The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-08-21
A QUALIFIED ACOUITTAL.
Charges Against DIR. Steel Sustained, but
the Editor of the EpwOrth Era
Keeps His Office.

Formal charges were preferred
against the Rev. Samuel A. Steel,
ID, editor of the Epworth Era, the
organ of the Epworth League of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
published at Nashville by the Meth
odist Publishing House.
The charges were preferred by j.
A. Odell, prosecutor, and were for
both misconduct and inefficiency in
the performance of his duty as said
editor.
The specifications on the charge of
inetficiency were, marked failure
to promote piety, as manifested in
the purpose for which the editor
conceived the paper to exist, in fire.
quent frivolity of spirit and express
sion, and in other respects.
A general bitterness and uncharit-
ableness towards persons who criti-
cized his utterances, etc.. setting
forth narrow view of religion as
consisting largely, if not chiefly, in
abstinence from certain worldly
amusements and from the use of to-
baccO, by giving chief emphasis to
them in the columns of the Era, in
stead of emphasizing repentance to-
ward God and faith in our Lord Je-
sus Christ; general vulgarity of style
and frequent use of slang and low
expressions.
The specifications on the charge of
misconduct included his advocacy
of aggressive war on Turkey and
Spain; depreciation of loyalty to
church authorities, and the inculca-
tion of a spirit of comparative con-
tempt for them; a threat to retort in
some personal way in public upon
certain of his critics; the setting
forth that the use of tobacco is a
sin; Misrepresentation of the facts
of the interview with the Book Com
mittee at their annual meeting in
May, 1895.
The Book Committee of the Meth
odist Church, before whom the
charges came, appointed commit
tee to try the Doctor upon these
charges, and the trial began Wednes-
day of last week and continued be-
hind closed doors until last Monday.
Before the verdict was rendered.
and after the evidence was all in,
DR.. Steel appeared before the com
mittee in person, and after an inter-
view with the members signed the
following agreement, which was
drafted by the committee in his
presence:
II hereby agree and covenant that
will most earnestly endeavor to
perform the duties of my office as
editor of the Epworth Era in such
manner as may command the APP
prevail and sympathy of the cOnsti-
tuted authorities of the church, and
the hearty cooperation of all the
brethren; furthermore agree to &C
cept the action of the Committee or
Trial as expressing the mind of said
authorities and brethren, and shall
defer to their construction of all the
several points involved in the prem
ises, ana shall carefully avoid all the
matters complained of in the bill OF
charges and specifications.
witness my hand this, the 18th
day of August, 1885, S. A. STEEL"
The Committee thereupon render.
ed the following verdict, to-wit:-
In consideration of the fact the DR.
! Steel assures this committee that he
will avoid the things complained Of
in his editorial management of the
EpwOrth Era, Therefore,
ReSOLUed, that we reconsider our &C
| ton in sustaining the complaints of in
efficiency and misconduct and adopt thu
following as our verdict in this case:
In view of all the evidence written
oral and printed, which we have consid
cred in connection with each of the speci
tications, we, the committee of trial IL
the case of DR.. S. A. Steel, find the charges
largely sustained and approve tn,
course of the Book Committee in tn,
matter and yet in the spirit of charity
taking fullest account of all eXtenuatinG
circumstances, wefeel that the laws o
justice and good government may b,
sufficiently secured and DR.. Steel have
an opportunity to redeem himself anC
measure up to the demands and posi-
bilities of his high office: and as Dr
Steel in formal interview has given al
assurance required by the committe,
touching the future conduct of his Off
cial work, the decision of the committe,
is that he be continued in office.
This decision was passed unani
mously and Endorsed by the com
mittee.
Before adjournment a warning
was issued, (Blshop Wilson presid
ing), that the records in the case b,
filed as part of the archives of tn,
Book Committee of the Methods
Publishing House.
The closing scenes were strongl!
expressive of mutual good feeling
and brotherly love on the part of al
who had participated in the trial.