Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-08-02
BY TELEGRAPH.


BEocKroS, Mass. AaS. 1.-The church
trial, in which Rev. n. b Thompson o.
she South Congregational church al Gam
cello Is srrseixnes! for immoral conduct,
was op+ussi last evening in the church edi-
zee Of that society
Apparently all Of the members Of tae
churcn-rnale AMI female. old aud young
improved the opportunity TO listen 10
the details Ut the case, and It was found
necessary to hold the session In the audi
euce room of the church
The reporters OF the city who have oeen
excluded from the chu' en- meetings IN TINS
sa=e united in . petition respectfully ne
q1esting thst a committee from their mum
Der might be permitted TO appear IN the
meeting and present briefly the reasons
shy il woald be best TO permit them to
eatrr and report the proceedings.
Atteriong waiting It was learned oS
waylaying u messenger sent Tor WIZ
ness that the petition WAS read and that
vote was taken not 20 admit reporters,
without even the suggestion of 4 courteous
reply TO the courteous request The
ground for the decision is said 10 have
been that it is not Congregational 10 al
nit reporters to church meeting.
Pretty Mis-. Lillian N. swim
was present to give her testimony when
called for, and Dr. Berry and Mrs. West.
who we're with Mr.. Thompson and Mrs
Swift, the quartet at The famous dinner
It the United States hotel in Boston on
April d. were also in attendance, DIR. Berry
being The right hand man of the accused
pastor.
Gu. side Of the church there was gath
ering of .oung uaen aud boys, who good
naturally guye,i the two deacOns and JaiIl-
tor, who GUARDED the one door which Wa
occasionally opened TO admIt church meln-
hers and witnesses. Ga the streets OF
Campeilo there was an unusual number OF
oeop.e
The Charges Under Investigation
are as follows:
To Rev. y. B. Thompson. a member of the
south Congregational church of brockton' III
the state OF Massachusetts: You are HEREBY
accused As a member OF said church oil cen
duct unbUeuming Christian. and IN violation
II the covenant IT the church in the follow
ing particulars:
EIr,t-That you have been guilty of I'M
proper and uverfrequent visits TO the room OF
Mr.. Lillian VI. swift at Campello, Mass, al
various Times.
Second That on tho 9TH day Of April. 1sa'
by your invitation. Mrs. Lillian VI. Swift and
two other persons dined with You at the
United states hotel in Boston. after which,
on the same day. YOU went 10 Portland. Me-,
with Mrs Lillian VI. Swift, occupying VIII
her a stateroom on the boat during the night
# April o. ISIS, and that you occupied with
the same lady room III the Prehle House Ii
Portland. Ne. the succeeding day and
night.
TLird-That you have made un,ruthtul
statements regarding this and other matters.
You are. therefore, cited TO appear bet"rr
said church Monday evening. July 81, 1853. at
I'D O'Clock, in lis house of worship, to maxi
answer 10 said charges before the church.
The South Congregational church.
BY Rufus H. Keith. clerk Of said church.
Csinpello, Mass, July e, iS.ri-
At the meeting last evruing Hon. Xiha
C. Keith presided, and Rufus B. Keith
was the clerk Preston Keith. Warren T.
Copeland, Nathan H. Washburn, Adei-
bert f. Keith and Charles II. Cole, the
investigation committee OF the cast
chosen by the church. was in charge of the
proceedings.
The First Specifications
If overfrcquent and improper visits 10
Mrs Swift IN her room was taken up, and
a number of witnesses were called by the
committee. The ex pastor WIS not slow
10 take advantage of the vague nature Of
these specifications and the wide margil
Of judgment as to what is improper and
overfrequent visiting in such case, aud
the witnesses were constantly perpleXed by
the CroSs-eXAnlnatjon.
Mr. Thompson WAS not allowed to cali
IL esses. pernapS because it is not nects
So, ) to prove = negative, but the eNamlua'
tiou and cross-examinatiUn were very pro
iouged, aud consumed the evening until Il
late hour No definite results were
] reached whnn nm nd innrnment was taken