Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-03-30
sac;..o,iiSt Conference.

a furry was caused yesterday in the
Baltimore Conference of the Southern
Methodist Episcopal Church at Fred
cricksburg by The reopenins of The
case OF Rev Vincent W. Wheeler, OF
Clifton Forge. and arresting The passage
of his character At the session Of
conference held last year at Front
Royal charges of ntoXication were
made against Dir. Wheeler. The
matter was referred to committee iol
investigation, which brought in 4 report
saying the charges were not sufficient
or tangible enough to warrant the hold
ing of a trial Another committee was
appointed in the case, which brought
in somewhat similar report. This was
recommitted and the third report recon-
mcnding that the case be referred to
the presiding cider of the Lewisbur@
District, who is Rev. w. G.. Hammond
Presiding Elder Hammond held Il
thorough investigation. The matter
vas brought up yesterday by the read
ing by Rev Mr. Hammond of the action
in the case, which was that the charges
against Mr.. Wheeler were dismissed.
At the same time Presiding Elder Ham
mond said that more rumors were
alioat regarding Mr.. Wheeler which
needed investigation.
This brought Mr.. Wheeler to his feet
who said that he had been before the
investigating committees, and ii looked
TO him as if the prosecution of the
charges was being made means Of
persecution. lie had been told By
Bishop Key, at Front Royal, that the
investigation was to be completed and
ended with the presiding elder. "Mr
Hammond notified me, be said chat
Other charges would be presented, and
wrote to him demanding to know
what they were, and who made them,
but have never received reply. \
paper bearing on the case is in the
hands of Rev. Rumsey Smithson, and |
wish to have it read a this point"
The paper was letter with
a dozen or more signatures, and
was addressed to the conference
protesting against the further revival of
the charges and deeply regretting the
efforts put forth in that direction by
Mr.. Davidson, their pastor, and others.
They stated that having known the &C
cused Intimately for a long time, they
were convinced of his innocence.
Rev. John H. Davidson made state
ment in his own defense, Bishop Gran
berry ruling that as his character was
assaied in the letter he had right to
speak but suggested that he say as little
as possible. Mr. Davidson charged some
Of the signers as untruthful and not to be
relied upon, and said that one of them
ought to have been one of the principal
witnesses against Mr.. Wheeler, rs he
knew he had been addicted to the Ii
quor habit. He also said that some
one had said that if Mr.. Wheeler con-
tinued drinking whisky something else
would happen. He also said that the
people signing the paper wanted the
character of Mr.. Wheeler to pass so
that he could be given work and sent
away from Clifton Forge.
1t is said that Mr.. Wheeler has on q
number of occasions taken whisky as a
medicine for physical ailment, which
makes necessary strong stimulant,
and that he has also taken digitalis and
whisky in large doses and upon pre-
scription for heart trouble.
On motion of Rev. p. II. Whisner,
presiding elder of Roanoke district, the
case was referred to committee con-
sisting of Revs. j. w. Dulley, r. r. S.
Hough and J. E. Armstrong.
The case of Rev. C. NJ. Bragg, for
mcrly pastor of Calvary Church, Balti-
more, was brought up by Bishop Gran
berry calling the Goth disciplinary ques-
ton, care all the preachers blameless
in life and official administration 2"
Under this question also Secretary Arm
strong notified the conference that Sc
rious charges of immortality had been
made against Rev. G. NJ. Bragg that
committee had acted upon the case and
had suspended him from membership.
He suggested The appointment of
committee of the conference to act in
the matter, which was done. Mr.. Bragg
some months ago, simulta-
with Miss Iantho Phelps, organ
list of the church,
The report of President ". W. Rob-
ertson, of the Wesleyan Female Insti-
tute, atStaunton, Va, was read in the
and referred to the committee
on education. 1t was very encourag-
ing report.
The following applicants were adj
mittcd to the conference on trial: E.