Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-02-21

r-1s<z,x n rzsrz nrrzlr zrrz1f an N
THE DEPOSITIONOFA G UILTY
PASTOR
MS ABANDONMENT OF MS FAMILY TO
RUN AWAY wITn A PRETTY GIRL.
fhc Right Rev. J. b. KeriOot, bish-
op OF the Episcopal Church Of the do
cese OF Pittsburgh, has dcsposed from
the ministry Percival Beckett, who
until August last was Rector in charge
of the parishes Of McKeesport and
Monongahela City. The charges
against the Rev Mr.. Beckett were
crime and immoral conduct based upon
bis elopement with young girl OF
Monongahca City, while be had wife
in McKeesport.
The delinquent clergyman was an
Englshman by birth, and was ordain
ed to the Episcopal ministry seven or
eight years ago. His friends are all in
England After his ordination be was
placed in charge Of 81. hukes' parish
IN Bloomfield, Sixteenth ward, fit's-I
burgh, where he remained ahout three
years. lie then removed 10 Columbia
this county where he was chosen
Rector OF an Episcopal congregation.
Ills services were continued ut Co'un-
blu for upward oi three years wh.nhe
was recalled to Pittsburgh ana plaeedin
charge OF the parishes oil Mcheespori
and Monongahela City, where be
preached on alternate Sundays ior a.
year aud hall.
Beckett was man about thlrty.hye
years OF age. OF fine address, aiiable
and pleasant in conversation. lie was
energetic ana earnest ana was consul
cred a Jealous minister, lie was
preacher 100, ol Iair ao'','y, anu h's
apparent devotion TO the hlgh calllhg
~ which he was engaged secured Iol
him the greatest respect OF his parish
toner's.
One morning IN August ol last Neai
be was missed ana inquiry ueVe,opeu
the TACT that simultaneously WIN hls
departure there had dlsappeareu iro'h
Monongaheia Ciiy a glnL ruriher III.
vestlgatlon disclosed lual 'he t"o VA"
lett the town togelhef' g"'ng 10 nus
burgh ~ the hlght anu taxing " 'ra'''
a. the Umon Depot Tor paris uhh"o"h'
The young lady was bclNeell seNeh
teen and eighteen years OF aye at the
time OF the elorement, aud Is said I"
be very handsame. She = the daugh-
ter of u brlcklayer OF Monongahela
City. She was a member OF Mr.
Beckett's church at the time OF the
disappearance Beckett took all ui
his wiie's clothing and valuables, and
it is alleged, borrowed considerable
money from different parties under
false pretences.
The officers Of the parishes reported
the crime OF the minister TO blshop
Kcri0ot, and committee OF three was
selected by that gentleman to invests
gate the runors. The committee in
slituted the proper investigation, and
in due time submitted report to the
Bishop setting forth that the rumors
had been inquired into and facts dcvel-
oped sufficient TO impress them with
the necessity of trial before the &C.
clcsiastical court. Charges were ac-
cordingly preferred against the Rev
MIR. beckett of crime and immortality
whichembraced specifications OF desel'
ton and abandonment oil ms wlie
adultery, ialsliyIng bis word by OBJ
tanning money under false pretences,
and other immortality.
Bishop herioot upon The receipt OF
TINS report appointed an eecieslas''cai
court, ana the kev. Mr' b''lsoy ap-
pointed Judge Advocate 10 proseGute ,,
the case IN behalf oil tne enurcn' nm
Burgwln, member oi Irlnl'y Oh9reh'
Pittsburgh, was selected 10 ueiehu 'he
errlng minister.
The court met from time TO time M
TRINITY Church, ana the enarges ana
specifications were read, ana witnesses
called and examined oy Dr. Hltchcock,
Rector oil Trinity Church the kev'
Mr. Meech, OF ohrist Ohurch, Alle-
ghcny tho Rev Mr.. Alsop, OF ~
Andrews's, Pittsburgh, the kev' Mr'
Norman, oi St, Lukes' ii''sourgh'
anu me hev, MI. opaulding, OF oI
refers flttsourgh. Inc same rules
Oh evidence IN pracuee I'D our e'Vll
courts were observed dnring ihe tria'
oi the reverend gentleman, us Is 'he
case IN all ecclesiastical courts ol the
Episcopal Church, ana the charges,
with the exception OF that OF
adultery, were sustained. The court,
few days since announced to Bishop
herioot their finding, to wit: "lhal
the Rev. Mr.. Beckett Is guilty OF crime
and immoral condnct, and should be
degraded and deposed from tie minis
try"
In accordance with the canons OF
the church the Bishop then summoned
the reverend gentlemen constituting the
court, aud others OF the congregation,
10 the number OF twelve, for the pur-
pose OF publicly dcposing from the
ministry or accommodating Mr..
Beckett. This meeting took place ON
| Pittsburgh, and was one OF the most