The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1890-05-22
BaYs Acquitted.

Chattanooga TImesl
Rev. H. W. Bays has been acquit-
ted OF immortality by the Southern
Methodist Conference now holding
its sessions at st. Louis, Mo.
This case is famous one in the an
nails OF church history in East Ten
nessee. The gentleman was accused
three years ago Of a crime which has
since thrown a dark cloud across his
path. AT the Tuesdays session Of the
general conference he stood before an
august and venerable ecclesiastical
court OF appeal to again answer the
charges preferred against him and
await the verdict, which was either
to sustain the verdict Of the lower
courts or to vindicate him, and open
the door of society so that he could
enter itagain cleared from the degrad-
ing spectre which has doggard his
footsteps. His complete vindication
came when the high court Of appeal
acquitted him of all charges which
were preferred against him.
To recapitulate the story will be Of
interest to the Chattanooga and
Knoxville public. Rev, Bays is well
known in Chattanooga, his brother is
pastor Of a Methodist church here,
and is now in st. Louis as a delegate
to the general conference.
When the charges Of immortality
were preferred Mr.. Bays was pastor Of
the Broad Street Methodist Church at
Knoxville, and a most eloquent and
gifted preacher.
Among the congregation was a
prominent physician and his beauti.
full wife, The latter was an accom-
plished woman, with great charm Of
manners, and feminine magnetism.
The reverend preacher became fre-
quent visitor at the home of the doc
tor his visits were either in the ca.
pacity OF minister, or as social
caller. The visits grew apace from a
weekly call, they began to be daily.
No one, however, held any suspicion
that these calls we're otherwise than
in the nature OF friend to friend,
or pastor to parishonor
After Mr.. Bays had filled his charge
for a couple of years the tongue OF
scandal began to Wag; people by in
uendous talked Of the visits to the
house from a rumor the suspicion
took tangible shape, and it became
openly talked about that something
must be wrong. The husband of the
lady who had been so wronged heard
the talk which had become house
hold. He Immediately reported the
matter to Rev. DR.. Frank Richardson
Presiding Elder OF the Knoxville dis
trict. The latter suspended the
preacher from his ministerial duties
pending an investigation.
A committee of preachers was ap
pointed by the Presiding Elder to in
vestigate the charges. This commit
tee found the evidence sufficiently
grave to warrant it advising that Mr.
Bays be brought before a ministerial
trial committee and answer to this in
dictment which it had prepared. Th,
presiding elder was forced into thi
position, and he appointed one Of tn,
number to prosecute Mr.. Bays befor
the trial committee.
The trial subsequently came off
the prosecutor made out his charge
and submitted documentary evidenc
to support his case. The evidence AZ
peared conclusive and the argumen
spacious. The defendant stood alone
quietly stated that he was innocen
and left the matter in the hands OF th
committee to dispose OF as it would.
He was found guilty OF the sewers
charges melted in the bill of indie
ment and suspenned temporarily III
til Holston conference met.
At the annual conference the cas-
came up before conference commi
tee and the judgment Of the lowe
court was confirmed. In open col
ference, before the entire ministeri'
bench the bishops gravely passed sci
tence, divesting him OF all minister
: al authority and expelling him froi
the church. Mr.. Bays appealed to I'll
last court, and now the mighty loa
he has been carrying is lifted froI
. him, and he stands again before Il
world with every stain wiped out, an
fully exonerated from the grave cit
q tions. He will be restored to membe
+ ship, and will pour forth in gifted la
: guage the same truths that he a
nounced before the shadows fell.
. -
y Farmer Jere."
:, NASHVILLE, May 14.-Hon. Je
y D.. 49, urn,,ojJ oo.l;lo4 G