St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-09-10
LAW OF The CHURCH,
The Warner Divorce Case
Adjudicated by Plymouth
Congregation.
Deacon Warner Practically
Acquitted and His Wife Is
Censured.
Another Case Of Revolver
Suicide Without a Known
Cause.
j. j. Parker's Residence Badly
Looted by a Gang Of
Burglars

which cut so mal0dOrOuS a figure in the
courts and public press, will now prob
ably pass away and be forgotten. The
last court TO pass upon it is the eccleSi-
astical bar of Plymouth church, and
there it was formally disposed of last
night. 1t will be remembered that the
GLOBE published the fact that formal
charges had been made in the church
against both MIR. and Mrs. Warner, and
the special committee appointed to hear
the charges has had frequent and long
sessions, and covered all of the ground
gone over in due form by the civil
courts. Last night, at regular PRAYER
meeting, there was larger attendance
than usual. and, il may be added, con-
slderaDly more than the customary i'll
terest in proceedings. The committee
reported its findings, and, as has al
ready been intimated. decided for Mr..
Warner and against Mrs. Warner, add
ing the saving clause to the latter that
1t found she was of not altogether
sound mind. In the case of Mrs. War
uer the report is as follows:
Against Mrs. Warner.
To Plymouth Church: Your committee.
duly appointed to investigate the charges
preferred against Mrs. Sadie K Warner, re-
specially report to the church, That they
have diligently and earnestly investigated
SAID charges. That they have held more
than twenty sessions. covering period of
more than forty hours. BY request of the
committee. Mrs. j. Fletcher Williams and
Mrs. 5. A. Wellington have sat with the com
mittee as advisory members and join in this
report. The testimony taken is very YOlumi-
nous, and is the result of long and patient
work by the committee. In considering this
evidence, your, committee have constantly
borne in mind their duty to God and this
church. and have given IL much careful and
prayertul consideration. that exact Justice
might be done. After such consideration,
your committee has unanimously agreed
upon the following statement of facts
Ffrst-Upon the first charge: That Mrs.
Sadie X. Warner left her husband and her
family and commenced an action for divorce
without justihable cause, and in violation OF
her solemn contract that she would submit
any troubles that might arise between herself
and her husband TO arbitration and never
commence another action for divorce except
for criminal conduct on the part of her hus-
band.
second-Upon the second charge: That
Mrs. Sadie X. Warner did not refuse the me-
diation of the church, as the same was never
rendered her; but she did not seek the medi-
alton of the church. and ignoring the advice
of heI pastor and friends to settle her
troubles by arbitration, she sought a separa.
ton in the most public manner possible and
has thereby scandaltzed her family and the
church.
Third-Upon the third charge: That Mrs.
Warner, both IN court and before this COM
mittee, made statements which were contrary
to the fact.
Fourth-In reference TO the fourth charge:
Your committee consider that IL has been
sufficiently covered by the previous findings.
Your committee further report that as this
investigation proceeded they became much
Impressed with certain mental peculiarities
of Mrs. Warner, which led them to seriously
doubt her mental soundness Believing 1t
their duty 10 satisfy themselves in this par
tcular they sought medical and expert testi-
mony. and, guided by this and her actions
before the committee. they were led to the
unanimous opinion that Mrs. Warner is and
has been for several years of unsOund mind.
and that this unsoundness is such as to throw
serious doubt upon her moral responsibility.
As result of this. they believe that she is
not 1t subject of church discipline, but
recommend that she be treated by the church
with that Christian charity and forDearance
which is due the unfortunate
;. > CROOKS, RICHARD HART,
H. II. HAIRS G., G. SANBoRN
W. A. GATES. j. ID. humphrey.
J: WATSON SMITH, Mrs. S. A WELIIXG-
MRS. D. +, WILLIAMS, TOM Committee.
Mr.. Warner Acquitted.
The finding in the case of Mr.. War
ner was virtually full acquittal. The
report says:
To Plymouth church: Your committee.
hppOiultu 10 investigate the charge preferred
before the church against Deacon Lucien
Warner of cruel and inhuman treatment to-
ward his wife. respectfully report as follows:
That they have taken all the testimony
bearing upon the matter which they could
obtain, and have considered it with the same
laborious care that has characterized all the
work of the committee, having the assist
ance and advice OF Mrs. j. Fletcher Williams
and Mrs; 5. a. Wellington, advisory mem
bers II has been their aim, seeking divine
guidance. to get the exact facts, conserve
the best interests of the church, secure the
spiritual welfare of both parties and reach Il
just conclusion.
Your committee unanimously fluids that
the charge that Mr.. Warner has been guilty
of cruel and inhuman treatment toward his
wife Is not sustained.
We have found that Mr.. Warmers treat
ment of his wife has notat all times been the
wlsest. THAT he has not always exercised
that charity and forbearance hich her con-
dition demanded. and has held her to the
same accountability to which she should
have been held if I'm full possession of herfac-
ulties. That under great provocation Mr.
Warner has used violence towards his.wife
which cannot be justified. Mr. Warner adj
struck Mrs Warner with cane and that on
aeyeral occasions he struck her with
his hand. While your committee can
not justify these acts. yet the prov
great measure excuse Mr.. Warmers acts and
they believe that had Mr.. Warner realized
Mrs. Warmers true mental condition his ac-
tons toward her would have been different.
In the main. Mr. Warner has exercised great
patience and forbearance under aggravating
trials extending through period of nearly
five years, and TBS, committee doubt # any OF
the ould under similar circumstances,
ha0 me better; and, recognizing the tend
ency of all persons TO err, your committee
recommend that Mr. Warmers mistakes be
viewed with Christian charity, and he be re-
tanned in the confidence and esteem of the
church.
This report bears the same signatures
as the first one. Both reports were
unanimously adopted by the church,
and sic transit the celebrated case.