The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-09-11
Rev.. Mr.. MNhank Warns tho
Women Of His Congregation.
MADE sLANDEROuS REPORTS.
Rector Threatens 10 Refuse Communion 10
the GossIps Written RstracIien De-
mandsd From Them.

Monticello, N. Y. Sept. 1.-THE Rev.
John f. Milbank. rector OF st. Johns
Episcopal church. caused a sensation
among his hearers at the service. Sunday.
by announcing that unless certain women
OF his congregation, whom he accused
OF slandering Bishop Potter. would prom
Use to desist and formally deny the alleged
utterances. he would refuse the rite OF
communion to them.
Just before his sermon the rector said
that he had an unpleasant duty to per-
form, which had been on his mind for
eighteen months. Certain women In the
congregation, he said. had been grossly
slandering Bishop Potter. Pointing his
finger at the altar boy. Mr., Milbank ex-
claimed: l.-+s
THE story is one would blush to re-
peat before that child there eI o
These women have been industriously
circulating these lying ISLANDERS for the
last eighteen MONTHS he continued.
Young men have como to me and re-
peated them. and visitors from the city
have asked me what kind of man our
bishop was. have been silent, hoping
this would stop. Now IL has got to stop.
WANTS WOMEN TO SIGN DENIAL.
81 have consulted a lawyer. but he tells
me that an action cannot he brought by
me. so have determined, III these lying
tales do not cease at once, to refuse the
rite of communion 10 these women.
THE Church does not believe In excom-
munication unless person Is "A notorious
offender, so this will not be resorted. to.
But these women will have to come be-
fore me and sign paper denying these
stories. or they will be punished.
Bishop Potter is pure man, and these
ISLANDERS are unworthy Christian church
or people Such lies do not generally
come from men"
The women of the parish are very i'm
dignant. They say that If one or two have
circulated such reports an indefinite and
indirect charge, by inference. including
one or all. is IN timed and wrong.
Mr.. Milhanks warning has once more
set the parish talking about the scandal
in the church during the rectorship of
Mr.. Milbank's predecessor. the Rev. Da-
vid T. Howell.
Mr.. Howell came tn the church as rec
tor in May, 1895. There were two factions.
and the new rector sided with one OF
them, Gossip soon associated his name
with that of Mrs. Jennie Lee Greene. wife
OF Samuel b. Greene, and member of the
church.
OLD SCANDAL REVIVED.
IT was charged that Mr. Howell became
infatuated with Mrs. Greene and neglect
ed his wife and children. Mrs. Howell
complained that her husband had treated
her unkindly. and In December. 1897. she
had him arrested ON her complaint of as
sault.
Mr.. Greene named the clergyman as
I'm suit for divorce which
he brought against his wife I'm March. 1899.
Mr. Howell denied Mr.. Greene's aliega-
tiens.
During all these troubles Bishop Potter.
with the majority Of the vestrry. stood
by the rector. and his action aroused the
bitter hostility of those who opposed Mr..
Howell
II subsequently became the Bishops
duty to depose Mr.. Howell from the min
istry, which he did at the latter's request
while Mr.. Howell was serving in St
Mary's church. Cold Spring. N. r.. on
May q 1899.
The enmity displayed 10 Bishop Potter
by Mr.. Howell's opponents I'm st. Johns
church did not cease with Mr.. HoweIrs
departure, and the advent OF a new rec
tor.
Since Mr.. Milbank assumed charge of
the parish i'm 1899, he has Iabored inces-
sanity 10 heal the breach, bur HIS progress
has not been satisfactory. His failure he
attributes TO the stories which he COM
plains OF, and he is determined to stop
them. s~..N. l.., %