The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-03-16

Rev. Clifford, TO which allus,on vas made
last week The Alliance, the paper
which first printed the charges, has call.
ed upon the church to investigate the
matter, and asks Mr. Clifford TO demand
an investigation, which that worthy
seems 10th 10 do, contentlng himself by
the bare statement that the charges are
false and malicious, and expecting prob
ably that the matter will soon blow over.
The young lady who makes the charge
again It him has born the best Of a repu-
tation and has lived from infancy IN
Valley City. The Alliance says:
The charges made are to the effect
that Rev. Clifford had told her he had q
book which treated upon Babylon aud as
il would greatly assist her to understand
the Sunday school lesson, he would loan
it TO her
She called 10 get the book.
While standing beside the chair which
she occupied, and while pointing out
certain paragraphs in the book, he sud
denly and before she could anticipate
the act, put his arm around her and
kissed her.
Continuing, she said:
IL was surprised and indignant and
could not litter word, but | threw down
the book and FASTENED from the room
Ny brain seemed to be in whlrl |
was beHlldered, did not know what to
do; whether to at once to expose him AS
base, INSCRIPTIONS man, or whether to
allow II to pass unnoticed and shun him
in the future. quit his Sunday school
class and the choir md my doing SO
caused some comment, and being repeat
adly questioned as to the cause finally
hinted to one or two friends that Rev.
Clifford had treated me in an ungenlle
manly manner. The few words uttered
sped en- and on, gaining as they went,
until SO many unlruths were added felt
that in Justice to myself | should tell
some friend the whole cilcumst nee; as
you perhaps know | have no mother in
whom to confde and my father and
brothers reside in Minnesota. | was
sorry that | had even SO much as hnted
at the matter. bnt after it Wen: SO tar
and SO many We're talking about 1t.
concluded it was best that | tell the
whole truth concerning the affair, Which
| dll to lady member OF the church
| am very sorry on account OF the church
and also upon Mrs. GIfford's account,
for consider her good. true christian
lady and faithful wife. but to protect my
own name and character. / cannot longer
remain silent on the subject, even though
it cause Mrs. Clifford pain and create dis
sention in the church.
This is indeed serious charge. Ia
order to disprove which Mr.. Clifford
must be given chance to be heard in
an investigation, should he demand il,
and be must demand ii in the interest Of
the church and his parishioners-it not
TO exonerate hlmseit-or Ge bv everyone
considered guilty, rs accused By his
merely saying that the charges are false
and malicious, that it IS blackmail, or
that enemies have bribed the young lady
to make such charges, will go for naught
because by his occupying the position he
does in this city-a minister and teacher
OF the gospel-he should demand proof
of the accusations, as The Alliance be-
lieyes he will do if he is falsely accused.
II. however, he is guilty of the charges
he will not demand that a hearing be
given him before the proper church
tribunal, but will deny the charges, say
ing they are wholly false, malicious,
manufactured by enemies, ant various
other things, 50 the people may know
by the course he pursues whether the
charges are true or untrue.
1t not afraid IN investigation will de-
velop the truth OF tho charges, he will
demand an investigation
If guilty he will attempt to hide be-
hind mere assertion that the charges are
false.
For the sake OF the church. the work
OF christianity in this vicinity and to pre-
vent discord in The community, it is to
be hoped Mr.. Clifford will be able to
show, at an investigation, chat the young
lady was mistaken, even though she
makes a straightforward statement
The Alliance hopes he may be able to
prove he did not Intentionally do wrong
and will give as much publicity as posi-
bic TO verdict exonerating him from
the charges.
From an article in later date OF the
same paper it appears that the church
officers are endeavoring to shield Clifford
from an Investigation. If they are
doing this they are making grand mis-
take for which they will be sorry in the
future. 1t is fellows Of the Clifford type
who hiding their real character behind
O smooth exterior and ministerial garb
and perhaps gifted with more or less
oratorical ability, are doing more to
shake the peoples confidence in religion
than all the preaching of infidels since
CHRIST was Born. II The Valley City
church people wish to shoulder upon the
church the offenses Will b are charged
agai nst this man Clifford they can not dc
It more effectually than by following the