The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-26
THE BETHEL SCANDAL.

REV. MR.. SMITH ANXIOUS TO REPLY TO THE
CHANGES OF MRS. KETIELL.-ANoTHEn NEXT
ING OF THE CoMMITTEE--THE POLICY or
sILENcE--ANswER TO Mr. srGSoR's CARD.
Owing TO tho wide publicity given by tho HERALD
yesterday 10 the charges brought by Mrs. Matilda
Kctteil against Rev. Frank L. Smith, the Missionary
OF Plymouth Bethel, committee OF the Sabbath
school teachers connected with that institution
including superintendent Signor, held private
meeting for about hour and hal. in the
building last evening. The object OF this con-
terence, freely stated beforehand 10 members
OF the press, was 10 consider proposition by Mr.
smith that no should make a statement intended TOR
publication, in answer tho detailed accusations Of
Mrs KstieI. The result OF tho meeting was tho
adoption OF the policy OF silence. Mr.. sgnor, alter
tho conclave had broken up, informed the press rep
rcseptafives that tho statements already made
before the committee, and which fully accounted for
the presence OF Mr.. smith Brooklyn Decoration
day OF last year, had received last evening an add
tiopaI confederation by highly reputable person,
whose identity he declined to diyulgc. He added,
however, that the committee had boon fully sat
isied OF tho falsy OF Mrs. KettclPs statement In re-
gard 10 Mr.. Smith being In New York on the
day named before they heard the corroborativc
statement alluded TO- Mr.. Sisnor refused 10 give
abi for the accused minister the ground that the
CON mit;ee had been pledged 70 secrecy in re-
gard thereto. ON being asked II he could cx-
plain the numerous visits made by Mr. Smith
10 the residence OF Mrs. KcttelI, when there
sickness the house, and whom she and her relatives
were in need OF pecuniary assistance Mr. Signor
replied that he did not believe such visits had been
made. Having been informed that all tho neighbors
living near Mrs Kettel wero agreed as to
that point, Mr.. Signor said he did not caro- to
discuss that feature Of the there were
parties remotely connected with II who did not wish
their names mentioned. Mr. signor concluded by
saving that the ended. as far the Plymouth
Bethel and Church concerned, ana that no fur
lhcr notice whatever would be laken Of the charges
Mr. snrH's SERENITY.
During the afternoon HERALD reporter called at
tho residence Of Rev. MR. smith, who was found IN
calm and cheerful mood, Notwithstanding tho
embarrassing position 10 which most men unacr like
circumstances would be III ut ease Not So however.
persouaton OF suavity and bonh0nn,ie. Having been
asked by tho writer II he wished 70 offer any
tho letters written by hn that lady, he replied
substance, as fOlows:-"Acting under the advice OF
my friends connected with Tho Bethel. must stnl
decline any statement, although, for my part,
should be most willing 10 do So II they would con-
sent. will say however, that the charges made
have many moro friends in Brooklyn than sup
posed Even on the opposite side Of The house
people from tho churches OF Drs. and Buding-
tou-havs assured me Of their confidence and good
will Within the past days, since affair,
s slsls'R RsV Dr. Porter hay: 10
me their belief In my integrity and
have spoken words oil encouragement to me- In re-
gard the letters Only say that they were such
ils would write 10 any person who was IN trouble.
she insisted asserting hat she was wreck. and
endcayored to dssuade her from thinking so. Tho
trouble alluded 10 IN my letters was what caused
me befrcnd her IN the first place What
Ut liberty TO tell It fully. ! shall consult with my
friends, and, II they consent will give the news
papers statement Of tho whole case; bus until that
consent Is obtained must out OF respect tor thor
opinions, remain sent'
WAS THERE FAIR COMMITTEE ISvEsricArIoSS
In answer 10 the card OF MIR. Sgnor, published in
the HERALD OF yesterday, and setting forth that tho
parties making charges against Mr. Smith had tho
fullest opportunity to make their statements, and also
that they were treated with the utmost iair-
ness, Mr. John Lewis, brother OF Mrs. Matilda
KsIell madc tho follow wing statement yeslerday to
laignion called at my house aud told me that COM
mitIee Of The teachers OF the Bethel Was called for
"Wednesday evening, TO inquire into tho charges that
| had made against Mr.. smith. He wanted me 10
orIng my mother and Mrs. KetlelL told him that
men /, said did think that would add
weight 70 IT, so did not do II. On Wednesday evening
Mrs Ke,teil with mo- On arriving there found as
ssmbicd Of the back rooms twelve teachers and
= sicnographcr, each and every ono being meme
ers OF Mr.. smith, but tho iattcr was not
there. l asked tor him and was informed that
they thought ne had better not come Tor lear
might make trouble he advised 10 stay away.
| was then told that would have TO DO admitted
by onc Tho others stay In Tho large audience
room and wait went before them without friend
among them and also without counsel. l read my
statement TO them and underwent very rigid
cross xamln alton. The same course adopted
toward Mrs. kettell, while mother, an old lady OF
Bixty-niue, broken down In health and heartbroken
In spirit Kept waiting In the cold audience room,
with all The doors locked and the keys taken out,
from eight in tho evening I'll utter dnighh before
the committee had fuiiy satisfied themselves that
that there no truth In the statements
made them. In regard TO their request
that We should leave the Bethel, would
state that Mrs. Ketteii has been there only occa-
sionaliy for tho past six mouths ana she only wont
then because smith toll her he could not preach
when she not thoro. l told my teacher shors
time after had made this matter known that was
going leave the Bethel but he urged me 10 stay and
not leave, as IT might ipJurc my casc
THOSE LETTERs
While ! was before the committee reading my
statements was asked TO leave the papers win
them for litto while, to look over, aud then they
would return them 10 me. They kept them Tor two
weeks and theu l had 10 send Tor them What
received back was only copy tsaid
10 bel OF what i had left win them.
They wore very anxious to have the letters
addressed by Smith to AIRS. ketteil given 10 them;
but Mrs Ketteil refused TO part will tncm. Mr. Sg-
nor also says his card that whore Mt smith Is
thoroughly kno-n tho charges need no refutation.
Now when told Mr.. Signor what 1 knew OF smith
he said tho Plymouth Church folks don't
know anything about Mr.. Smith; thcy never had
opportunity to investigate his character very thor
ougnIy before he came here, but no brought some
very good recommend ations with him. Now that Tho
character OF Mr.. Smith has been shown 10 these Ply
mouth Church people Mr. SIgnor says that they are
10 lily satisfied him, and that he stay among
them long he will. This sccms to 10 choicc OF
character characteristic OF Plymouth Church. !.