The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-26
GIBSON DECLARED GUILTY.
End to the Sensational Case in the
North Georgia Conference.

End to the Sensational Case in the
North Georgia Conference.
Augusta, Ga, Nov. 25.-The third days
session of the Methodist conference at St
Johns Church this morning was opened
by Rev. r. w. Bigham. who read and the
congregation sang How Firm a Founda-
ton"
The minutes of yesterday were read by
the secretary. The regular order was
passing upon the character of under grad
yates applying for ordination as deacons
and elders. These young travelling preach
ers gave good accounts of their work,
were all indorsed by their presiding elders,
and made good showing for the advance
ment of Methodism in the mission fields
where they labor. Quite a number of
them will be ordained on Sunday, having
successfully passed the examinations, and
had their characters passed by the con-
ference.
The special committee appointed to try
the charge brought against Rev Joel T.
Gibson of Atlanta, reported their findings
10 the conference to-day through their
chairman, Rev. ]. H. Mashburn.
The report of the committee cited that
Mr.. Gibson was charged with immortality
and that the following specifications were
made under the general charge:
That he had violated his marriage vows;
finding, guilty.
That he had violated the tenth com
mandment of the decalogue; finding,
guilty.
That he had wrecked the home of a
brother minister and persisted in atten-
tons to his wife against his protests and
had persisted in going to his home when
he had been entreated not to do so, except
when invited; finding, guilty
FERMENTATION, in that he had written a
note TO the Atlanta Ministerial Associa-
on a meeting, because had to visit a sick
member of his congregation, when it was
alleged that he was seen at the time of
the meeting walking on the streets of
Atlanta in company with Mrs. w. finding
on this charge not guilty.
In view of these charges and findings
the committee decided that Mr. Gibson
should be expelled from the ministry and
membership of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. The report of the com
mittee was ordered upon tine minutes of
the conference, and the unhappy incident
was closed
The other feature of interest in the day s
proceedings was the address of DR. Young
| j. Allen, the famous missionary to China
who has been forty years in the field His
| address was heard by a large audience
| and was fun of interest and instruction
| DR.. Allen says that China is now ready
to hear and the time is ripe for the carry
| ing of Western Christian civilization into
| this mighty empire DR.. Allen declared that
| the civilization of China represents the
| greatest civilization the world has ever
| known OF a purely human character out
| side of the christianiZing influence of the
| Rible SURPRISING the civilization of Greece
! and Rome He says the Chinese is little
| understood by us, and he regards the
| breaking down of the barriers in China
! and the awakening of a spirit among her
| Deople Of readiness to learn and install
| Western civilization as the greatest
| achievements OF the nineteenth century
| The night session was devoted 10 the re-
| port Of the finance committee from Chair
! man w. A. Hemphin of Atlanta who
stated that this was the sixth year Of his
| service His report showed that the Au-
! gusta district is leading in the amount
! paid to the various missionary works of
| the church.
Hon. Asa G. Gambler of Atlanta also
made a stirring appeal in behalf Of con-
| lributions to the mission work, and col
! lection was taken up.
| DIR. Alien also contributed another in
| teresting address on condition in China.