Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-01-24
End Of the Mcfarland Case.
Pittsburg 1imeS.)


Correspondence of Pittsburg Iimes.)
FREEPoRT Pa, Jan. 21.-At meeting
of the Butler Presbytery, of the e. p
Church. held here to-day. the Rev. A. B.
C. Mcfarland, former pastor at Fairview,
Butler county. and one of the most talent
ed of United Presbyterian ministers, was
expelled from the church.
To-day's proceedings were the culmina-
ton of the domestic troubles which arose
between Mr. and Mrs. Mcfarland about
two years ago. They originated on ac-
count of alleged unseemly conduct on the
part of the young preacher and his wife.
Mrs. Mcfarland who is member OF a
well-known Allegheny family, left her
home because, as she alleged, her husband
had abused her Mr.. Mcfarland in his
pulpit the following Sunday admitted that
he had struck his wife, but claimed Justl-
tication, and intimated that her condact
had not been proper on all occasions.
\ KISS IN THE DARK.
An investigation by outsiders showed
that Mrs. McFarlands department had
been unexceptionable, unless the fact that
while out with a sleighing party of which
Mr.. Mcfarland was :. member she had kiss
ed her partner, might be charged up
against her. The inquiry also developed
the fact that Mr.. Mcfarland was man OF
violent temper and liberal drinker for a
man of the cloth. Later there was a church
investigation, which censured Mr.. and Mrs
Mcfarland, but recommended no further
action. Interest was kept alive by the
kidnapping of their children by Mrs Nc
Farland. while her husband was away from
home one day Since then Mrs. McFar-
land and the children have lived in Allie
gheny.
After the kidnapping of the children it
was thought by Mr.. McFarland's friends
nothing more would be heard OF the
tlouble, but the matter was still so gener-
ally talked about that it was on the verge
of an investigation by the Presbytery.
Then, to the surprise of many, Mr.. Nc
Farlaud resigned, giving as reason that
he wished to retire temporarily from MN
isterial work The subject nevertheless
went into the hands of a committee elect
ed from the members of the Butler Presby
terry. The Rev. j. P. Davis was made
chairman.
At the meeting of the committee and
Presbytery at New Brighton, about four
months ago, tho chairman stated that they
had found and investigated grave charges
against the minister. Final action on the
case was postponed.
A SIGN OF WHAT WAS COMING.
The meeting of the Presbytery opened
this morning at 9 o'clock, in the Second Z.
P. Church, with the Rev. J. j. Imbrie as
Moderator The first subject to come be-
fore the meeting was the selection of dele
gates to the General Assembly. OF the
four names which came in order on the
list for delegates to the General Assembly,
one was that of A. B. c. Mcfarland. This
circumstance being announced by the Sec
retarv, general hum of conversation
arose.
A member of the committee, without
rising, moved that the name of Mr. Nc
Farland be taken out of the list. The mo-
ton was Immediately seconded and it was
suggested that the name next on the list
should be substituted. A lively wrangle
followed, but it was in the meanwhile pro-
posed to send the Rev. j. j. lmbrie to the
Assembly in place of the Rev. Mcfarland.
When order was restored, the Rev. j
p Davis, Chairman of the Investigating {
Committee, arose He said he did not like
to speak on the matter, but thought it only
proper that Mr.. McFarland's name should
not be taken from the list of candidates for
the time being, as he (McFarland) had not
yet been expelled from the Presbytery. He
thought a consistent course should be fol
lowed, namely, that if the Presbytery
found cause, it should regularly expel the
Rev. Mcfarland.
AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
This was hardly done when several mem
| bers clamored for reconsideration of the
whole question and for its further consider
alton in executive session. The members
| of the Presbytery had Just discovered that
several strangers were in the room. A
gray-haired member, who appeared to
| think that the whole affair should be acted
| upon in the regular monner, saw hit to OBJ
| lect and asked the Moderator to inquire
whether the Investigating committee had
| anything in particular to report. The see
retary of the committee replied that there
i was not much more to report beyond that
which the Presbytery knew already. He
| said that a commendable effort had beer
made to further investigate the charges
against Rev. Mr.. Mcfarland. A meeting
had been held, but a majority not being
there, the rest had quietly gone home after
| considering the matter as best them might
From the speakers tone it was apparent
| that he longed for a star chamber session
| Perhaps ON this account it was that an
| other member of the committee arose and
and stated that the subject should be taken
| up only during an executive session. II
was then decided to hold such a session
| 1t opened with a report of the committee
| They gave details to number of matters
that had been brought before them in refer
ence to the case The report was discuss
ed The Rev. John S. Mckee was one OF
the principal speakers. Some of the mem
| bers thought it best to let the matter &c
on until the next meeting of Presbytery
| 1t was also suggested that additional fact;
might be brought forth by that time.
THE FINAL ACTION.
TIL: report was accepted, nevertheless
| it being argued that the matter had hung
fire long enough and that it was a refec
| ton on the Presbytery, if allowed to drag
on. The vote was unanimous. In the re
port hint has been given to the Presby
| terv to the effect that Mr.. Mcfarland was
at present employed in secular occupa
| ton. From the speeches of the member.
it was plain they did not wish to take any
steps which they could not fully cxplcir
| A motion was therefore made that The
name Of A. b. c Mcfarland be expunget
from the rolls of the Butler Presbytery, as
the above person had left ministerial work
| for secular work. The motion was
unanimously passed and the Presbytery
adjourned
The Rev. J. j. Imbrie said after the
meeting: 1--WE expelled Mr.. Mcfarland
because he has engaged himself in worldly
affairs. The matter is at an end and out OF
the hands of the Presbytery. The com
mittee has done its work and been dismiss
ed. The subject was thoroughly discussed
during the executive session"
Mr.. Mcfarland himself was not present
during any part of the meeting, but the
committee appeared to take no note of the
| fact.
This afternoon the Presbytery considered
the overtures on the tobacco question made
by the General Assembly 1t cast its vote
against tobacco for young men about to be
licensed as preachers, but declared itsel
in favor of allowing elders to use the weed