New-York tribune., 1893-12-22
CONDEMNED BY MINISTER'S.
JOHN Y. M'KANE DECLARED UNFIT FOR
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.
4 GENERAL DESIRE AMONG MINISTERS To EX-
PEI THE GRAvEsEND CoNsPIRAToE FROM
TIL METNOpIST DENOMIN A1I0N.

THE METHODIST DENOMINATION.
John Y. McKane's outrageous conspiracy TO de-
fraud the citizens Of Gravesend OF their rights at
the ballot-box and his sentence for contempt or
Court by Judge Barnard. Of the Supreme Court,
we're brought to the attention Of several prominent
Methodist Episcopal ministers by Tribune
reporter the other day. Among them was
the Presiding Elder OF the NewYork East Con-
ference. in which is the church Of whose Sunday
school McKane is superintendent The reporter
wished 10 learr II charges would be brought against
McKane TO procure his expulsion from the Church
as q person unfit to be enrolled among It's men,
bers.
The Rev DR.. Ensign NcChesney. pastor or the
Madison Avenue Methodist Church. first seen.
He had read the published reports Of the proceed
ings against McKane. and to Judge from them he
said he believed him to be guilty Of offences which
made him unfit for fellowship In the Church. He
thought charges ought to he made. Any member
of any Methodist Church could make them, but IT
would be best that they be made by some one in
the East Conference. lie added. which includes all
the churches IN this city east Of Thlr1-ave. and
those of Long Island and n part Of Connecticut.
He would not like to make them himself. because
McKane's church was not in his conference. and it
might be said that ha was Spelling for fight"
lie said that action was obviously necessary and
charges would most certainly he made by some one.
M'KANE 4 BAD MAN.
The Rev. Dr. James NJ King General Secretary
OF the National League for the Protection OF Amer
can Institutions. No. ! Mndson-avc. said: ITO
Judge from what have read should say that Nc
Kane is n very bad man nnd totally unfit FOR Church
fellowship. He ought. unques,ionably be dis
ciplined But II has been held In our Church that
charges against one Of it's members against whom
civil or criminal proceedings pending ought not
to be tried by an ecclesiastical court before they
have been adjudicatcl in the civil court. the
ground that each process would b. preulical 10 the
other. II stands to that Mc<ane is guilty
Of offences wholly inconsistent with Christian
character. for no man could suddenly become so
bad he 10 be from all accounts. We shall
soon know McKane's real character, both from the
civil and ecclesiastical point Of view. Let the pub
lie have little patience with the Church In ito
administration OF discipline. the Church has
certainly had occasion to exercise patience with
the civil and criminal administration Of Justice"
Tho Rev. Dr. j. Wesley Johnston. pastor Of ST.
Johns Methodist Episcopal Church. Bedfor1-avc.
and Wilson-st. Brooklyn who. with the Rev. DR..
William Whoatley. OF Irvng'on. constituted n COM
mittee of two appointed 10y tho Ncw-York Preachers
Meeting. TO inquire into McKnnc's connection with
prze-fghting said: "To put ii In the mdest form,
McKane has done things which We. n Church
strongly condemn and exceedingly regret. Any
thing that touches tho ballot IS high treason. Every
voter must be protected We are all unanimous
that. Probably action Will he taken until Nc
Kane shall have been tried by the courts. But the
time will come when charges VIII be preferred
against HIN. and no matter II the GraVcs"nl church
should be absolutely wiped out and its members
compelled 10 seek fellowship with other churches
and matter what IT costs. Will that Justice
IS done. II John Y McKane is looking for justice
grind slowly. but they grind exceeding small you
know the rest. ana that's what John y Mckans
Will get In due time"
MAKING SEARCHING INvusTIGATIoY.
Tho Rev. Dr. C. s. Wing. Presiding Elder Of the
Eas, Conference a; his rome. No %
Hanson Place. brooklyn. He said that his place
would prev ut HIN from talking for publication
In response 10 many questions. 10 which he cour-
tsously listened. nc said however:
Il nave beeD and s'lil am making an nvesti-
cation which is my duty To DO. as the Presiding
Elder has charge Of the discipline of The churches
IN his Conference. In regard To ~" contempt Of
court. / think that Is only matter OF court
discipline. McKane sw"ars positively that he had
no intention TO d:sobey the courts order. Hnl |
am inclined 20 give him the benefit OF any doubt
As TO tho charge that McKanc IL the principal
owner OF building in which prizo-hghng Is
carrel on have coy Of the i4se sbi 2t 'nat may
bndns ana It psoyd.g t ny 'ng r nU n
awful purpo'c McKane denies an knowledge
n'' It has s"' been nv Violated that would s@em to be
breach OK contract on the part ~ th' IrSs'r5
responsibic In regard 10 the election frauds. as
wcl as other charges. It should be- borne IN mini
ccclcsiactlcal court which mas no power To compel
the attendance of witnesses or TO- administer an
10 proceed against McKane on political grounfs.
neither do ! wish 20 cause charges 10 b. made
which are not backed ny hy sui1cl"nt evidence.
hav. aet foot investigation. and expended
considerable money IA IA" matter. That investica-
t0n Is siill continued. and II may result any day
less OF the proceedings in the civil courts
WHEN DEFINITE ACTION WILL BIZ TAKEN.
81 am inclined think that definite action will
be- taken until McKanc shall have been tried by the
courts or course. II he should be convicted that
would l.. undoubtel evidence OF his unntncss for
church fellowship, and I should have charges pre-
fcrrcd against him. II he should be acquitted,
should deem Il my duty To continue my search for
evidence | believe that charges will be made
against McKane regardless OF the result Of his
trial in the civil courts but. matters stand to-
day I think II would be unwise 20 precipate a
Church trial. II. as | expect TO do / decide to
have charges brought, should request n member
Of some church not necessarily OF the Grayescnd
cburch To bring them. They would be made ~
fhe pastor Of the church. whose duty j. would be
TO appont "A committee Of laymen Mckanc being
a larinan. to q - "A jury to try them The COM
,nitto. would consist OF odd number of from
he necessary for conviction. The pastor would
preside as Il Judge. but would have no vote II the
s,or of :he (iraves~nd church should decline. or
fhInk hest not to preside. should remove him AMI
,nno,nt some one else To do ! do not think !
"rgL, 10 make further comment now, but shall
certainly see to e that, at the proper time. Effect
i've action viii be taken to protect the purity and
preserve the discipline or the Church'