New-York tribune., 1886-02-11
PROBABLE RUIN or A MINISTER.
CHARGES AGAINST THE REV. DIR. PERsHING
FOUND GUILTY OF DISHONESTY, LYING AND M
MORAL CONDUCT GENERALLY.

FOUND GUILTY OF DISHONESTY, LYING AND M
MORAL CONDUCT GENERALLY.
PITTsBURG, Feb. 10 (Specidh.-The religious
community particularly the Methodist Episcopal portion
of it, shocked the verdict in the of the Rev. Dr.
T. c. Persbing president OF the Pittsburg Female Col
ege. which has Eeen before ministerial investigation
committee for two weeks Tho jury was composed or
seven ministers There four charges: dishonesty
obtaining money under false preeIces, lying ana Inc
general one of immoral conduct. The first was sus-
aned by vote OF TO - the second was not sustained
to 6; and the third and fourth were sustained py
unanimous vote. DR.. Per:hng is Therefore, suspended
from all ministerial services and church privileges unt
the ensuing session OF the Pittsburg Annual Confer
ence.
There were eleven specifications to the charge of dis
honesty, alleging that Dr. Pershng borrowed $l2GO
from the Cearfeld Penn, National Bank aud FAILED 10
return il; lent $4,000 TO the firm OF Knox McGron
belonging to the estate OF ths Rev James Henderssn;
ned and represented that he was the guardian OF
Mrs. Ella Henderson for the purpose OK obtaining
moneys due her and her sister, received money from
Elliott Mccall for the use OF his sister, Lizzie Mccall
student at the college, aud failing to pay over the money
to her. arranged with Joseph Clinton to deed three
fourths OF tract OF land TIdioute Penn. owned
by the OF Kier Pershng TO his daughter, LIZZIE n
Pershng, without the knowledge OF the widow ana
heirs OF s. NJ. Kier.
There specifications to the charge of lying
The first was that Dr. Pershng represented himself TO
Jonathan BoyntOn, president OF the Ciearfield National
Bank, as solvent when he was not; second, that ne
stated 10 Mr.. BOyntOn that his daughter, Lizzie X.
Per shing good for the amount OF money and after
ward told ". II. Dill that Sne was worth nOtpng anu
had married since she indOrsed the nOte third tnat lie
promised several times TO pay the note but had not done
so fourth that he assumed and represented hlnlset as
guardian OF Mis- Ella henderson; nh that ne was the
administrator OF the Rev. James Henderson, SIXTH tnat
he "A a of tue Board Of trustees OF tne
college that he did not owe Mrs Ella Henderson any
thing; and seventh publishing III the annual college
catalogue that five chairs en- lowed by the payment
| OF 10000, which was false. 80,
DR. Pershing asserts that with two possible excep
tons the witnesses for the prosecution were lnteleseu
parties. lie will at once prepare MS defence. Inc
blov 10 his family Is friend sald to-day
rhe verdict ruins Peshng. Hitherto he mas lalled 10
pay his debts; now his credit is utterly destroyed;
Mr. Anderson tho doctors son in law, said that the
general charge OF immortality simply referred to c0nduc
i'm business matters unbecOmng minister Ibe result
OF the trial will affect Dr. Pershng place as pres
dent OF the Pttsburg Female College. Tie presdent Is
elected 10y the Methodist Episcopal Conference The
Doctor has OF the building and cannot he deposed
until his term expires lie has dedicated pro3aoiy TWO
hundred churches and in this capacity Is well kuOwn IN
Ohio Pennsylvania aud West Virginia.