The herald., 1893-06-30

literal confession of the alleged acts, but,
as you observe, he got around thens."
When toe rumors first began to spread
Mr.. G. H. Owen OF East Pico street, and
prominent elder in Rev. Wight's
church, proceeded to investigate them,
and with what result will be eeen later.
Finally on last Sunday evening the
elders and deacons of Rev. Wight's
church held meeting, at which he was
present. Here IL was suggested by one
of them that in view OF the unpleasant
rumors circulating in regard to Rev.
Wight, his resignation would not be out
of place. He promptly produced it. In
this action the elders and deacoEs voted
unanimously to receive it.
And now came the rub. On the fol-
lowing evening Sunday after the serv-
ice the matter of accepting the resigna-
tion WAS presented to the body of the
congregation for their approval or rejec-
tion. It was not accepted, the congre-
cation thus repudiating the action OF
the board.
There seems to be much dissatisfac.
ton over this action. A member of the
church and who was present at the
meeting gave the following version of
the affair to Herald reporter last
night:
"There were present should judge
about rs members of the church. Rev.
Wight was in an adjoining room en-
gagged in a baptislam service. Finally
Mr.. Bird, an elder of the church, arose
and delivered an address very laudatory
of Rev. Wight. Mr.. Bird said they
could not permit their pastor to go, for
what would they do without him. Mr..
Bird got warmed up and at last began to
sob. The women soon followed suit.
Mr.. Bird then moved that the resigna-
tion of Rev. Wight be refused. Those
who favored this motion were
asked to rise. Whereupon about 30
persons, principally women, arose. The
majority of the congregation remained
seated. The other side of the question
was not put to q vote, and 80 it was
given as the will of the congregation
thai Rev. Wight be continued as the
shepherd of the flock. Mr.. Bird also
moved that letter be given him saying
that the rumors were unfounded.
zone of the elders afterwards stated
positively to me that he would not agree
to issuing that letter, and that a ma
jority of tho board believed with him."
A certain member of the church told
the reporter that Mr.. Owen had investi-
gated number of the rumors and
found them to be true and felt greatly
incenaed against Rev. Wight.
The reporter called upon Mr.. Owen
Wednesday evening. and asked that
gentleman as to the nature Of the
charges against Rev. Wight.
Mr.. Owen refused positively to dis
close anything and declined to answer
nearly every question put to him. OF
all persons in the church Mr.. Owen is
the one who has cause and the right to
feel unkindly against the erring pastor.
Mr.. Owen was questioned closely upon
all points, and generally took refuge in
declining to answer. However, by his
repeated refusals and what he did ad-
NIT, he went to show that he believed
the rumors which he had investigated.
He acknowledged, however, that he had
charged Rev. Wight with having COM
mitted some of the acts but would not
say what, and that Rev. Wight had
confessed and asked to be forgiven. ''As
he showed repentance" continued Mr..
Owen, 81 forgave him and did not press
anything against him."
"Knowing OF the insult that he offered
your family, how could you forgive
him?"
"Welll believe that when one is
sorry for what he has done, and confesses
and asks to be forgiven that should do
it. In my heart have forgiven every
thing and feel no animoaity towards
him."
"Do you believe him guilty?"
ga man would hardly confess and ask
for forgiveness unless he had done some
thing. He said he was sorry if he had
done anything and wanted to be for
given"
''Are you going to investigate any
moro of the cases against him ?"
II decline to say. Events will prove
what | will do"
"Did Rev. Wight deny the allegations
against him at the evangelizing meet
ing?"
Yes; he did in certain way"
"What was that way ?'
"Well! l can't exactly say. l de-
cline to answer that question"
Mr.. Owen, however, has spoken quito
freely to other elders in regard to his
Investigations and his opinions. One of
these gentlemen was seen at his resi-
dence last evening by a HERALD re-
porter. -
"There are seven cases." he said,
"that Mr.. Owen has investigated. He
did not give me all OF the names. but
related the circumstances. The worst
one is about Rev. Wight catching hold
of the young woman's leg. The other
ones are about his attempting to hug
certain other women. One Of the
women he clasped to his bosom and
rubbed his cheek against her face. The
other charges are similar in character to
these"
"Does Mr.. Owen know that they are
true?"
"Yes; and he has investigated each
of them. He has also stated that be
would not worship In any church where
Rev. Wight preached.
"Mr. Owen also told me that Rev.
Wight seemed inclined TO deny the truth
OF his attempted familiarity with the
girl. Mr.. Owen Immediately brought
the young woman before Rev. Wight,
and she charged him with having com
mitted the act complained of and max
ing the alleged remarks. Rev. Wight
at that time, 80 Mr.. Owen states, CON
fessed having committed the deed and
asked for forgiveness.
"In regard to the meeting of the Evan
gelizing association Rev. Wight attempt
ed to explain the different charges. HI
ia the most remarkable man in thii
reepect of whom know. 1t is as Mr.
Owens said; you can go to him believing
him guilty, and he will talk around yor