River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-03-03
Dominic MILLER,S KISS.

Scriptural, Perhaps. but not at all APP
proved in Roxbury--The Pastor De.
scribing and Justifyins the OscuIa-
tion--Isrs williams says They Were
Only Applying. an Apostolic Com
nand.
The excitement in Roxbury, Della
ware county, over the kissing of
Mrs. Williams by the Rev Benjamin
C. Miller, of the Roxbury Reformed
Church, does not abate. A rumor that
Mr. Miller would resign last Sunday
drew large congregation to his church,
The pastor did not resign, and only
made a passing reference to the scan
dal. Il did kiss Mrs. Williams" he
said, ''but there was in that kiss moth
ing of siR; it was a holy kiss, as | have
before averred, and it was merely such
salutation as is recognized in Holy
Writ as rightful and good Still, / am
willing to admit that | may have erred,
that | may have been injudicious, but
| insist that the kiss was holy, and that
| have done no sin. Further than this
[ have nothing to say"
Mr.. Miller was subsequently found
in his study. He is small of stature,
pleasant in address, and has dark
brown eyes that flash as he speaks, and
a handsome beard. He reclined in an
easy chair and spoke without embar-
raSsment of the afiairi 1T was in
this room-my study" he said, that |
kissed Mrs. Williams and was seen. 1t
was not an ordinary or usual thing for
me to kiss her, though so long and in
timately have we known one another
that | really have come to regard her
as Il dear sister. And she, | know,
looks upon me as a brother. Hence
there was nothing-absolutel nothing
impure or wrongful in our exchang-
ing kisses; but, of course, it is utterly
impossible to convince the world of this.
In RoXbury, as everywhere, there are
men and women who are happy only
when they can impugn another's mo-
tives, and who are never so pleasantly
employed as when seeking to ruin an
others reputation. With such people
molehills are mountains and suspicious
are facts. The young lady who saw
me kiss Mrs. Williams spread the
story quickly, and it, soon developed in
to an astounding sensation my enemies
were iubilant, was earnestly laboring
in revival service at that time in the
Methodist church, assisting Brother
Burgar. when Il committee appointed
by the trustees of that church notified
me that my participation in these SER
vices was no longer desired. Demand
ing to know the reason for this action,
/ was for the first time acquainted with
the story which was afloat connecting
my name with that of Mrs. Williams.
That night it was that | arose and re-
ferred to the story, as IS published in
Sundays San. | said / did kiss the
woman, but it was a holy kiss, and
prompted by brotherly interest
8 But this confession and the defence
did not satisfy Roxbury" Mr.. Miller
added. My own church divided con-
corning my position, and yesterday I
was summoned before Consistory and
questioned sharply. | replied as | felt
was for the best, though presume not
to their entire satisfaction; for when
warmly announced that [ would no
longer fellowship them, they seemed
quite willing to receive my resignation.
l leave the Roxbury Reformed Church
of my own will. | have not been ex-
PEELED, nor am l to be arraigned for
trial on any charge whatever. The
agreement into which | entered with
the Consistory is substantially that |
shall continue my pastorate till April
LIST next, when my farewell sermon will
be preached.
:" am opposed to every species of
free love-" continued the Dominic,
"but as regards what passed between
me and Mrs Williams, | feel that
| have the sanction not only of my
own conscience, but of the emphatic
teaching of the Bible and the practice
of the truest Christians. | have board
ed with Mrs. Williams since May last,
though ! have known her quite well
during all the past five years of my
pastorate at Roxbury; she has been
very kind to me-very kind"
Has it been your custom to kiss
married women in this brotherly way?"
/ don't care to answer such ques-
tions," was the reply.
The preacher further said that
though he yet has no plan for the fut-
ure, he will not quit the ministry, in
asmuch as he feels specially called
by God to preach" He averred that
he cared nothing for public opinion as
to his conduct. 81 bow to the iudg,
ment of none but God" he said with
some vehemence, " and howsoever
despitefully the world may use me /
shall not worry. | know that my acts
have not been evil"
Mrs. David Williams, pretty
brunette of about twenty-six years, the
lady who was kissed, said: +" Dominic
Miller kissed me, and 1t is nobody's
business. | guess | am old enough to
know how to take care of myself. The
Bible teaches that there is a holy kiss
among Christians. Now | belong to
the Baptist Church, and about a week
ago | was engaged in busting the
dOminie's room, when we got discus
sing certain texts from our different
points of view-I as Baptist, he as Re
formed In referring to the Bible we
came across the words of Paul, when,
as pledge of Christian love, he dir
ected the bret rem to greet one another
with holy kiss. Then we exchanged
kisses. That is just all there is of it,
SO you think the teachings of
Scripture vindicate your"
"Of course; can't any sane person
see that"
g But your husband-what does he
think of the matter?'
" He thinks Just what any honor
able man would think-he thinks that
l am all right; he knows lam"
Mr.. Williams. who is an esteemed
citizen of Roxbary, was found at his
place of business. He averrcd thor
ough trust in his wife's honor He
saw no reason for condemnation Of
either her or the preacher. OF the
latter he says: g No purer man lives. >
Mr. Williams said, with much show
of earnestness, that even though all the
stories told of intimacy between his
wife and the preacher were true, it was
of no consequence. " Indeed" he
averred, II consider it a decided com
pliment to have q wife whom such a
good man as Dominic Miller would de
sire to Kiss"
The young lady whose unannouneed
call at the home of Mrs. Williams led
to the discovery OF "holy kiss" is Miss
Ella Tyler, petite little body not more
than Is years old. She said: Il went
into Mrs. Williams's house as usual
without ringing the bell. asked little
Lizzie Williams where | could find hel
mother. She answered, Mamma is
in the dominie's room-she stays there
nearly all the time" | could see into
AZ et,-J,, +l,r0,,ob !, oro III ~, tba JOpr