The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-01
DIR. ELLIS ON TRIAL.
Ecclesiastical Prosecution of the
Clergyman.
His Alleged Unclerical Conduct : Prinoely
Salary Paid to Rev. W. Il. Mcfarland
by Franklin-Street Church.

A special meeting of the San Francisco
Presbytery, sitting as an ecclesiastical
court, was held in Calvary Church yester-
day morning, to hear the evidence in the
case of Rev. John w. Ellis. DID. acting
pastor Of the Central Presbyterian Taber-,
nacls.
Three charges are preferred against DR..
Ellis. who is accused of Misrepresentation of
church funds, perjury and deceit. The
first charge includes the alleged embeZzle-
ment Of 1888 80 entrusted to him for con-
gresational disbursement, of applying to his
own use $780, intended as a gift to the
church. and OF raising the amounts OF vari-
Gus expense bills The second charge con-
siSts of denial of his own signature ia JUS
tice Gray's court 10 note given to Thomas
Magee and by him Endorsed over to G. b.
Van Dyke. Judgment in the case was
entered against tile defendant. DR.. Ellis
specifically denies every charge, and pro-
tests his innocence of even the intent of
wrong-doing.
WANTS HIS BACK SALARY.
Rev. H. II. Rice suggested that the Pres
| bytery first listen to statement from Rev.
w. Ii. Mcfarland, pastor of Franklin-street
| Church, who was absent from the delbera-
| tons of the previous day, in regard to the
| dissolution of his pastoral relations. Mi.
| Mcfarland said that he had been surprised
| to learn of the action of the commissioners
| from his congregation and of their state
mentS when they appeared before the Pres
| bytery. He thought his flock desired a con-
| tinuatlon OF his services, and III any case he
did not.wish dissolution of their mutual
| relations until lie received the arrears of his
salary. During the past eight months the
| Trustees had paid him but $50 per month,
| and lie was himself the chief contributor to
the srhemes Of the church. In speaking OF
| the Trustees, Mr.. Mcfarland said that their
sense of shame should have prevented their
statements to the Presbytery. Had they
worked up the church finances properly and
| CO. operated with the pastor, the cOngrega-
ton would be in a 1ourishing condition.
In conclusion the reverend gentleman said
| that he never felt better or happier in his
| life, and that he was in prime condition for
| clerical work. On motion OF Rev. DR..
| Shaw, the matter was allowed to remain on
| the docket
NOT READY FOR TRIAL
"Now," said the Moderator, amid a hush
of expectation, ''the time has arrived for a
| consideration of the charges to be preferred
against a member of this presbytery." He
then quoted several sections in the Book of
Discipline, and explained that every mem-
Der Of the court must be present at each ses-
sion, otherwise they could not be permitted
to take part in the adjudication.
DR.. Ellis. who had sat calm and dignifed
during the opening exercises, said that IN
Difference to the wishes of his friends, al
though against his own Judgment, lie de-
| sired TO ask a continuance of at least one
day for the purpose of completing his prepa-
rations for the defense, particularly in re-
gard to his witnesses The accused clergy
man, who is fine looking man, of military
bearing, spoke easily and well, and his re-
quest was Endorsed by Rev. A. J. Kerr, who
is acting as prosecuting attorney, by Rev.
DR.. EastUD, Rev. II. II. Rice and Rev. j.
Q. Adams, the latter stating that he seri.
ously doubted the wisdom of proceeding so
quickly, in consideration of the interests
both of the prosecution and of the defense.
THE WITNESSES WANTED.
Rev. Mr.. Kerr asked that the following
witnesses be snbpenaed For Specification
|. Rev. +. E. Shearer, DID, Hugh Fraser,
Rev. A. J. Kerr, Trustees of Central Taber-
nacle, with their records; for Specification
II, II. n Gray, j, p. Fraser; for Speciica-
ton Ill, Detectives Richard Bee and Harper
of the City Police Department. and Richard
Dec Royden of San Quentin.
On m0ti0a of Rev. DR.. Shearer the courI
adjourned until Monday afternoon at
o'clock. Thereafter daily sessions win be
held from 10 o'clock in the morning to II
and from . until o'clock in the afternoon
until the conclusion OF the trial.