The herald., 1894-08-27
THEY STAND BY THE PASTOR.
DR.. Campbell Sustained by Two
Church Congregations.
Sunday Sermons at the Various Los
Angeles Churches.
The Hot Weather Reduces tho Attend
aucs at All of tho Churches.
General Church
NaUg.

When Miss Kelso filed her suit for
slander against DR.. ]. W. Campbell the
other day, che evidently did not reckon
upon the outburst of church sentiment
that would ensue. Because of that suit
two of the Methodist churches have
passed resolutions OF character which
fully sustains DR.. Campbell in the atti-
tnde he has pursued. and places Miss
Kelso in somewhat of ridiculous posi-
tion before the public.
Before Mr.. Campbell began his morn
ina service yesterday in the First M. E.
church on Broadway, the official church
board begged permission to read pre-
amble and resolution. which they had
passed, and ii was az follows:
Whereas, A complaint has been filed
in the superior court OF Los Angeles
county by Miss Tessa l.. Kelso against
our beloved pastor, Rev. j. w. Camp
bell charging him with slanderous ut
terances made at the regular Sunday
services held in ouI church on August
10, 1894, against and in respect to Miss
Kslso as the librarian of the Los Ange-
les city public library and
Whereas, 1t is further charged in said
complaint that il ia the rule and practice
of our church to hold that whenever
person is prayed for the congregation
understands it to be a charge made by
such praying person against the moral
character OF the person prayed for. and
that on said occasion our pastor did use
the words in his prayer, "Oh, Lord,
vouchsafe Thy saving grace TO the libra
rian of the Los Angeles city library"
and that the meaning and purpose OF
said words we're to impugn the moral
character of Miss Keiso, and that the
same was go understood by said congre-
CATION; r6)w therefore, be it
Resolved, That this congregation ex-
plcitly denies that there is any such
rule or practice OF our church ss the one
above alluded to, nor is any such infer
ence designed or expected to follow from
the mention OF an individual name in
any of the prayers of our church; and
we further deny that any such inference
was or could have been drawn by the
congregation from any words or express
sions MADE by our pastor on the occasion
referred TO, either in his prayer or public
discourse or at any other time or place.
Resolved-That it was and ia the gen
eral sanse of the congregation present on
the said occasion that our pastor in all
that he in any way said in relation to
the public library was that the greatest
care should be exercised against the
introduction of immoral publications
into the library, because it would neces-
sarilv endanger the moral purity and
welfare OF young and old and exert such
corrupting influence upon the public.
1t was the duty OF the church and our
pastor, as its representative, to make
plain and earnest protest against at least
the negligence that had allowed such u
book to be placed on its shelves.
Resolved, That we approve of the pur-
pose and uttersnce of our pastor on the
occasion referred to, and, while we dep
recate the course pursued by Miss Kelso
in thus arraigning our pastor upon a
groundless charge, yet, inspired by our
eense of duty and care for our church
and our pastor, and recognizing that in
all his ministrstioDs ae servant of the
Most High, and especially during the
years he has been the pastor of our
church, he has ever maintained in every
relation OF life both public and private.
character above reproach. that he has
ever been just, faithful, deep and broad
in mis- sympathies, firm in his princi-
Piles, public spirited, having lofty idea
of Christian life in layman and minister,
he has ever been loyal to the principles
OF our church, which is love to all and
malice toward none. And as on this
occasion he did not, 80 on no other dur.
ing all his connection with this church,
has he ever uttered a slanderous sylla-
BILE, because we do not believe him cap
able of slanderous thoughts against any
individual.
Resolved, That we tender to our be-
loved pastor our united sympathy and
support in this unwsrranted attack
upon him; that we will stay his heart
with our prayers, and his hands with
all the material aid that may be re-
uuired for the most thorough and COM
plete defense against this charge and all
therein and thereby involved.
At the conclusion OF its reading a mo-
tion for its adoption by thoee present,
and the vast audience arose to it's feet.
Following this resolution one was read
and likewise unanimously adopted
which made a request of the presiding
elder to use his influence to have DR..
Campbell resppointed to his present
charge. Nothing could more fully dem
onstrate the great respect and admira-
ton for the reverend gentleman than
these resolutions. Tney fully endorse
his course and attribute to him the mo-
tivee which actuate any good citizen to
stamp out an existing evil.
DIR. CAMpBELL's SERMON.
In arising to make the morning dis
course, the doctor thanked his congrega-
tion and the official board for their
action. He said that in 20 years OF his
ministerial life he had not knowingly
made personal attacks upon any one,
and the sermon and prayer OF the Sun
day previous was not intended to per-
sonally apply to Miss Kelso's character.
He said he never for a moment consid-
cred the responsibility of the library evil