The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-30
WAS MIR. JENNINGS DRUNK?
INvES TIGA7ING TIE RECTOR OF 4
UESTIIELD tHtRCH

One OF His Flock Said that the Dominic Had
Hired Room In His House to steep on
Debauch-He May he Placed ON Trial.
westf,eld is not the most pruiish town in
New Jersey. 1t countenances church socia-
bles. amateur theatricals. and m athletic club.
Westilsld has been coming to tho conclusion
for the past two years. however. that it could
not countenanco its Episcopal minis, or. the
Rev. J. b. Jennings.
Tw years is Just the length of time that lie
has been reading the service and preaching
sermons In Grace Church. His record entered
Westf1eld with him. Gossip circulates rapidly
in town OF that size and the same ladies' OF tho
Episcopal congregation who said What
lovely man" and 80 handsome when the
Rev. Mr.. Jennings dawned on Westncld, heard
OF his record at Sag Harbor. Tarrytown. and
Crawford. and before his first year was fin
ished they began crusade against him.
Last night. in his own church. the Rev. Mr..
Jennings was placed on his defense before
Commission appointed by the Right Rcv.
Bishop Scarborough. and consisting OF Dean
Rodman and the Rev. Mr. Taylor of Plainneld.
and the Row. H. H. Obery of Elizabeth.
This commission began its work on Dec. Is.
and it was appointed at tho request OF Mr.
JennnGss rarishioners. 1t completed its
work last night. and it is confidently believed
in Wcstncld that the Rev. Mr. Jennings will bo
placed on trial before the standing committee
Drunkenness md lying are the charges that
is " another on. tia, Is Intel at Mr.: Jennings
saYs that tnes" charges :, " r. part OF con-
'' Ths Rev /" .' Mr. Ma!eoIm q I.see and tho
hey + Logan Marnhy ct 1lainr "ie "ns%
which consisted simply Of general denial OF
tho charges aud the evidence oi two or three.
witnesses who testified that he was man OF
SH .TmhG" @J J. l. Green represented the mom crs
and to sabatantiate the charses he produced
hall dozen witnesses.
The inquiry was held behind closed doors.
aud only the commandments ~ tho cliurch
we're admitted. 1t was. however: the LARGEST
audience that has gathered in Glnce Church
MANY Of the ladies' Of tho congregation were
present and scverS! o; them were .alISd as
Hnii dozen llttlc schemes wer" tried ly non
commandments to obtain admission. but they
The Krv. Mr.. Jennings has hal trouble with
other congregations. 1t j. asserted TINT ho
was forced TO leav" SnE ilarn": Iar'y.oSwn;
When his wife jennie brought suit Tor di,
him with drunkenness and cruel treatment.
She said that he had ruwn.h her wedding
In her affidavit she sai,i that she had foun,!
him without homer. without conscience and
without religion. The Court Erm,tr'l Il divorce.
and Jennings WAS ordered to pay her - u
week alItnony.
He paid no .ttcntion to 'hs order, and when
last fall to show cause why he should not Q
punished for contempt q court; he ,e,Xplaine.!
''t IN sH Sss srsu IND Was asaniis of CON
fleld with this record behind him. and he
stayed there despite the vigorous protests OF
may Hs was never 20 reuua and he re-
fused to leave. although urged to do SO on the
nss he lit the o
lions ions have fallen so low that il Mr.; JenninE.
is about 80 years old. tall strongly built. and
wears Il blond moustache
His fnco is norid and he wears n sill; hat
tilted to ono 81" AMI snn";"- 81 rar"tte>.
TESTIFIED that the rector la been drunk at his
house FOR several days ~, - tim";
engaged i.s tn s' iron him for The purpose II
si"crins OH a drunk An unteceirl"d Hill
Tor s'2 for liquors. which sexton h"n'"r had
found in the vestry room. was discussed.
Druggist GeorG" 4. BaynrI from whom this
liquor was purchased. went South week ago.
His clerk says that the bin was much SMALLER.
for Mr.. Jennings sick s";SerrHr ,,,. ,m
was only $40 and that it was PRINCIPALLY for
medcine. !; c. Swan rather weakened pr,
TOOK With shs or o slHs o'' ''
The Rev Mr.. Jennings's name came M. and
IN nras"S o 70 Mr. sw 1nesI pr n"p"es
was not seriously sick. but was simply getting:
over y big drunk.
several o. tho witnesses told of Mr. Jen-
ningss u-..~ nate habit OF telling rontradic-
tory stories. ,neo rinion OF tho townsreopio
the rector was very gay" und not avers1 to
drinking
In answer to these charges Mr.. jennings
brought forward several witnesses WHO trsii-
fed that his character was good. Ito made n
general denial OF oil the charges. and attempt
ed no explanations.
The committee finished It's work at 10
o'clock ana It is expected that it will make u
report to the bishop next week. The Rev. Mr..
Jennings came down to the depot to see the
clergymen who have conducted his defence
HIVE you got anything to say in answer to
these charges ?" asked THE SrS reporter.
Mr. Jennings took his cigarette from be-
tween his teeth and replied: NO. sir. ]
haven't. Ny day will come Then | will tell
my story Tho case is now in tho hands OF
the com m ission"
The Elana Stniueras ri