The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1890-02-18
BOGUS CREDENTIALS.
The Names of Two Bishops
Forged and a RectorShip Sc
cured.

Indianapolis, Ind, Feb. 13.-T. j
George, who figured in Epi.coDsI minister
ial circles of this city, aud more recently
served ar rector of { eCJnnersville church
OF that denomination, il is stated, has pos.
session of credentials to which he is not
entitled. He came to this country from
England last May, bearing VIII ,t purpor,ed
To be letters of ordination from the bishops
of Gloucester aud Bristol. He FIRST went
TO Boston, where he did some minis
;eiial work, and was called to ia diocese
last October by Bishop KnIckerbscker,
Who had selected him for the rectorship of
The Gainesville church. That congrega-
iiLn not being In need Of a rector im
mediately, he remained in this city about a
month, during which time he filled the
pulpit If Grace Cathedral, In the absence
Of Rev. George E. S~sn, the rector, who
Sss In attendance upon the general con-
yention OF the church. Upon Rev. Mr.
Sw-n's return, George was sent to Con-
neIsyille by Bishop Knickerbacker and
regularly installed as r.cIor of Ih ( church.
Meantime The bishop communicated with
the bishops of Gloucester and Bristol re-
gardlng George, and the Information re-
ceIved vas some whst startling. The let.
tiers carried by George were the bishop.
correspondent sta'ed, forgeries. and thrv
further wrote that he had never been or
dained by an English dioce,e, as he repre-
srnted. One Thomas George had been so
Ordsined, but the date of such ordination
did not correspond with that of Georges
alleged credentials, and the name WIS not
the same. These facts we're ascertained by
Bishop Kpick-rbacker only recently,
ihOugh George has been in charge of the
Connersville church tor several months.
The bishop at once notified member IF
the Conn, r>ville concres alton and George
will be relieved of his rectorate.
The Episcopal clergymen of this city do
not hesitate To express their belief that
George forged his letters of ordination.
They think that he had cognizince Of the
ordination of the Rev. Thomas George re-
ferred TO, and that il was his intention to
personate him. They vert not favorably
impressed with his conduct while in this
city, saying that he was not ministerial in
his department and preaching, hut was
given TO what they term "rantiug" In the
pulpit, and that he was fliPpant in his man
ners and b, havior. He claimed TO be a
graduate of Oxford, but the ministers here
say that he did not impress them as being
an educated man. il is stated that
no action can be taken against him here
further than to deprive him Ct his surplus
letters of ordination, which Bishop Knick-
erbacker retained when George went to
Connersville and which will not be re.
turned to him. He might be prosecuted,
the ciergymen say. for obtaining money by
false pretense, but il is not thought that
this will be done. If ne forged the letters,
rs is supposed, he cannot be convicted in
this country, as the offense was perpetrsted
in England. George is not charged with
immoral conduct of any nature, his whole
offense as far a. now known having been
In connection with his credentials. The
past history OF the man Is unknown but
will be Investigated.