The herald., 1893-06-30

Der OF rumors floating around, highly
detrimental to himself. He did not,
however, go into any details as to their
nature, but treated them in general
and collective way. He wanted to cay
that they were false. He might, how
ever, he added, have been q little famil-
lar with some of the women, but it was
unintentional. If he had done any
thing it was only to put his arm around
them, just as he would not hesitate to
do before other persons. He may too
have placed his hands upon them, but
in none Of bis actions did he intend any
thing wrong.
After his remarks the various gentle
men put their heads together, but no
definite conclusion was arrived at,
A CONFESSION.
Several days later Rev. Wight pre-
pared written statement, in which it
is said that he confessed to having been
guilty OF "abominable, indiscreet and
very foolish things" One of the former
elders was seen yesterday, and stated
that this was construed by himself and
other elders as we'll, to be literal con-
fession of the charges. 1t proved, how
ever, that Rev. Wight did not exactly
coincide with them in this opinion.
REV. GARvIN's STATEMENT.
The rumors finally reached the Evan
gelical association. Accordingly meet
ing of this body was held at the Chris
tian church on Temple street on the 10Th
of this month. There we're in attend
ance, beside the board, B. f. Coulter, a
DIR. Harrison of San Jacinto and oth9r
persons.
The chairman of the board, Rev. T.
D. Garvin of Pasadena, presided. The
proceedings of the board are best told in
his words to a HERALD reporter last
| Tuesday.
'The board was not sitting as tri-
bunal, nor were we there to press any
prosecution against Rev. Wight. We
met simply to discuss the advisability
of relieving Rev. Wight from his ap-
pointment on our board. IL regard to
his church we have no jurisdiction, a
portion of our church government being
that the churches are congregational
that is the congregation of each church
governs its own affairs. Therefore
whatever action we might have taken
would not have had any direct effect
upon the action OF his church"
"Were any charges preferred against
him 2"
"No; we received no direct charges, and
only heard the rumors concerning him.
It was our intention to discuss whether
or not be was fit person to continue in
our employ"
"What were the rumors that were
presented?"
II cannot remember any of them in
particular, as they treated the affair
only in general manner. The COM
plants were not from Los Angeles, but
from various outside towns"
"Who presented them ?"
"Rev. Mr.. Smithers of the Temple
street Christian church did, / believe,
collect and present them."
''Did Mr.. Wight refute any charges?"
Yes; he spoke against them and
offered explanations, claiming he did
not intend any wrong"
"Have you those letters OF statements
against Rev. Wight?"
No. they are not in my possession
now"
"Was Mr.. B. f. Coulter OF Los Angeles
present, and what did he do?"
"He was, but did not, think, take
any prominent part in the affair"
"Well, after hearing thsse matters,
what did you do?"
"a majority OF the association thought
that Rev. Wight had acted Improperly
and should be disbarred, but it was
finally decided to leave the settlement
Of the affair to another meeting, which
l will shortly call"
Another minister In this city who ia
we'll acquainted with the various stages
OF the matter was seen at his residence
last evening, and threw some additional
light upon the meeting OF the Evsngel-
izing association,
There were two sessions held" said
the minister, lone in the day and the
other in the evening. l was present at
the Arst session.
1.-THE attention of the association was
occupied principally with receiving the
various rumorB. A number were re-
ceived from the outside towns and from
places where Rev. Wight had been.
Brother Ogburn presented several from
Riverside. DIR. Browning also had some
from San Jacinto. Some were written
and signed statements, while others
were not. The president, Mr.. Garvin,
presented statement from Mr..
! Wright of Santa Ana. In his statement
Mr.. Wright throws some light upon Rev.
Wight's performances at Santa Ana a
year ago. Mr.. Wright states that at
that time, by mistake, he got letter
from the postotice addressed to the
Rev. Wight. 1t was written by
woman living here in Los
Angeles. Among various expressions in
the letter the writer stated that che was
never 80 happy or contented as when
folded in his (Rev. Wight arms Mr..
Wright returned the letter to the post
office. and it WAS afterwards gotten by
Rev. Wight, for whom it had been in
tended.
"Mr. Wright's statement pretended to
give only the substance OF the contents
Of the letter 60 far as he could recall il
after year. He gave it Sc hie opinion,
however, that the two had been Grimm
ally intimate.
"Rev. Wight also presented state
ment of what was in the missive accord
ing to the best of his recollection, as he
had destroy ed the letter. His vereion
differed but slightly from that Of Mr.
Wright.
"Rev. Wight attempted to explain the
matter by claiming that the lady who
wrote the letter was sick and that he
had comforted her, and nothing i'm
proper had taken place.
"Mr. Smithers cited several instances
of Rev. Wight's work in the Temple.
street church. Rev. Smithers stated
that he fret began to lose confidence in
Rev. Wight some time ago. Several
reputable ladies in his (Rev. Smith
arnN couorauatiOn cama and told