Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-10-27
A Clerical Scandal.


HIS PEREGRINATIONs.
About ten weeks ago the Rev. Dr.. Muir
rill, "a distinguished CongIegatlonaliat
from New York," came to Petersburg from
Gates county. Z. g., and WAS soon occupy
ing tho pulpit Of the Rev. DE- Witherspoon,
who was away for seven weeks, also preach
ing il otlls.. Presbyterian churches OF that
city, The Iade1-AppeaJ OF Friday, says
HE RENOuNCEs PREsBYTERIANIsM AND
BECOMES A BAPTIST.
At meeting of the First Baptist church
one Saturday night, a little over two weeks
ago, he was present, made renunciation
of the faith he had 50 long followed, an l
Joined that church. Occupying the high
position he did, preaching so acceptably
and ably for so long time in a siste
church. and nothing whatever against him
being known, he was received into the
Baptist church, and on the next morning,
after preaching in the Tabb-Street church,
Was formally baptized by immersion in the
presence OF q large congregation. His or
diuaton to the ministry was fixed for the
following Monday night, and as in such
cases ordered, Il Presbytery was appointed
to make eXamina ton of his character and
faith.
RICHMOND MINISTER'S DON'T BELIEVE
IN HIM.
Two eminent ministers of the church
residing in Richmond, who were appointed
on the presbytery, declined 20 come over,
suggesting that further time be taken in q
matter so important, and the meeting OF
the presbytery was postponed, and with it
the ordination, DR.. Murrill expressed him.
self entirely satisfied, and in the meantime
went on visit to Philadelphia.
HE WAS KICKED GUT OF THE METHODIST
CHURCH.
The I1adeI publishes the following letters
from Nashville
NASHVILLE, TENN, Oct. 6, 1876.
81 notice in the local column Of the
LadeG-Appeal of October I'd, under the
head Of Interesting Congregational Meet
ing that the Baptist church of Petersburg
has received into it's membership one
Rev. DR.. Murrill, of New York; and in
the paper of the Sd instant, [ SEE that
arrangements are being made for his
ordination to the ministry Of the Baptist
church. The circumstances attending that
Interesting Congregational Meeting' CO.
incide so well with the action Of one Rev.
DR.. Merrill. who figured conspicuously
here about three years ago, and III Gallatin,
Tennessee, a year and d half ago, that am
led to suspect that the Rev. DR.. MurrelP
and the Rev. DR.. Merrill are one and the
same person. I may be mistallen-but my
suspicious are not altogether groundess.
Ny object in writing this letter is to put
you on the tract to ascertain that fact. To
this end L enclose a photograph OF the Rev.
Mr. Merrill that you May compare it with
the man who is represented AS the Rev.
Dr.Murrill,' If the fact should be deva-
Hoped that it is the same man the BAPTIST
church is receiving into its fellowship one
who was kicked out of the Northern Me
thodist Church for disreputable conduct
and one who had to leave his charge at
Gallatin, Tenn, little over year ago, to
escape the wrath Of an indignant member
ship. The Methodist church there bainga
new one, and [ being the architect Of it, [
came in contact with Merrill frequently
He once or twice told me that he was u
Congregationalist. He came South some
three or four years ago and joined the
Tennessee Conference of the M. e Church
South.
81 think his first year was spent as pastor
of West End Methodist church, of this
city, after which he was sent to Gallatin to
take charge of the Meth odist church there.
man now in your city, he is a fraad and q
wolf in sheep clothing. [ learned that
very grave charges were preferred against
MIN here, and also in other places before
he came here. [ would suggest to those
interested to make some inquiry about him
before they receive man into their church
as minister who is unworthy Of their
confdeuce."
ANOTHER LETTER.
NASHVILLE, October II, 1876.
"Your letter Of the 10th reached ne this
morning, and it turns out that the "Rev.
DR.. Murrill'' is no other than the Rey. Dr..
S. NJ. Merrill There Was no doubt in my
mind of that fact, however. Just as I was
about to mail my letter to you, mention
ed the fact incidentally to a gentleman
who knew Merrill. He said ! was on the
trail. as Merrill had written to him from
North Carolina few weeks previous, sts
ting that letter would reach him in
Petersburg. Merrill owes the gentleman
$500; hence the correspondence"
HIS PEREGRINATIoNs.
The I1ader gives a long account of his
peregrinations in New Y ork, in the North
west, and in the South, which shows him
up in a most discreditable light The
writer, who has known him long, closes
as follows
81 saw Mr.. Merrill in Nashville the first
or second week after his arrival, and had a
lengthy conversation with him.
Nothing Of the past was referred to
first, because man to act as he had might
truly be ashamed Of his course; secondly,
because of his pathetic appeals in New
York, which evinced the strongest contri-
ton and repentance thirdly, because of
his striving, SO far as we knew, to elevate
himself to be a good citizen and Christian
minister.
81 thought that as every sign Of true re-
pentance had appeared, silence on my part
to my friends in N ashville, of his previous
life, would be the best. am sorry to learn
that | have been disappointed-th the
deceiver in Merrill appeared-that his
church has been disgraced, young lady
deceived, and the hearts OF good and Wor-
thy parents have been Droken.''
The CORPSE OF Mr.. MARION HIGHT,
Of Winchester, who died at the Western
Lunatic Asylum, in Staunton, on Tuesday
morning last, was received by members of
Rockingham Union Lodge of Masons here
on yesterday morning, and tran sferred to
3. u o. r. r. train by which it WAS fOr-
warded to Winchester for interu.ent. Mr..
Hight has been confined in the Asylum
Since last February, and died from nervous
pr0stratiOn. He was very highly esteemed
at Winchester, where he was raised, and
had been q member of the firm Of Hight
& Wall, booksellers .-Hdrrisonburg Com
nloneCeaHh.
Three negro men tried to steal a free