Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-25
CASE OF MR.. STURGIS.
IT IS REOPENED AND CAREFULLY
CONSIDERED ANEW.
Verdict OF Not Guilty on Account Of HIS
Mental Condition When He
Wrote the Letter.

The case Of the Rev. J. r. sturyis, pastor
Of Trinity Methodist church. Of this CITY,
which has caused considerable anxiety
throughout this entire community. was
finally decided on Thursday night on re-
hearing before the same committee OF
ministers.
REoPEyIge.
On Saturday last Rev. DR.. Lambeth, OF
Broad-Street church, who was counsel for
Mr.. Sturgis, presented to DR.. Garland
written application. accompanied by the
request of the Board of Stewards Of Trini-
ty and others asking a rcbearing OF the
case on the ground of montal irresponsi-
bility on the part of Mr.. Sturgis at the
time of writing the letter which gave the
offence.
THE CASE CONSIDERED.
DR.. Garland Immediately called the
Committee Of Investigation to meet at
Broad-Street church on Monday last to
consider the application, and laid before
them the communications The commit
tee considered the matter carefully and de-
cided TO reopen the case and hear the addi-
tional testimony. DR.. Garland then ap,,
pointed Rev. T.. NJ. Peterson, Of Central
Methodist church, Manchester, as counsel
for the Church. which duty he performed
in very able manner.
VERDICT.
The investigation under the reopening
commenced at Broad-Street church parlors
on Tuesday last. and the following verdict
was reached by the committee on Thurs
day night about 5 o'clock.
"We, the undersigned, committee ap-
pointed BY Rev. J. Powell Garland, ID. d.:
10 30 ha Ot
Rev. J. II. Sturgis having since our trst
investigation been requested to reopen the
case for a rehearing and having done so, re-
port as follows:
1--WE have given q most patient, pro-
tracted. and praverful hearing to all the
testimony offered. We have heard the tes-
timonv OF number Of intelligent and re-
sponsible witnesses, among them two
prominent physicians az experts, ana nave
reached the following cOncluslons-to VIII
THAT the testimony shows that the
mental condition of Rev. j. X. Sturgis at
the time he wrote the letter upon which
this investigation was based was such as
TO render him incapable OF understanding
the moral character of his act.
1--WE therefore revoke our first decision
of the case. sending it forward for trial and
recommending his suspension, and now
recommend that the case be dismissed.
"WuLIaM Z. JUDKIys, (Chairman),
JAMES @. MARTIN,
"WuLIAM II. ATwBLL,
Committee"
DUTY WE'LL DONE.
When the verdict was rendered DR.. Gar
land thanked the committee for the pa
tient and careful manner in which they had
discharged the delicate and laborious duty
devolyed upon them, and discharged them.
RESTORATION.
DIR. Garland Yesterday officially withdrew
the order of suspension and restored Rev
Mr.. Sturgis TO the pastorate OF Trinity
church.
COUNSEL.
Rev. DR.. Lambeth. counsel for the ac-
cused in this very unfortunate occurrence,
deserves great credit for the able and
earnest manner in which he managed the
whole matter and brought it to conclu-
sion which. it is hoped, will be satisfactory
TO all parties.
There IS almost universal satisfaction ex-
pressed at the settlement Of the case.
PERSONAL.
Rev. Mr.. Sturgis is still confined to his
bed and suffering from the effects OF the
mental and physical strain upon him. he
is attended by DIR. '. W. Harrison, who
hopes to have him restored to physical
health in a few weeks. Mr.. Sturgis has re-
ceived a very large number OF letters con-
tanning expressions OF sympathy ana con-
fidence from members of his and other
churches in this city and from ministers of
his own and other denominations in this
CITY and abroad. His condition is such
that he cannot answer these kind letters ut
present but wishes US to make this public
acknowledgement.
Professor j. A. Kern, of Randolph h-Macon
College, will preach at Trinity on Sunday
morning and Rev. G. G. Wertenbaker at
night.
OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION.
MIR. Sturgis yesterday morning received
the following letter:
RICHMOND, Va, January, q, 1890.
ReU. J. u. St,rgis:
Dear Brother,-The object of this letter
il to inform you officially that the rehear-
ing of YOUR case by the committee of In
yestipation on new testimony that was in
Produced resulted in verdict that makes
null and void the first verdict, and restores
you to the pastoral charge OF Trinity
church.
trust that your health may be soon re-
stored and that the blessing of the Lord
NAV ever rest on you and your family.
am very truly, j. POWELL GARLAND,
Presiding Elder.
THE LETTER.
Numerous efforts have been made by the
press to get the letter which was the cause
of all this trouble, and it was intended to
print il without using the name Of the
lady; hut those in possession of the docu-
ment thought no good purpose could be
served by complying with this wish.
IL is well known, however, that the letter
is such one as any lady might with pro-
priety read. though it contained expressions
of affection very improper to be written to
married woman by any one save her hus-
band.