The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-11
REV. EOBEHf a.. GIBSON.
An investigation Of the Rumor rs to His
Faith.
Richmond. Va. Feb. S. 1874.

an iuyrattrat1On VI itufnDr rs TO HIS
Faith.
Richmond, Va, Feb. S, 1874.
Editor Times: An episode in the special
council held in the Diocese of Virginia
on the 3fst ultimo, to elect an assistant
hishop. was flashed over the wires through
the whole country, and has excited. COM
ment in every diocese
/ refer to the inputation Of leresy
against the Rev. l'oDert a. Gibson, or
Cincinnati O.. and "A nominee for the
office. az assistant bishop. AS one who
was nraeent as q member Of the council,
and Thoroughly cOgnizant OF all the facts,
and as being unvittinsiy instrumental in
exnouinp Mir Gibson TO this charge, I
now. in the interest Of common justice.
beg tho courtesy Of a brief space in your
columns TO state those facts and show
by them how utterly without foundation
the charge was. how absolutely unsus-
tanned by any respectable evidence. The
vague shadow OF a specification against
him ran thus: Il have heart that MIR.
Gibson has a tendency 10 Broad Church.
manshin and that he is unsound on the
doctrine of eternal punishment" A charge
vague enough In itself when we ask by
whose standard his tendency to unsOund-
ness and too great breadth IL TO be
iudced2 And what evidence has he given
OF such dangerous tendencies? But, rem
dered vet more unworthy OF consideration
from the fact that the name OF the author
OF the rrtmOr could not be given, nor any
more defnate statement Of n reason made
why he should not be chosen TO the Office
of bishop. When we think OF such a
charge ogainst a tried and trusted presby-
ter who I'm his twenty years of minis
terial life has done only good and faith
ful work and won the confidence and
reenect 81 ali who know him best-lay-
men. priests, and b~ishopS-it seems n
"trine lioht as air" unworthy of n second
thought in any fair mind that values a
mans rood name as his mos. precious
| heritage. But. unfortunately. the very
lightness Of this rumor Is like thai OF the
seed Of blue thistle or ox-eve, which en-
ables them TO float on every breeze and
carry their pernicious influence 10 many
n far-off field. II has that sensational
flavor about II which reporters regard as
"A windfall. and which the public delights
10 dwell. upon. Like the seed above
named. il floats afar over telegraph wires
and goseiDs' tongues. finds lOdGmeut in
MANY a curious mind. and comes to many
a vivid imagination with a confirmation
strong as holv writ" / doubt not that
in spite of all that can be done. this
rumor, vague and groundless as II Is. VIII
float on through time and space. ana
leave In the public mind a favor of hete-
rodoxy about Mr.. Gibson's name as Ions
as he lives. I brought the fire on him by
nominating him. and now want TO put
i'm evidence for him the words OF wise.
trusted. and noble men against the vague
gossip OF Mrs. Grundy" which I have
! cited above. on Investigation most caro-
full. all the evidence in support OF tho
charge is as follows:
First. A letter from the sandy Dr. Pc
terkin. advising him against n citation
made In a sermon from George Elliot.
Second. The statement from a young
man OF moderate experience. and per-
haps not lnfallible in judgment. that he
had heard Mr. Gibson preach on several
| occasions since he went to Cincinnati.
and that he did not preach the gospel.
In reply TO the first. this same DIT.
Peterkin. whose trusted assistant Mr..
Gibson was for six years. long after THIS
George Elliot episode, seconded hts noni-
nation I'm strong terms as assistant bishop
OF Virginia ten years ago. saying tnat ne
was the wisest man OF his age nat ht
knew.
As 10 the second I can only say what
ever Mrs. Grundy thinks. Bishop Peter
kin. with whom Mr.. Gibson worked side
by side for ten years as trusted friend
HUU AdlMfl Al AAAAA AAA@Ff $780,
! times endorsed him. in answer TO letters
of inquiry. i'm unqualified terms for the
responsible office of bishop, and in a
letter TO myself. on that subject. de-
scribes him as combining as many. n
not more. excellencies as any man ]
know" Again he says. II recommends
him very highly TO southern Ohio and
10 Georgia (as bishop. and have never
regretted one word. but would be ready
10 reaffirm IL all now" This opinion IL
based upon an intimacy Of the closest
kind. which existed for ten years between
the bishop and a p~resbyter. whom he
constantly heard preach. and who was
thoroughly I'm his confidence. Another
witness against Mrs. Grundy's rumOr is
an intelligent and successful lawyer. for
ten years a member Of Mr.. GibsOn's
congregation. and long a warden in his
church in Parkersburg. He says. "He
is a strikingly good preacher" II Is
not a broad churchman.' as the phrase
is used, but is a man Of broad and liberal
views and enlightened Judgment. and
thoroughly sound I'm craftsmanship"
A third witness is a member and
warden Of Mr.. Gibson's church IN Gin
cinnati. lie says, Nj Gibson has many
qualities. both by nature and education,
which eminently fit him for the high
/ aHi Hot5 Office OF bloiyf. tA-A ~ - NDH-
dcrfully we'll balanced man I'm and out
side OF church matters" Surely ir testi-
mony Ike this. and the universal con
fidence and affection with which Mr..
Gibson has inspired all who know him
best is 10 90 down before the underlined
rumor, which would not be taken IN any
court as evidence against Il suspected
criminal. We must all fee that we hold
that priceless treasure Of an unblemish-
ed reputation by a tenure slight indeed.
l will only 4 That ! do not write this
as an advocate OF a defeated candidate
] am thoroughly satisfied with the wise
and noble man the council has chosen
to be our assistant bishop. and am
ready TO give him. as my superior. my
loyal support. as he now has my warm
affection. 7 only ask for the publication
OF tins article in the interest Of justice,
as a feeble effort TO remove. If possible,
the faint of heresy from Il loyal son
and faithful presbyter Of the church.
LANDON r. MASON.
Rector Grace church. Richmond.
Between You and J."