Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-09-14
REMARKABLE CHURCH TRIAL.

Correspondence OF the AlcXardrla GAZETrEl
MANASSAS, Va, Sept. y, 1SS5.-A re-.
markabe church trial was held here during
the past week. Mr.. Isaac P. Baldwin, a
noted gentleman Of this place, the author of
paper called IA Layman's Protest" which
severely criticised and arraigned the action
of Bishop Henry W. Warren, Rev. 3. II.
Vaughan, and a certain committee of the
Virginia conference of the M. e. Church on
charges preferred by said Baldwin against
Rev. E. II. Vaughan, secretary of said con-
ference, was put on trial under the charge
of lying, for saying in said protest "the COM
mittee dismissed the char ges without an in
closeted with the Bishop" also that lone
of the committee was rewarded with the
presiding eldership," and for saying he
had an order authorizing him to receive
certain money in business transaction.
On the side of the prosecution was array
ed the whole power Of the Virginia confer
ence through the secretary, with the records,
and six of the preachers, including the COM
mittee of inquiry appointed by the Bishop
and the Bishop himself, Henry W. Warren,
by letter, which was read in evidence,
though objected to by defendants counsel.
The prosecution was conducted by Rev.
John Edwards, of Alexandria, and Rev. }.
J. Rumburg, preacher in charge of Manassas
circuit, who earnestly endcayored to secure
conviction.
The committee of trial was Hon. G. G.
Gaver of Hillsboro, secretary, j. G. Sher-
wood, J. P. Roberts, r. II. Warder and
VIM. S. Herrick. All except Gaver are
members of Rev. John Edwards church,
Alexandria, and all said to be excellent men,
who gave patient attention for two whole
days, one half night and one whole night,
terminating at a. m. on the third day,
when the case was given to the committee.
Rev. J. M. Pascoe, of Falls Church, pre-
sided at the trial with distinguished ability
and an evident desire that justice should be
done, winning the praise OF all parties.
The defence was ably and skilfully con-
Quoted by e. P. Phelps, attorney at law, at
present of Washington, D. G.
The verdict of the committee of trial is
written on each and every specification
mot sustained by the evidence"
This verdict falls with crushing effect on
e. II. Vaughan and other ministers of the
conference, who confidently hoped by their
combined efforts, aided by Bishop Warren,
10 CRUSH DaluWlu duu IeIleSo IueusclFCS
from the force of his terrible arraignment of
them in the "Laymen's Protest" by turning
him out of the church in disgrace, in which
effort they signally failed.
The most remarkable part of the evidence
produced was letter from Bishop Warren,
which was sent to one of the counsel for
the prosecution in response to request for
his deposition, the reception of which, as
nvidapoa uoc 40 IN pot1u ohippf ad IN he conn
sci for the defence, but, for reasons satisfac-
tory to the presiding officer, was admitted,
read and filed as evidence.
1t is thought that the history of the
church does not produce parallel to such
action of bishop in thus throwing the in
fuence of his great Office upon q committee
in the trial of a layman.
No wonder that layman who has done
so much for the Church in Virginia as MIR.
Baldwin has should, under such bishop
and conference, protest. X. L.