Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-28
TRIAL OF REV. G. F. WILLIAMS
1t is Thought All the Witnesses Have Been
Examined.
A Case Which Has Created Tremen
dOus Interest in the Church
The Charges.

The first trial before an ecclesiastical
court of the diocese of Washington seems
likely to be most memorable one. There
+, mains dim tradition, known only as
ST Oh to churchmen of this generation, that
once. long years ago, the ecclesiastical
court of the parent diocese of Maryland
was convened to try a Clergyman for some
alleged moral delinquency. But hardly is
the name known, and few recall whether
he was found guilty OR innocent.
This is not likely to be the case with the
trial Of the Rev. Gilbert +. Williams, late
rector of Christ Church, Washington,
charged with the violation of his ordination
VOWS, and with immoral conduct with a
young woman of his congregation, well
nigh two years ago.
For eight years he had been the popular,
laborious, successful and everywhere es-
tcemcd rector of this among the most inn
portant parishes in the diocese. Under
Bishop Paret he had been, in the Office of
dean ana of archdeacon of the convoca-
ton of Washington, placed for several
years at the head of all the clergy of the
new diocese of Washington. Over-work,
however. had so far undermined his health
that in the summer of 1896 he was forced
to take an extended leave of absence in the
effort to regain his strength.
While so absent the condition of young
woman set going the SossipS of the parish,
ard while number of names wers ban
died about, the story spread that the alb
sent clergyman was the guilty party. But
it was not until some months had passed,
Eor until the minister had returned been
requested by his vestry to resign and had
again gone away that the girl herself as
cribed to him the paternity of her child.
He then called for an investigation and a
trial, by letters both to the bishop and the
chairman of the standing committee, bs-
seeming them to arrange for his speedy
trial.
From the standing of the parties the re-
port of the young woman's charge soon
found its way through the entire diocese
and stunned it with amaZement. For many
years past the young woman had been an
actlvc worker in Christ Church parish WIS.,
itinS the sick, collecting funds for parish
purposes, and a member of several of tn ;
Church societies of the parish.
Charges of misc conduct having been pre-
ferred against a clergyman it becomes the
duty of the standing committee of the did,
cese to investigate, and if they be satisfied
there is probable cause they are then to
make presen.ment to the bishop. This was
done in this case. and Mr.. Williams return
ed to Washington from a sanitarium
though still sick, early last fall, for his
trial.
This was begun on the Goth of January
last at the Pro-Cathedral of ST. Marks
Church, Washington, and without intermis-
sion since, except two days, has been con-
tlnued each day from 10 o'clock am. TO
O'Clock in the afternoon.
L. A. Wilmer of Charles county, adjutant
general of the state of Maryland, repre-
sents the church, William A. Meloy, esq.,
appearing as sole counsel for the accused
The canons of the Protestant Episcopal
Church declare the defendants right to
have one counsel, and in this case the court
ruled that he should have only one Another
canon denies admission to the court to any
save the clergy and the defendant, and by
permission of the court a few of his friends
IhiS court still further limited by excluding
all witnesses save the one on the stand.
In order still further to avoid publicity the
bishop asked the clergy not to avail them
selves Of the privilege of attending, and SO
very few have attended and none have fol-
lowed the entire trial,
The high reputation of the reverend de-
PENDANT, the volume of the testimony pre-
scented, the exciting and sensa .ional nature
of the evidence, would have inevitably at
trdcted the greatest public interest and
widespread attention, not merely among
the churchmen of the country, but other
classes as well, had not the court imme-
Giately upon it's organization ordered its
doors closed, its officers put under oaths of
secrecy, and under the canons of the
church excluded both spectators and all re-
porterS.
The court stenographer and its secretary
have been seen passing and repassing with
a daily growing bulk of testimony taken
now quite near 1000 typewriter pages.
Witnesses for the prosecution ceased to
De called in the fourth week, and no more
summonses go out for witnesses on behalf of
the defendant. These are plain signs that
the trial is practically ended Both sides
claim the victory.
Should majority Of the court find Mr.
Williams guilty of the charge, or of i'm
proper conduct at all. it remains for the
bishop to say whether his sentence shall be
degradation from the ministry or mere sus-
PENSION