New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-06-25
DIR. MOMENT RESTORED.
HE APOLOGIES TO THE PREsBYTERY
AND is ABsoLvED OF CoNTUMACY.


AND is ABsoLvED OF CoNTUMACY.
THE Rev. DR.. Alfred II. Moment whose trial
IN charges OF contumacy and untruthfulness
was 10 begin yesterday before the Brooklyn
Presbytery made part confession and a part
exclamation before that body. He expressed MS
nenitence and asked the pardon OF the Pres
hytery Resolutions were unanimously adopted
dismissing the charges against Dr. Moment ana
directing the moderator publicly TO reouke the
accused man for his offences. This was done
r-nsr. Was only one dissenting voice in the
saoption Of a resolution removing the sentence
~ suspension upon Dr. Moment and restoring
him 10 the full powers OF a minister
ny Moment was tried by the Brooklyn Pres
bvtery some time ago on charge OF immoral
3tv The principal evidence was furnished by
the mother Of a young married woman, ana ne
vas found guilty and suspended from his mn
isterial functions Subsequently was puolished
a statement by him. in which he asserted that
nobody had dared 10 swear al the trial that ne
had been guilty OF immortality. He also defed
the Presbytery by not returning a call TO I'M
manuel Church. The Presbytery thereupon
brought charges Of untruthfuness and con-
-umacy against him, 10 which he entered plea
OF not guilty one week ago.
The meeting yesterday afternoon was held In
the Sunday school room Of the Central Presby-
terrain Church. II evident that DR.. Mo
rnent's explanation was expected. the resolu-
fions finally adopted had been prepared.
At the close Of the Presbytery's session Or.
Moment became the centre of a. handshakins
and congratulating crowd. He is now at lib
erty 10 occupy the pulpit OF the Emmanuel
Church. in Flatbush. pending the action OF the
Presbytery on the call he received from that
church He said that if his wishes were con-
suited ne would not do so until the fan. The
outcome OF his case seemed TO please him
greatly.
The ecclesiastical court was opened with
prayer by the Rev. DR. W. II. Wood. The Rev
C J. Campbell the moderator, then called the
case The Rev. Or. ]. F. Carson said that II
was his great pleasure TO announce that DIR.
Moment desired 10 make a statement regarding
his case pr. Moment read his statement with
q husky voice. He said, in part;
persuaded my brethern that the ehaTse ib q
-1resbvtery is based on misunderstanding OF What
neIinre his soul by swearing immortality against
the preceding trlal IN me sense a.. NIalsa
form. and as used The statement was true; 0Se
n me 0Tos9el would nor be regarded as true
] had intention 10 speak anything that was ny
oensure OF my brethren. nor 10 do anything 70 in
pair their confidence In me AS II IS can og SaG
that regret having made ne utterahoe GoInpSlIto
OF, and can only anew ai1rm tnst az I b5i IfS
word and INTENDED III 10 De unteIsloou ''lie'NA
a. 70 be true.
with reference 10 the charge Of conduct unhe
coming a minister, would say my brethren, that
the way Of immortality in its grosser form. l 40
confess 10 certain conduct that was unbecomlng
minister OF the Gospel. without however, any
realizafon al the time that the conduct repre-
hensible in Itself. No thought OF eYu was N my
mind at the time and at first ! was shocked and
stupehed TO that on my relating II 10 others
they deemed il 10 be reprehensible.
Dr. Moment then formally returned the call
from Emmanuel Church Or. Carson made a
speech in which he said he thought there a
ring Of sincerity in all DR. Moment had spoken.
J. V. Williamson, chairman Of the committee.
was glad this statement had been made by DR..
Moment as IL covered all the eXigencies and re-
cuirements Of the case. and IL put the accused
brother in the right line. The Rev. DR.. Foote
said that he thought there only one thing
for the Presbytery 10 do. TO accept the confess
sion.
The moderator called Or Moment TO the front
OF the platform and administered the formal re
Duke 70 him All the members rose and there
was a hush in the room. He said:
II is my duty by virtue Of the authority vested
in me, rebuke you for the offence Of which you
have pleaded guilty. ] do il I'm that spirit which
fusion has deeply moved us and welcome you
again TO the place YOU formerly held IN our hearts
and the community.
On motion Of DR.. Carson the judicial COM
fnittee then returned TO the presbytery all the
material affecting DR.. Moment that had been
referred TO il
sion OF the presbytery. had declared that II
would be a shame for the church 10 retain in
membership DR. Moment, was not present yes
terday. He has gone abroad.