New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-10
CHARGES Against A CLEBGTM4N.
THE REV. B. P. RUNKLE's REPUTATION
HIS ORDINATION AS DEACON LEADS TO AN AcCUs-
ALTON OF DRUNKENNESS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBUNE.l

ALTON OF DRUNKENNESS
IBY TELEGR APH TO THE TRrBUNEl
MOUNT VERNON Ohio, March 9.-Gambier,
Ohio, the seat of Kenyon College and the Theological
Seminary OF Ohio in this county is at present consider
ably exercised over an which furnishes in
teresng topic of conversation for all the clergy and
prominent aity of the Protestant Episcopal Church in tho
DlOceses OF Ohio Southern Ohio, Indiana and Michigan.
Meetings for both cOmmendatOn and indignation have
been held in various parts OF the State particularly in
Cincinnati Columbus. The persons directly connected
with the Incident the Rev Dr. Cyrus Bates Profes
of Systematic Divinity in the Theological Seminary,
the Rev. Dr. Abraham Jaeger, Instructor
in Sacred Languages in the Same insti-
ton, and General Ben Piatt RInke,
who was on Jannary Ii admitted by Bishop Knicker-
booker Of Indiana, TO the dacOnate. The ordination
followed by the issue OF printed circular few days
ago with the title, Expressions Of indignation the
ordination OF General Ben p Ruukle." The circu-
lar contains four pages OF letters from bishops.
cermen and editors Copies OF were sent by mail to
eminent clergyman Of the Epcopa Church in Ohio In
diana, Michigan and Minnesota, to the Faculty and
Trustees Of Kenyon College, to influential resi-
dents of Gambler, and to the prominent lay
men throughout the State. II was evidently
not intended for publication. The first page
contains an open letter written to W II. Osborne, Of
Monroe, Mich, who is indorsed by samuel s. Harris
Bishop of Michigan, which says:
Having noticed the account of the ordination OF
General Runkle, formerly of this place, and Of
Kenyon College, Ohio, in the living church, and
knowing that his past life has been Of such character
unit him for the churchs ministry and believing that
one acquainted with the facts could cOnScientiOl-y
further. allow his ordination, deem IL my duty
represent 10 those concerned the actual character OF
this man. Ny acquaintance with General Rnkle eI-
ten from 1850 when first met him at Kenyon, ana
continued up 1892 into the months of May and June
of that year, He in charge OF the mission AT Ga
lena. Quo. during 1850 and part Of 1851. While
there he known to have INDUCED in drunkenness
extent, and at time in particular saw him
when he showed umisakable evidence Of having passed
through dcbaucl In 1881 he went TO Midland City,
that he had the reputation there of drunkard, and
while appearing do much good he really Idebauched
public morals by his dlssOlute habits In october or
November of that year. he paid visit to
OF ntoXication in Columbus. found him while on his
way to Midland in state OF beasy inoxicatiOn. He
obliged leave Midland partly account of drunken
aud partly because OF an insult TO the daughter
was Mr.. James of Midland City, and saw the letter
myself which Ruukle wrote IN apology to Mr., James.
This beyond endurance and r James went
Bishop Harris and demanded his rcnOYa1rOm Midland
Finally he removed Midland and this city
of which resident, aud in which am the rector Of
Trinity Parish. He went to club house OF spOrtSnen
neal this place. mouth
River Raisin and there continued his debauChcry for
of Gambler permitted itself 10 take part In vani-h
ing up this mans character that he might appear,
rdycd garb OF possible decency, al least, when
presented fOT holy orders learn with pleasure that
there was minority, who had scruples and made
strong protest against the process. do not know how
Bates could have allowed himself To have taken part
i'm Ruukes ordination. He knew by evidence incOntrO
vertible that Runklc not tit fOr ordination, that he
ton 10 tine ministry. dozen other letters are given Of
ike nature