Evening journal., 1889-10-18
A PREACHERS DIVORCE.
BALTIMORE SYNOD CONSIDERS REV.
J. R. cAMPBeLL's CASE.

Rev. MIR. Malone Delivers Some Interest
Ing Testimony In Defence of ais Brother
Minister. Mrs. CampbeI's Charges
Against Her Husband.
The morning and afternoon sessions Of
the Baltimore Presbyterian Synod at the
Brown Memorial Church were entirely
taken up yesterday with the considera-
tion of the complaint Of six members of
the Presbytery Of New Castle, touching
the recent divorce and marriage OF the
Rev. ]. r Campbell of that presbytery.
At o'clock in the evening the synod de-
cided to sustain the complaint and remit
the case of the New Castle Presbytery
The synod opened its session with the
usual devotional exercises Then was
read the following record of action
of the New Castle Presbytery,
which met in Hanover Church,
Wilmington, December 81, 1888: "Your
committee would say that, in regard to
the case of the Rev. ] sR Campbell, on
the tenth of December they had their at
tention called to transcript of the pro-
ceedings had in the year 1872 in case Of
application for divorce made by Mary
A. Campbell before the court in the city
Of Jersey City, N. j., but the committee
thought, aud still do think, that their
duty only required them TO examine into
the facts relating to the divorce obtained
by Rev j. r, Campbell in 1881 and his
subsequent marriage in 1888 and not to
examine into the case abnitio. They,
therefore. made no recommendation iii
this respect, but submit the case to the
judgment Of the presbytery.
The New Castle Presbytery had adopted
the entire report of the committee, and
Rev. J. 5. Malone gave notice that he
would make a complaint before the synod
of the action of the presbytery.
Mr.. Malone said: After Mr. Camp
bell had procured his decree of divorce
he wrote Mrs Campbell letter calling
her his wife and never intimating the
fact the divorce had been granted Mrs.
Campbell was entitled to almony and
in case of this kind to be heard in per-
son or by counsel She has been de-
frauded of her rights. From the pro-
ceedings it is presumed that she is in the
wrong and has concealed everything
There is no doubt but that this divorce
was procured in fraudulent manner,
and the oaths of the compliments were
not substantiated by facts. In the sworn
statement made by Mrs. Campbell in
Jersey City upon applying for a divorce,
she says that her husband told her he
had her under his thumb and intended to
keep her there.
Continuing, she says He has struck
me in the face repeatedly, and at one
time pulled me out of the bed and made
me sleep on the floor He also told me
that | was no better than brute-that
| was ugly, uncouth and that he had mar.
ried beneath his family. At one time he
picked up a hammer and threatened to
knock out my brains At one time he
threw our baby down in the cradle so
hard that he broke the bottom of the
cradle, saying that it was not
worth while taking care of a squall.
ing brat One day he asked me what
kind of ounces grew on peach trees
At this my sister made some remark
to him and he told her she had better not
say anything or he would knock her into
a cooked hat. ] saw him strike her with
his clenched fist. We were staying al
her house at that time, and his conduct
was so obnoxious that she declared that
if he did not leave she would have him
arrested. Afterwards he asked my for
giveness, but / would not listen to him.
Finally, | did forgive, but would not con.
s7nt to live with him During our mar.
risge he never contributed $l00 for my
support.
The Rev. DR. La Fayette Marks, Of the
Presbytery of New Castle, then replied to
Mr.. Malone's charges; 1.-The only parties
in this matter are the complainants and
Plesbytery Of New Castle. The investi
eating committee appointed, of which
was chairman, was not committee OF
prosecution. After a thorough examina
tion we did not find any ground fol
tabling charges against the brother. The
New Castle Presbytery then retired, and
after all the remaining members had ex
pressed their opinions, the vote was taken
| Twenty four voted to sustain the com
plant, six against, and three to sustain
in part.