The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-19
THE STORY OF HIS FLIGHT
e. L. WeissWasser Related 1t to the
Commission Of the Presbytery.
1T IS DISPOSED TO BE LENIENT
Belief That Ho Has Been More Sinned
Against Than SHINING Rev. Edward
kennedy Placed on tho Retired
List-Rcsolutions Adopted.

hoplnson proposed that Rev. #. Won
krug be chairman of the commission,
and that Rev. Charles Lee, of Carbon
dale, Rev. N. G.. Parke, of Pittston, and
Elder G. w. Phillips, be added to the
commission in the place of Rev. Charles
10. Robinson, Elder j. l.. Burr and
Judge Jessup, who We're unable to be
present throughout the hearing. The
commission retired at II a. m. to con-
slider the papers, and at o'clock were
still In session when the Presbytery was
ready to adjourn. In as much as there
was probability OF the commission re-
porting before the adjournment the
Presbytery decided to invest the COM
mission with final powers and to pro-
nounce judgement in the case.
During the first few hours of the ses-
sion the members of the commission
We're engaged in considering the papers
relative to the case which had been
handed them by the judicial committee
in order to ascertain If there was any
probability of the charges being true.
Having perused the papers 1t was de-
cided that Mr.. Weisswasser be heard.
In addition to his evidence, Mrs. Weiss
wasser and Miss Welsswasser were
called and their statements heard.
Members of the commission when
asked as to the result of their delibera-
tlons, replied that they had not arrived
at any decision in the matter. and it
was improbable that they would do so
for some time. Under the rules of dis
cipline Mr.. Weisswasser cannot be re-
instated for period of six months,
nd 90 hnt h,
commission will not announce any de-
expiration of that time.
disposed to Be Lenient.
The majority of the members of the
Presbytery are, however, disposed to
deal leniently with Mr.. Weisswasser,
and there is room for believing that
these views are reflected by the COM
mission. Many new features were men,
toned casually yesterday which tend
to prove that Mr.. Wesswasser was sub
jected to great provocation from va
rious sources which compelled him to
seek refuge in sudden flight. The mem
bers of the Hickory street church, who
were present yesterday at the Presby-
terry, expressed their warm admiration
of his preaching and arganizing abil-
tiles, and stated that the large major
ity of the church members sympat thized
with him in his difficulties and re-
GREETED his departure.
1t is said to be established beyond
doubt that the charges of immortality
against Mr.. Weisswasser were without
foundation, and the only charges dealt
with yesterday were desertion of family
and desertion of pulpit and church. AS
redeeming feature it is proved be-
yond dispute that Mr.. Weisswasser left
800 for the temporary maintenance
of his family until he could secure en-
ployment, and fully three months ago
wrote a confession to local minister
of the whole circumstances which led to
his departure. 1t is understood that
this confession was dealt with yester-
day, and after considerable sitting was
found to be true according to the evil
dence Prominent members of the
Presbyterian churches will endeavor to
assist him in procuring employment as
engineer or other suitable vocation un-
til the decision of the commission be an
nounced, as they believe that he is more
"sinned against than sinner"
With regard to the charges against
Rev. A. Lange, preferred by members
of the same church (Hickory Street
German Presbyterian, the commission
were unable, owing to lack of time, to \
consider the matter. No date was fixed
for the adjourned meeting.
Proceedings of the Morning.
At the morning session the committee
appointed to consider the letter of Rev.
Thomas Thomas, pastor of Rushvile
and Stevensville, upon conclusion of n
pastorate of fifty years, recommended
that he be placed on the honorably re-
tired list, and that the full amount
paid by the board of ministration be
paid him annually.
The committee on church erection and
cred three applications for assistance,
but were incomplete. The amount in
volved in the applications was $4,000.
The committee on ministerial relief
made report that the sum of s1,397.S7
had been collected for the retired and
INDECENT ministers fund. Rev. Jacob
Best, of the Brooklyn church, was
allowed to retire on the honorable list
on account of advancing years. Rec
concentrations were also made, and
adopted, for granting an annual allow
ance, after which Mr.. Best returned
his thanks.
At the afternoon session satisfactory
reports were made by the following
pastors as to the. students under the
care of the Presbytery: Rev. William
Nx, IIae No, yIy
Swan, as to Charles Richards; Rev. NJ.
l.. Cook as to Edward l.. Kennedy;
Rev. +. Won Krug, as to George M.
Sanford Henry Koehler and Norman
Koehler; DIR. Parke, as to John Cowen
Rev. C. Il. Robinson. as to II. w. Luse
and Arthur Il. Williams; and Modera-
tor Sites, as to John Mcdowell.
Some Appointments Made.
Reports of modefators for vacant pull
pits were presented and the following
moderators appointed: Rushville and
Stevensville, Rev. M. H.. Cook; Oily
phant, Rev. George c. Guild; Harmony,
Rev. Kressler; Herrick, Rev. NJ. l..
Cook; Bethany, Rev. r. o. Ward; Leb-
anon, Rev. w. II. Swift; Newton and
Bethel. Rev. G.. G.. Smith; Waymart,
Prompton and Second Church, Car
bondale, Rev. Charles Lee; Snow
den Memorial, Rev. +. Won |
Krug, Wilkes-Barre. Covenant, Rev.
r. b. Webster; Wysox and Ber-
nice, Rev. DR.. Stewart; Dushore,
Rev. p. II. Brooks; Mount Pleasant, |
Rev. Charles Lee; Uniondale, Rev. II. |
j. Crane; Forest City, Rev. Charles |
Kennedy; Scott church, Rev. d. r. |
Sutherland; Wells and Columbia, Rev. |
G. P. Sewell; New Milford and Franklin |
Hill, Rev. l.. w. Church; Washburn
street (scranton), Rev. M. Custer; Peck
vile Slavonic, Rev George e. Guild;
Sterling, Rev. Il. Mclean; Archibald,
Rev. c. %. Guild Bennett, Rev.