New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-21
SPOKE FOR HER HUSBAND.
A DRAMATIC SCENE IN THE FIFTH
AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
THE WIFE OF HERMAN wARszAwIAK CRIES OUT
THAT HE IS INNOCENT WHEN THE JUDO

THE WIFE OF HERMAN wARszAwIAK CRIES ooi
THAT HE IS INNOCENT WHEN THE JUDO
MENT AGAINST HIM IS READ.
dramatic scene was witnessed by the FASH
ionable congregation at the morning service III
the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church yester-
day. when Herman Warszawiak. the Christian
Hebrew who has been seeking admission INTO
the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. was
publicly denounced as guilty on charges OF gam
bling and was suspended from the communion OF
the church AS soon as the judgment, WHICH
was finding Of the session Of the church. was
read Mrs. Warszawiak. who was seated near
the front of the church. rose, and. turning Tow
ard the congregation cried out that her huspahu
was innocent The singing of a hymn wnich
was given out by the officiating clergyman as
soon as he realized that the woman was hkey
to make n scene in degree allayeo the e"oi'e
ment Of the congregation, and Mrs Warsza"iaA
was induced to go out
The case OF Warszawiak is one OF the most
remarkable Of its kind In recent years "ai'""
wiak Is a young Hebrew who progressed CONVEX
sion to Christianity, and did missionary "oi"
among his people. His labors attracted inc
attention of DR.. John Hall, who befriended h'if'
and some time ago the young man appileu loi
admission into the Presbyterian ministry lh''
led to an investigation into his character anu
70 the SURPRISE of those who had heard OF MS
work. serious charges were brought against MIL
The session of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian
Church at the request Of the Presbytery, began
an inquiry into the charges. and examined the
evidence very carefully. About week ago. ar
ter a long investigation, the result was maze
public Dr. Hall, pastor Of the church' was
chairman OF the session, and Sas B. Browheh
secretary Anthony Comstock and others testi-
fed before the session, and their investigation
resulted in finding Warszawiak guilty on all the
counts except one. The members stood seven u
four for conviction on all the specifications eX-
cept the last, on which no evidence could be
found The charges specified that while
Warszawiak was a member OF the church. and
was engaged in missionary work among the
Jews, and receiving aid from the public he en-
gagged in the practice Of gambling and ire
quented public gambling resorts. Among other
places he is alleged to have visited was gam
bling house and poolroorn sometimes called the
Hoffman House." at Weehawken. n. j., on
February Q. 10 30 and %, 1897, where he played
the game of roulette.
1t was known that the deciso, Of the session
would be announced at yesterdays services, and
a large congregation present. DR.. John
Hall was called away to New-Jersey on account
Of the Illness OF a grandchd Dr. Prtchard of
Alexander Chapel. took his place. Mrs Warsza-
wiak, with another young woman, arrived early
and sat in one of the front seats.
Just before the sermon to be given Silas
3. Brownell, secretary of the session, rose and
read the finding of that body as follows
THE session having deliberately considered
the testimony in the case of Herman Warsza-
wak. a member of this church, charged by the
Presbyterian Church in the United states OF
America with immoral conduct as set out In two
charges, supported by sundry specifications, ana
having listened to the testimony, arguments ana
explanations which have been offered. as well
by the accused by the Committee of Prosecu-
tion, does Judge and decide that the charges
have been proved. and that the said Herman
Warszawak Is guilty Of the immoral conduct
charged upon him.
And the session does further judge and de-
termine that the said Herman Warszawiak
ought to be and he hereby is suspended from the
communion Of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian
Church"
As soon as Mr. Brownell had finished Mrs.
Warszawiak rose and turned to the congregation.
and while evidently in a state or extreme eX-
citement, exclaimed
MY husband is innocent. cannot sit here
and allow him to be harshly spoken OF before so
many people and not defend him
The Woman's unexpected speech caused an
immense deal OF excitement In the congregation,
who rose from their seats and stared at Mrs.
Warszawiak. The minister was equal to the oc-
casion While the woman was still speaking ne
gave out a hymn as though nothing unusual
was happening. and the congregation ana cholr
Immediately began to sing.
Meanwhile two ushers approached Mrs wars
zawiak and tried to induce her to go out This
she refused TO do, and continued to talk ex-
citedly The ushers took her gently by the arms
and tried lead her away but she resisted
them The hymn being sung all the time.
and the congregation though they could not near
what the woman saying. saw the ushers
with her. and began to fear disturbance n h1w 'o-
ever Mrs warszawiak's companion spoke to her
and added her appeals to those or the ushers
and at last she induced to withdraw she
walked down the aisle. followed by the curious
rIances of the congregation. and passed into the
vestibule Afterward the sermon was given, ana
the service closed usual.