ir. Graves said on one occasion: THE time
has about come when the church must decide
between me aud other parties; some one must
be boss; If have majority I shall be boss;
aud If am boss these parties must get out; II
am put out tue garret window I wln run
around and come in the cellar door; II I, find
the majority Of the church members don't want
me, will give them no further trouble.''
The Rev. Uriel Graves was called by the
prosecution:
ssAdnitted having formed secret society
within the church. Its title was The Sons Of
the Temple Of the Triune Cod It's object was
to keep the young men of the church within the
church. Was not willing to reveal the secrets
OF the society, but would do 30 to the Committee
If they would sign the pledge book. Preached
On three occasions Ia Raine's Hall because asked
to do sou
R. N. Polk testified:
sGrayes came to uy house salmost sufo-
Gated with grief,' and said he would be COM
PEELED to resign on account Of the chickering's in
ths church. TIE congregation increased 1y 1nsarly
his coming we were like stray sheep"
Willinm 4. Wisong testified:
"Whcn Graves took charge Of the Third Lu-
theran Church there were many rumo's atloat
erogatoIy to him. natter EeotMng 70
promises were not fulfilled. He said from
the pulpit during sermon: Some people
arc So mean that they would lick the mo-
lasses from the lips Of dead nigger BABY
Ills fhis u5ea1 Occurred s sn p saobath ni@ht d
used expressions about striking his grand
mother OF aunt over the shins, Une-fourth Of
his sermons were preached against copy-book
and bread-and-butter preachers. GraVes told
him. He added: am as stiff as she is stout;
she don't speak to me nor 7 t. her; this makes
US even' One evening in the pulpit, preaching
OF the rest in heaven, be sank ba:k into the
cushioned chair in the pulpit, aad, rising, re-
tional, and spoke to him about it. Graves sal
ary was paid weekly, and was increased during
the time he was pastor; ne was lauded .; tne
press in peculiar manner. He thru atened atone
tune to give the ministers at the Synod such
longest day they lived. Witness said to Mr..
Gorsuch: Tommy, for Christ's sake don't let
Graves preach a sermon against the ministers;
they will be down on us worse tban eyer: VIZ
u haeonEn f7h did mt n0
his business in a businesslke Way. Graves
made use Of an expression iD the pulpit which
the witness declined to mention IN public, but
would tell the Committee privately; 1t was
sic, 1t an entertainment given BY the church,
Graves appeared In drama entitled The Cru
ci6rion Of Christi his performance was such
that prominent gentleman in box with me
said: This beats ANYTHING ! ever saw On the
stage Some Of the young men held Graves
back to keep him from rushing On the stage too
ii. NJ. Cowles testified:
tsIs member Of the Council OF the Third
Lutheran Church. and has heard Ar. Graves
ess He adnonished non T lin for doing So Graves said
Il certain expression which he had made use
Of had shocked witness he would never make
use Of It again. Graves would use such phrases
as THAT'S too thin,' and |You can't rub that
out.m
Thomas Gorsuch testified: t,,,,
q Has heard Graves say in the pnplt, ~
make DAYLIGHT shine through them ri 60
for T them Graves also said: sThere is one
kind OF religion that they grunt, and groan, and
moan like they he'd lost their great-gEandm
or had pain In their stomachs. Il nc got 70
Heaven, and that class Of people got there, ne
wanted to 60 on the other side He got So
happy sometimes that it made bis teeth jingle Rngle.
Witness advised him to see dentist" witness
saw Graves standing IN his study, oedose eh1P-
ner md others With his hands up; Gra7es said.
i defy the Council Some Of them had bold