Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-04-30
NEW CASTLE pREsBYrERr.
Concluding Session ON Friday--The Rev
j. X. CambeiI Declared Guilty.


DELAWARE CITY, April 22-The
celebrated Campbell divorce case, was
New Castle Presbytery. Mr.. Campbell
was defended by the Rev. John Squires,
ID. D., of Port Deposit. The Rev. Mr..
Swartz of Central Church, Wilmington,
and the Rev. Mr.. Malone of Newark for
the prosecution. Sidney Wilson was the
first witness called, being the attorney
| who obtained the divorce. BY him the
defense proved that the divorce was in
regular form and legally granted.
After considerable and bitter debate
the wife's testimony was admitted as
evidence. Much OF it is unfit for publ
cation. A number of letters were read,
written by Mr.. Campbell to various per-
sons bearing on the case.
A more important case was never
before the presbytery, as it involves re-
ligious principles which will affect the
entire Presbyterian church. The pres
ent wife Of Mr.. Campbell is lowering
between life and death at his home in
Snow Hill. Her position is Il delicate
one, and she keenly feels how the action
Of the presbytery and its decision may
affect her,
DELAWARE Cry, April 2s.-After the
usual routine business of the presbytery
this morning the session resumed its CON
sideration OF the Campbell ease. The
testimony of a lady opened the proceed
ings with the reading of some letters, those
from the accused pastor to his wife eN
pressing very cordial relations between
the two few years anterior to the
divorce.
An affidavit from b. b. Comcgys of
Philadelphia, was received, but was not
admitted as evidence. lie wrote that he
would be unable to appear and testify.
Mrs. Campbell has not vet arrived but is
expected this afternoon.
1t is probable that the case will be prose
cuted and finished by clock this after
noon, when the defence will begin, and it
is probable decision will be reached to-
night
1t is said the defendant has n remarkably
strong case and cannot fail to win.
New Castle Presbytery, which has been
in session at Delaware City for several
days, adjourned on Friday afternoon, after
| rendering a verdict OF guilty in the case
against the Rev. j. Il. Campbell, accused
Of unchristian and lmministerial conduct
in having secured Q divorce from his Wife,
Mrs. Mary A. Campbell, upon other
grounds than those Allowed by scripture
and the church and Of having married
| alter having been divorced thus.
At the morning session the Rev. w. r.
| Swartz, the prosecuting attorney, intro
| dueed new documentary evidence, consist
| ing of Il letter from b. b. Comegys of Phil
adelphia, certifying TO the good character
and amability of Mrs. Mary A. Campbell.
| The evidence was objected to by the Rev.
| Ill. l., Blnstcin The moderator ruled
nm
| appealed from the decision, but the court
sustained the ruling. Mr.. Bunstein gave
notice OF complaint To synod against the
| admission of the letter as evidence.
| Argument Of counsel for the prosecution
and defence followed and continued until
noon, when recess was taken and luncheon
| was served i'll the church. During recess
! addresses thanking the congregation for its
4 hospitality were delivered by the Rev. DR..
Lafayette Marks and the Rev. John
| Squiers, and response was made by the
| Rev. Robert Mel1wan Bell.
Al O'Clock the Prcsbytery met in secret
\ session. Five ballots were taken, resulting
in sustaining the two charges as preferred,
| rejecting two of the three specifications
| Forty-seven votes We're polled |, sustain
| ing the first charge, in vote Of 80 to II.
| The second charge was sustained by a vote
| of % to 10.
A committee of three, consisting Of the
| Rev. Or. Osmond, the Rev. A. N, Keigwin
and the Rev. Mr.. Regart was appointed
70 formulate the Judgment Of the court.
| The committee reported in about half an
hour, bringing two reports. A majority
report signed by the Rev. Messl Keigwin
and Riegart, deposed the defendant, and
| minority report by the Rev. DIR. Osmond
recommended his suspension. The ma
| jority report was adopted by a vote Of 81 to
20. Counsel for the defense gave notice of
an appeal to the synod Of Baltimore. a
motion was adopted suspending the de-
1 PENDANT from the exercise Of ministerial
function pending the appeal.
The presbytery adjourned to meet in
/ Rodney Street Church on May llth