The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-26
MRS. KITTELLE's CHIRGES.
The Teachers OF plymouth bethel Hearing
Testimouy for Their Pastor.

Tho committee OF teachers OF the Ply
mouth Bethel Mission Of Plymouth Church.
who originally Investigated tho charges OF i'm
morality made by Mrs. Matilda Kittellc Of 259
High street. Brooklyn. against the Rev. Frank
l.. Smith. pastor OF the Bethel. met lns, night
after the usual teachers meeting to take addi-
tional testimony in the accused pastors behalf
Mrs. Kittcllc has alleged that on the last Decora-
tion Day Mr.. Smith persuaded her to visit tho
West Side Hotel in this city. and that there he
drugged her. She asserted that they spent all
OF tho afternoon. from to o'clock. In that
hotel. Mr. Smith had already produced testi-
mony to prove an allbi for portion OF that day.
and last evening the committee heard the testi-
mony OF q gentleman. whose name they with
held. that satisfied them OF Mr.. Smiths where
abouts from II A. NJ. throughout the rest OF the
day and evening.
Mr.. Signor. tho Chairman OF the committee.
said after tho meeting: we look upon Mr..
Smith as innocent and highly moral. and shall
do no more about these charges. He has satis-
factorIly accounted for himself for every datc
mentioned, and IA to the charges OF his repeat
edly visiting Mrs. Kittello after ten o'clock at
night, we can show that he visited her about
some trouble that involves other persons. and
which We do not mean to enter into at this time.
Tho letters written 10y Mr., Smith to Mrs. Kit
tele were produced by her before the commit
tee reluctantly She wished at first To road only
such portions as she thought bore on this casa.
but we refused to hear garbled extracts. and
then we obtained tho whole Of the letters We
are done with this scandal"
Mr.. Lewis. Mrs. Kittcllc's brother. last night
prepared u card in reply 10 that OF Mr.. Isaac
Signor The following is the substance Of It:
On the evening of May &, Mr. LAighton called
teachcrs Of the bethel was called for Wednrs-
day evening to inquire into the charges thHt he
had made against Mr. Smith,. He wanicd him
To- bring his mother and Mrs Kttellc. llo told
him that he was Just going out TO make an AM
dayt to his statement. He told him that hC
did not think that it would add any weigh,
to il. so Lewis DID not do 1t. In the Bethel hc
was introduced into n room. where there wcr,
only strong supporters OF Mr.. smith. He was
told. in response to n question as to where Mr.
Smith was. thnt i was thought that he had bet
ter rot come for fear thnt he 04evsl might make
trouble Mr.. LOWS further describes the SECRECY
with which the investigation was coniu iel. al
the witnesses going in one 10y one. III mother
an inHrm lady u 60 years was kept in
dimly lighted and cold room. the doors o
| tha, the tea hers made for himself an,
sdSs s Sf t5o M1s K KEmn has nc es becn bh6 there r.,
/ except occasionally. Tor siN months, and tina
! then she went because Smith told her that h.
| could not preach when she was not there. liz
i9ld his tea'h her that he was going TO leave ~
| Bethel but he advised him not tp do SO. II,
made a demand for his documents. but thel
! sent only copies. md were anxious 70 get th'
| letters that Mrs. kittelle had received from Mr.
| Smith.
Mr.. smith explains his lettcrs 70 tho widow I,
/ he lu-t such letters as he would write in spiri
| tual consolation TO any wreck ed soul thAD nm'
| e. him. Whole volumes Of such letters. he says
might be collected IN his parish. Mrs. kitt"lle
/ h. adds. came 20 him. claiming that she was
/ wreck, ami he tried 10 assure her that shc wa
| not wreck. and might hc saved. Mr. Smitl
was 10th to take any notice ol the scandal. be
! cause he had satisfied the gentlemen ass sociate,
| with him Of his innocence. and that WIS all thel
| thought he ought To- attempt to do. Delutat ln
! from Dr. Storr's. Dr, Budin-tQn's. and otto
! churches have chilled on Mr. Smith, and TIA
! Rev. J. Hyatt Smith. the Rev Edward Egglesion
| the Rev DR.. Porter and others. expressed thci
continued confidence in him.