The herald., 1893-10-26
THAT ELLIS CASE IS CLOSED,
A Simple Rebuke the Measure
of the Synod's Displeasure.
There Will Be No Appeal from This
Last Decision.
The Preacher Permitted to Perform
Ministerial Functions-A Dramatic
Scene Terminates the Sy-
mods Session.

/
The most dramatic incident OF the
session of the Presbyterian synod was al
the final meeting in the First Presbyte-
rian church this evening, SAYS the Oak
land correspondent of the San Francisco
Examiner OF Tuesday, when the judicial
commission reported it's Judgment in the
case OF DR.. j. w. Ellis.
For over two years this case has stirred
the Presbyterians OF the state, but most
particularly of San Francisco. Two
years ago, when DIR. Ellis was tempo
rary pastor of the Central Tabernacle of
San Francisco, he was accused of missp-
propriating church funds to the amount
of 5000 and applying them to his own
uses. He was tried by the San Francisco
presbytery, found guilty and sentenced
to rebuke. The eentence was carried
out, and DR.. Ellis brought the matter
into the civil courts by suing the pres
bytery for 500, 900, and alleging in his
complaint that the body tried and con-
victed him on charges which it knew to
be false, and he characterized the con-
duct as malicious and villainous."
Because OF this action he was again tried
by the presbytery on charge OF un-
ministerial conduct.
He was convicted and was sentenced
to Suspension from the performance OF
all ministerial functions. DR.. Ellis APP
pealed to the synod, and at this session
a commission, consisting OF ak minis
ters and an equal number OF elders, was
appointed to hear his case.
READING THE JUDGMENT.
The trial has been most secretly con-
Quoted, and no intimation of the deci-
sion, which was reached this evening,
got abroad until it was read before the
synod by the chairman of the commits
sion, Rev. DR.. Hartley. The commits
sion confirmed the Judgment OF the
Presbytery in that DR.. Ellis was guilty
of the charge, but modified the sentence
of that tribunal to mere rebuke.
DR.. F. Z. Sheerer, who has acted as
prosecutor in behalf of the Presbyterian
church of the United States, gave
notice OF an appeal to the general assem-
bly, on the ground that the sentence was
insufficient.
DIR. Ellis, tall, gray and erect arose
from bench on the right Of the church.
and taking a position in front OF the
pulpit, half facing the moderator and
the members of the synod, said:
"Mr. Moderator, am | to understand
that the sentence of the lower court is
set aside and the modified sentence OF
this synod will stsnd?"
The moderator replied in the affirm
ative, and DIR. Ellis continued:
Then, MIR. Moderator, give notice
OF appeal to the general assembly, be-
cauee the sentence is too severe"
For some minutes no one spoke and
then DR.. Noble, OF San Rafael spoke in
a manner that caused the gray heads
around him to bend down one by one
while the tears rolled down theil
! cheeks.
PLEA FOR PEACE.
DR.. Noble begun by pleading that
"for the sake OF peace and Christian
love-" both appeals be withdrawn. He
recited all that DR.. Ellis had done fol
Christianity and pleaded that all within
the hearing OF bis voice would remem-
Der only what good he had done and
forget what he might have done in an
illguarded moment. ~ ask this in
OuIlEblan lONe. IoL tue OlNluc spun VI
the Holy Ghost descend into the hearts
this night, my brothers. and let US love
and forget ana forgive"
Again DIR. Ellis stepped before the
moderator, and.this time his eyes were
sufused with tears. He spoke slowly
and distinctly, with long pauses after
each sentence:
81 arise before you firstly to withdraw
hnr ri
ping OF hands, and some of the gray.
haired men shouted their appreciation.
The scene bcame wildly demonstrative
could continue.
Secondly, have come before you tc
Withdraw from you forever. No more
penitence. Never! | stand alone for
nv family and my name" A hush fell
over the assemblage, and once again gray
heads were Dent low.
IF all this matter. can be dropped
here and now forever, il the Presbytery
of San Francisco will forego the rebuke,
| am ready to stay with you all. l wait
for an answer. wait for reply before
| speak the final word"
As DR.. Ellis resumed his seat DR..
Breck said:
"Until tonight | have not seen DR..
Ellis in dozen years. He was then in
Pasadena, and l can never forget how he
and his family treated my wife and me
when we were both entirely broken
down in health and spirit. We are ali
too apt to remember the last and to for
get all that has gone before"
THE PROSECUTION wITHDRAws.
Then DIR. F. f. Sheerer, who was ap
pointed to prosecute DR.. Ellis, took a
position in front OF the latter and said
"a spirit OF love seems to pervade all,
and here and now withdraw my appeal
and hope that you all accept the jndg-
ment OF this synod as FINAL"
A meeting OF the San Francisco Pres.
bytery was i'm mediately called and con-
vened in the PASTORS study to admin
lister the rebuke. While they were alb
sent from the church the synod resolved
itself into a prayer-meeting. AS the
Presbytery filed into the church the
doxology was sung and then DR.. Minton,
moderator of the Presbytery, said:
1--WE have met as the synod directed.
The rebuke was administered in a spirit