The New York herald., 1877-10-08
A Wears IMMORTALITY,
'TaR PRIEST IN ABsoLuMoN" APPEARS in A
NEW LIGHT

''THE PRIEST IN ABsOLUTION AppEARS IN A
NEW LIGHT.
FRAN the Newcastle Chronicle.1
Al the Birminsha Police Court yesterday the Rev.
Frederick W,llet, vicar OF Christ Church. West Brom-
wich, was Summoned by a former parshioner name.l
Mary Ann White, 10 show cause why no should not
contribute TO the support OF her illegitmae child OF
which she alleged him TO be tho ialheE Mr. Harris
and ML subbins appeared In support Of the case and
Mr. Collins, o. O., with him Mr.. Underhil, Tor tue do.
fendanL The excited intense interest," the court
beng crowded and many hundreds being unable OBJ
tam admission Rumors OF the alleged scandal we're
prevalent lew months since whereupon ut the sug-
gesl,on OF the defendant, an inquiry was held,
presided over by the Hishop OF LiIcAleld, tho
result being that the charge was declared ground
less. Since that time meetings have been held and
money subscribed 10 institute The present
Mr. Harris IN opentng the case, SAID that the com
painant was aged eighteen and halt years and was
the daughter OF West Bromwich boiler maker, and
the deenuanl, besides being Vicar OF West Bromwich
was u member OF the Society OF the Holy Cross. He
mentioned the Society oil the Holy Cross show the
Bench how Mr Wiliet cot this young grl into his
power, because he presumed mat ,hey would come
tho conclusion that had nc not been member of the
society he could have got the complainant into
his power, and could never have seduced her He
being member OF the Society OF the Holy Cross, used
u book, and was Instructed by book called "lhe
Priest in Absolution." That would have Important
bearing upon the corroboaye evidence which WAS to
be- found in The conversations OF Mr. Wilet aud tho
conversations he hal with the complainant from the
time she fifteen 10 the time that The alleged
nection took place
Is II rRuEy
The defendant. as a member OF the Society OF tho
Holy Cross, instituted the confessional box. The
palnaut wont 10 tho confessional hrst ~ the OF
hlteen, and was IN the haDit OF cVniessng twice q
month or once q fortnight This went Tor two
yeara The defendant Invited her 70 have Improper
Intimacy with him in June, when he used Indecent
language toward her IL came 10 pass tnat the girl
wanted situation, aud on the 9th OF june 1875 she
was invited by Mr. Willet where she had been many
times before, into his privaIe room TO him about
this situation. The complainant saw the defendant
alone his study. The defendant, having previously
closed The door, affixed 10 " card bearing the
words ''rhe VICAR Is engaged" lie then made
Improper proposals 20 her She then lett, but on
The following night she again went to the delcndans
study Aer asking her several Indecent questions he
committed the act which led 70 the birth OF the child
tue l5th April When she found herself enciente
she, with her sister went 10 the vcarase aud accused
the defendant Of having got her into this trouble. He
vehementy repudiated the aegatop said that II was
monstrous; promised 10 take legal proceedings II u
were repeated, and hnay ordered thcn out OF his
house Complainant gave evidence corroporatwe Of
the opening satement but hor crOss-sxauination
deferred. Otner witnesses were called and spoke to
TRIVIAL circumstances, aud eventually the ad-
jouroed until Thursday, when several alleged hostile
witnesses " III be called rho defendant II is stated,
viii also DC examined aud viii be questioned as 10 his
connection with the Socelv OF the Holy Cross aud his
use Of tho book ''rhe Priest iu Absouuon" I"