The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-10-16
SIXTH cay.


visited five families more than he did
Mrs. Hicks. The defense here rested
their case, and the Judicial Committee
retired to decide as to mode of making
argument. They soon reported that
each party should have one hour and a
half for argument. A lengthy discus
sion occurred between counsel as to the
order of arguing, the book of discipline
being silent on that subject Mr.. II. S.
Martin, counsel for the prosecution, ask
ed for two hours each. This was discus
sed. Mr.. Martin then proposed that
there be no argument, which the defense
would not accept. 1t was decided to
hear the prosecution first, and the de-
fense last.
began his argument for the prosecution
at 1915 a. m. He thanked the Modera-
tor for his kindness, and then asked the
members of the Presbytery not to be
alarmed if he "ratted these dry bones
around, and exposed the skeleton which
has been hanging in the closet for three
years." the letters have proven an i'm
proper intimacy between Mr.. Park and
Mrs. Hicks; whatever was Mrs. Hicks
character has nothing to do with Mr..
Parks guilt; the frequency of Parks
visits to Mrs. Hicks is established,
especially by the testimony of Mrs. HIS
servant girl it has been established that
Park and Mrs. Hicks were frequently
together in the church, and went home
together; while Park told Mrs. Hicks at
one time to rise above her affection for
him, at another he advised her how to
visit him secretly and falsely he show
ed the effects of the scandal upon the
church prosperity. The prosecution did
not charge adultery, but adulterous con-
duct. He beggedthe court to give him
verdict that would place no loose CON
struction on the marriage tie; kissing has
been proven; Mr.. Martin said he prefer
red to do all the kissing that was done
to his own wife; Park sought by his ad-
vice to break the marriage VOWS which
he had so often himself solemnly pro-
nounced, and had acted in bad faith, for
he first promised to bring the letters be-
fore the Presbytery, and afterwards said
he could not, for they could not be got
at, when he himself made the settle
ment which kept them out; Park paid
the costs of the suit in court, which
pure man would not do, Mr.. Martin
closed by saying it was the purity of the
church that was at stake rather than the
character of any one, and spoke an hour
and twenty.seven minutes. The Pres
bytery then adjourned to l:3O p, m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
This afternoon Mr.. Park made his
statement, in which be admitted iDdis.
cretion, speaking with much emotion.
Mr.. Maxwell and DR.. MCCurdy for the
defense, argued, after which the counsel
and defendant retired. The members of
the Presbytery commented on the evil
dence, uniting their opinion that Rev.
Park was guilty of unlawful conduct At
o'clock a vote was taken, and unani-
NOUS decision given that the charges
were sustained in part.
EVENING SESSION.
After speaking on the sad state of the
church here, the Judiciary Committee
reported that the Presbytery Of Mahon
ing, having heard the charges agaius
Rev. W. ], Park, presented by John f
Clark ct al, and having carefully exam
ined all the testimony introduced BY
both parties, and having patiently con
sidered the arguments and explanation
which have been offered by both sides
is constrained to decide that the charge
against said Rev. W. j. Park are sustain
ed in part. The Presbytery being full.
satisfied, from the confession of the &C
cused, OF indiscretion and wrong doinI
connected therewith, and his aCknowl
edgment Of the authorship Of Correepon
dence with a married woman, which W,
find to have been extensive and secret
and the Presbytery being convinced o
the unwsrranted and scandalous CharaC
ter of this correspondence, and the grea
improperly of the frequent and pro
tracted visitation of parties, do unani
mously judge and determine that tn
said W. ]. Park ought to be ard hereb
is suspended from the exercise of tn
functions, all and singular, of his oAic
as minister of the Gospel, until he shal
give satisfactory evidence Of repentance