River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-10-05
Rev. W. D. Atwater.

We copy from the La Crosse Chron-
icle the following concerning Rev. w.
d. Atwater, of this village, which
will be read with interest by the
many friends OF that gentleman:
The West Wisconsin conference has
acquitted Rev. w. ID. Atwater. In his
official relation to the conference he
stands side by side with his brethren;
his character unimpeaehed, his con-
duct indicated, and his name restored
to its proper place ON the roll OF min
isterialhonor. This may seem strange
in view of all the scandalOus reports
which have been connected with that
name. For fifteen months this man
has borne the burden of public condem-
nation. and the universal censure of
the Christian church. Press and peo-
pie have been one in their denuncia-
tions of the .'leeherous hypocrite. .
To ''the quality OF mercy he has been
stranger all these weary days and
nights of doubt and fear; the victim of
bitter unrelenting prosecutions. In
suited. betrayed, cursed and cast out.
Atwater has stood firmly and calmly,
strong in the consciousness of his own
innocence. | don't believe he has ever
doubted as to what would be the final
verdict of his peers. Faith in God and
the inherent power of truth has sus-
tanned him from the beginning OF his
trial. Now that the case is closed and
the verdict rendered, let all good men
take this brother back into their hearts
and confidence, brayely standing by
him and for him, against such hell
hounds as are still disposed to bark
and howl. We need not review the
history of the case. Before coming to
conference, Atwater had run the gaunt-
let of criminal courts, and ministerial
Investigations. When he came before
his brethren, at Portage, it was for a
linal adjudication of the matter. As
is customary, the conference referred
the case to a committee of eleven with
a chairman, appointed by the bishop.
Before this committee the accused APP
peared, with his counsel, while the III
terests of the church We're guarded by
two ministers whom the conference
selected. The latter were, in this in
stance, the very best men for such
work to be found in the state. The
principal was Rev. Kellerman, of Eau
Claire, ard being anew man among us,
entirely free from any bias in favor of
Atwater. Hall, of Portage, assisted
him. There was not particle of evil
dence against the accused brought be-
| foge this committee, although his ene-
mics have known for a year that at
this session the case must be settled.
Here was the place and this was the
time to make good their infamous
! charges, and ''show cause" why they
| themselves should not be denounced as
liars and betrayers. They did not
come, they did not send; they were ST.
| lent and absent. But it was proved
to the satisfaction of the conference,
that they were worthless s'fellows of
the baser sort, belonging to that crowd
of fiends incarnate whose delight it is to
blacken the fair fame of any christian
| man or virtuouS woman. 1t was i'm evil
| dence before the committee that these
accusers, living in the most conspic-
uous of "glasS houses" themselves,
had forfeited all right and title to the
respect and confidence of any honest
citizen. The question was; Shall a
man who for nearly twenty years has
sustained unsullied the reputation of a
Christian minister, who during all that
time has stood before the world with
out fear and without reproach;" living
a useful noble life; like the Master,
"going about doing good, shall such
a character be overwhelmed by the
testimony of oowardly wretches who
dare not face the consequences of their
own villainy! That was the question,
and the West Wisconsin conference
without qualification or condition, an
swered mo" Let every honest man
who is opposed to soul killing and the
work of conspiracy. endorse this con-
ference action. in the interest of JUS
tice and humanity. NJ. 3. b..