The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-04-08
A SCANDALIN A CHURCH.
DIR. TUPPBR RESIGNS FROM ST.
PHILIPS AT ATLANTA.
as Resignation the Outcome of an

II s Resignation the Outcome of an
OLD Charge by His Wife That Another
Woman Had Alienated His Afiec-
tioue-A Reconciliation with Mrs,
Tupper Effected But the Preachers
influence Too Badly Weakened to
Make Him Useful to tho Church.
ATLANTA, GA, April THE vestrymen
Of ,St Philips Episcopal church have ao-
cepted the resignation OF Rev. DR.. T. c.
Tupper under peculiar circumstances. DR..
Tupper WAS called to st. Phillips parish
from Leavenworth, Kan, where he was
rector Of st. Paurs church, n nourishing
charge, In June, 1891. Previous to his &C
ceptauce Of the call 80 Atlanta st. Philips
church, which was originally tho most
fashionable place of worship in
the city, was in prosperous
condition. The church wis split asunder
BY the Armstrong scandal, which resulted
in DR.. Armstrong; trial aud suspension
from the ministry for FIVE years. DR..
Tupper had made a reputation in the west
during his ministry and the Atlanta church
settled upon him as the very man to re-
establish the former prestige Of sc. Phil
ip9, lie was unanimously called and,
after tlattering assurances as to the hand
some salary be would be given just az soon
as the parish was put on It's feet Ggsin. he
agreed TO come on a temporary salary less
than that being paid him in Leayeuworth.
SCANDALS UGLY HEAD.
Dr. Upper has ten children, the eldest
being young lady rs When he started
to Atlanta last June O year ago, ne Brought
with him all his family except his wife aud
eldest daughter Mrs. Tupper was in "A
delicate state Of health and could not vent
ure the trip just then. Dr. Tupper was In
stalled In the rectoTy on the church grounds
ana for few weeks did wonderful work
among his new pavishouars. Before his
first month was hardly out. however like
a thunderclap came the announcements that
his wife had instituted legal proceedings
against the wife of one Of
his former wealthy parlshoners
in Leavenworib. The nature
Of this proceeding was a suit for damages
on the ground that this lady had Alienated
DR.. Tupper's affections from his wife. The
story created profound sensation in the
church, but no official action was taGen eE-
cept to raise a purse to send the rector back
co Kansas to clear up the affair. DR.. Tup-
per had explained his wlfe's action by stat
lla NithV ~ was kLlo AHouAb vi GItAE AASI-
tai condition. Whom the details of the
scandal were published it was alleged by
the rector's wife that the lady against
which her suit was brought had stopped at
the rectory in Atlanta to see Dr. upper on
her way home from Florida. Other details,
even more sensational, were published.
A RECONCILIATION.
DR.. Tupper finally returned from Leaven-
worth without his wife, but some time
afterward she came on 20 Atlanta, and a
perfect reconciliation was odoe5ed, the sait
being dropped. The explanation Of the un-
fortunate affair, which was thought to be a
temporary irresponsible mental coalition
OF Mrs. Tupper, was generally accepted,
aud ihe family has been to all appearances
very happy in Atlanta. But while the
cloud which hung 30 heavily over the
new Tector'5 private lifo at first seemed TO
have been completely dispelled the effect Of
the scandal upon the church could not o
averted. The ladies of the parish we're
Obstinate in their objection TO DR.. Upper
and the congregation has been steadily do
creasing in number until now there ia little
more than q handful, not enough TO fill a
corner in the big church. Last February
forty of the best commandments left and a
meeting OK ths yestry was called TO adopt
heroic measures TO save the church from
utter dissolution. Previous 10 that time ef-
ADI - nHu BuoA A4hN0 ~ liGtAb bub JHb
rector by holding up his salary, but pr.
Tupper did not sec tit 10 take not ce o. this.
At this February meeting Of tho Vestry he
however, stated that no would leave If he
wGs not wanted longer. He desired TO finish
out his year and so continued at his work.
HIS RESIGNATION A8KED FOR.
Easter Sunday was as a thorn inthe sides
Of the vestrymen and tho Wednes lay fol-
lowing they got together and asked for the
Iectors resignation, the resignation which
he had not formally rendered uD to that
time The vestrymen state that they were
compelled to take this peremptory action
in order TO save the church from going com
plereiy to pieces. The ysstry does not be-
love Or. Tuppsr culpGble In any wav and
is very friendly toward him personally, hut
regards the affair TO which the present si5u-
alton is due, as simply "a peculiar misfortune
Dr. Tupper is himself deeply moved by tho
turn the affair has taken. Under the church
law he cannot be forced 10 resign without
the preferment Of charges and a regular
trial, but he accepts the situation as cheer
fully as be can. Bishop Nelson has ten
dered him the appointment Of archdeacon
for the Macon district, and he viii accept
this work, at least temporarily. DR.. GuU-
per and Mrs. Upper are very popular and
much sympathy is felt for them and the
family.
He performed g marriage ceremony in
Lent contrary 20 the express orders Of
Bishop Nelson, which is said to have also
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