The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1892-08-31
CLARK PIERsON. Edstor.
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL TICKET.
ST. ANDREWS onuRoH.


We have taken pleasure, during the
past few years, In making frequent record
Of the upward progress Of this now -four
ishiDg parish, especially as 1t regarded the
untiring and successful efforts Of its pas
tor and people to purchase rectory, and
later, to build new and beautiful church
10 place OF the one destroyed by fire.
Recent occurrences of an uncomforta-
BILE nature threatened for little while to
bring cloud over the parish; but II is
already evident that this trial of their
faith has only increased their courage and
zeal in the good work to which they are
eommitted-God's service and the extern
sion OF His religion. The time has come
when we are in position to give correct
statement of the facts, which newspapers
in New York and other cities have re-
ported inaccurately and with various ex-
aggerai;cns.
About the middle OF June, Bishop Scar
borough received letter from one Will
liam Radcliffe, saying that the writer had
just come to America for a few months
on private business; that he was man
Of thirty-cight years Of age, Priest In
English orders, and would like to have
temporary work In vacant parish. His
letters OF orders were Enthusiastically gen
uine, and the Bishop gave him license
to oficiaie 10 the Diocese for six months,
and told him that the Rector OF st. An
drew's, Lambertville, was on the look out
for a substitute, that he might take
months vacation. After some correspon
dence, Mr.. Smith engaged him for that
rooms 10 the rectory. His public minis
trations proved very acceptable. and his
sermons were considered remarkable spe-
cimens of pulpit eloquence.
Wardens and congregation then united
In the generous request that the rector
should prolong his vacation for fort
night, while they arranged with Mr.. Rad
cliffe for two weeks OF additional service.
On the day after his fourth Sunday, how
ever, he left town, ostensibly for day or
two, but with real purpose not to come
back. The reason why, appeared within
week. He had played the confidence
game" with good success, at two business
houses 10 Philadelphia, realizing several
hundred dollars on an English check,
probably worthless. He had obtained
articles from six or seven Lamberiville
stores, on false representations, and mol
paid for them. Exposure and punish,
and his attendant English .svaletn went tc
parts unknown. The losses Of our trades
people have been made good.
The depravity Of the unworthy intruder
appears darker, as one considers his un.
doubted talents aud the elevation from
which no has fallen. II is pretty well as
certained that he was degraded from the
ministry years ago by his English Bishop,
and that he belongs TO an excellent family
from which his course OF evil living has
cui him of, although hesrt-broker
mother, 1t Is said, still makes provision
for his maintenance. About eight years
ago he pursued, In New York parish, {
course OF trickery and fraud similar Il
that practiced here. Escaping from lh'
country then, he has only now re. appeared
for the execution OF this Summers out
rage.
By the laws OF the Episcopal Church
when clergyman is deposed, his Bishol
notifies the fact to all his fellow bishop
OF the country. This was done, no doubt
as far as the English bishops are concern
ed, when Mr.. Radcliffe was degraded
but his letters Of orders could not be for
chilly taken from him, although The pre-
sumption was that be wonld never ven
ture TO use them. Had he belonged I,
the American Church, or been deposed Ii
this country, be could not have thus i'm
posed himself upon any American bishop
or rector.
The Bishop Of New Jersey will now
publish him in the church papers. VIZ
add, to the Bishops, our editorial warn
ing and counsel-Be,0are of SHE Req,
William Radcli6e."