The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-12
PULPIT TO GUTTER AND BACK.
This Is the Road "A Former Popular
Pastor Has Travelled Recently.

Eastor has TraVeIed Recently.
From the San Francisco Bulletin.
Rev. Kenneth ]. Duncan, former pastor
of the Howard Presbyterian church. whose
fall from grace some two years ago made
such a sensation and scandal in church
circles, has returned into the Christian
fold, repentant and regenerate. He is
now preaching every other night at the
Mission Josephine, conducted by Robert
j. Barbe and wife, at 20 Taylor street.
The history of this young mans tempta-
ton, fall and rescue Is more like a bit OF
glowing fiction of a Biblical story than a
real experience. He Is a slightly built
small young man only 81 years old, yet
he had successfully held the passionate OF
large church and been respected and
admired by his friends and the congrega-
ton until the thirst for drink, which
seems to have been an Unborn appetite
with him, overcame him and he forsook
the paths of respectable life and became
comman drunkard of the streets, sep
arated from his wife and family.
Nobody had pitied him. Everywhere he
went, wine was put before him. He re-
fused 1t, only to be tempted again. Finally,
disguised with the conduct of affairs and
the lack of sympathy, in moment OF
weakness and anger, he went out into
the streets and the saloons, returning to
his home only after a several days de-
bauch. His wife and little child went
east, leaving him TO his own devices, and,
of course, he was obliged to give up his
pastorate
Then followed two years of utter aban.
donment and license, drinking heavily
and wandering from place TO place in pow
he tried to retrieve himself by teaching
school, but the story of his fail was soon
noised abroad and he thought IL better
to give up the attempt to live a respecta>
bic life. He had many invitations from
different church organizations to join
them and amend his past life but their
kindness was only apparent. They had
sighted and ridiculed his weakness. Some
of the humber, less Pharisaical religious
organizations, which he would have Joined
voluntarily, refused to admit him because
they thought him too proud, too well ed
ucated. with too much of the recollection
of his former prosperity about him, per-
| haps.
He has. been wandering around in the
dens of San Francisco with the pain OF
his sin and the separation from his wife
preying upon his mind, when he was dis
covered by his friend Robert Barbee, who
was himself a drunkard four years ago,
and is now working at the Mission Jo-
sephine to save outcasts. Mr.. Barbee spoke
to the unfortunate man, begging him to
begin again in the Christian life. He spoke
to him of Paul, who had sinned and was
forgiven. Finally Mr.. Barbee's earnest
sympathetic and kindly exhortation pre-
vailed and Mr. Duncan fell weeping on the
altar at the little mission, praying TO be
forgiven.
Mr. Barbee took him to his own home,
where he spends his days i'm prayer and In
reading the Bible. He is very earnest
and says the taste for whisky has left
him altogether.
Every other night he breaches at the
Mission Josephine to outcasts, such as he
was. When MIR. Barbee, who works at the
trade of carpentering during the day. is
too tired to speak, Mr.. Duncan breaches
every night As an offset to this pastoral
work, Mr.. Duncan has assumed the jan
itorship of the little mission. thus atoning
in part for his disgrace by assuming the
very lowllest, meanest position.
Already, however, there are indications
that he will not be long I'm this humble
office, for he has been called to a new
mission founded by a wealthy woman in
Sacramento. There is a large field Of
WORK for him there and he has every
chance to lead a new and prosperous
life.