Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-02-14

name Of his female relative and the CIR
cumstances which induced him to seek for
her in such q place. 1t has become known
that the report of the ladys having gone
astray was entirely erroneous, and that ahe
is now again happily with her husband ana
family. That brings the case back to the
charge of intoxication, which was certainly
unsupported by anything rising to the dig
nity Of evidence or testimony, and was
neeatived by positive proof"
The gentleman further said that Dr.
Armstrong was chargesble with great In
discretion in his conduct while in Cincin'
natl. This is not denied either by the doc
tor or his friends. But that he has been
guilty of any act of bsseness or immortality
they not only deny but challenge the proof.
The wardens and vestry were attendants on
the proceedings OF the ecclesiastical court
and the result has been q warmer feeling
and a higher admiration for and confidence
in their rector.
ANOTHER MEMBERS VIEWS.
Another member of st. Philips said:
ANY suspension of DR.. Armstrong be
yond what would be a reasonable censure
for an innocent indiscretion would be re-
psrded by those who know all the facts as
Indicating a purpose to drive him out OF
the church. There has been no detection
in the parish, and while we do not hold DR.,
Armstrong responsible for any greater sin
than indiscreet conduct in performing q
lsudable act. In this we think he has been
sufficiently punished BY the nearly four
months suspension to which DR.. Armstrong
has been subjected"
n CASE OF DR. ARMSTRONG.
Following is what the Constitution edi-
tor thinks Of the case;
The finding Of the court in regard to DR..
ArmstroDg-even while it scquits him OF
the immortality with which he was charged
will be received with sincere and almost
universal regret. His ability and his earn.
estness have made his pulpit a powerful
oae. His manliness and his devotion have
won the respect OF our people. His hearty
aud swift sympsthies have endeared him
TO them. To lose such a man would be a
calamity.
His vestry stands unbroken in is conf
dence in him. Having heard the testi-
mony day after day, and word by word, 1t
is unswerving in his allegiance and sup
port. His congregation is practically
unanimous behind the vestry. Public sym
psthy and public sentiment, as we have
said, are heartily with him. he and his
friends admit that he was indiscreet. This
they have never denied, and they are will.
ing he should suffer reasonably for his in
discretion. But the limit Of the punish
ment as set by the court they consider
much too severe for the admitted facts.
1t p clear to us that the limit Of
the suspension as set BY the court was in
tended to be extreme, and that the bishop
is expected to fix the suspension at any
point he m9S think proper within that
limit. This being so, we earnestly hope
the bishop may see his way clear to so
constituting the verdict as not to drive finally
from the pulpit so gifted and 80 strong a
preacher.
We may as we'll say frankly, and without
criticism of the verdict Of the court or of
the high and honorable court itself, that
we do not believe DR.. Armstrong guilty of
the slightest intentional wrong. We believe
he is q pure man and a good one. We have
seen him often during bis trial. We have
seen him when his agony wss keene;t aud
his humiliation deepest. We heard his
statement as he delivered it from psllid
aud trembling lips to the court. Never
have we seen him when he did
not wear, to our mind, the
mien Of an innocent man. Never have we
eeen him when he absted, for an instant the
sweetness and dignity and courage Of a man
who was sustained by q conscience void
of o~ffense. This opinion cannot and should
not stand against the decision Of g court Of
eminent and favless character. But it is
an honest aud deliberate and earnest opin-
ion; and for whatever it is worth>to a man
who his already suffered beyond the ca
pacity Of most men, it is freely put on
record.