Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-06-06
HEBRON IS GUILTY.
Congregational Council Dismisses
Him From the Ministry.
HOLDS HIS WIFE WAS WRONCED
Name is Stricken From the Church
RolIs-No Defender for the Accused
lis Ready to Accept the Disgrace
The Verdict.

Grinnell, June 5.-George D. Heron
was dismissed formally from the
Christian ministry and from member
ship in the Congregational church by
a council called to sit in Judgment up
on him. The council, including repre-
sentatives of eight churches in the dis
trict and summoned by the members
of the Congregational church of this
city, found Mr.. Heron guilty on each
of the three counts in the indictment.
Verdict of the Council.
The finding was as follows:
'At a council held in the First Con-
gregational church of Grinnell, on the
4th of June, 1901, to consider the right
to church membership and ministerial
standing of George D. Heron, the fol-
lowing findings were rendered:
"First-That the charge of immoral
and unchristian conduct is sustained
by the findings of the court which at
Algona on March 81. 1901, granted a
decree of divorce to Mary Everhard
Heron from her husband on the
grounds of cruel and inhuman treat
ment
Wife Praised for Her Conduct.
s.Second-The same charge is furth-
er sustained by evidence presented to
the council showing that George d.
Herron's manner toward the wife who
consecrated her life to the effort to
make him happy, relieve him of care,
and aid him in what she believed to be
his high calling, has been that OF un-
feeling and selfish Indifference, and at
least since 1896 of studied neglect, cul-
minating in heartless desertion and
the final tragedy of divorce.
"Third-Ihe same charge is still
further sustained by confession con-
tanned in the paper written by Mr..
Heron in his own defense and read
to the council. In the paper he denies
the right of society to sanction or un-
do the marriage tie between man and
woman, presents a view of conjugal
relation, parenthood, and the home
which is abhorrent to enlightened
Christian sentiment, and which con-
firms the council in the opinion that
this action of George D. Heron is
simply the criminal desertion of a
worthy wife and devoted mother by
man who has deliberately falsif1ed
his marriage VOWS.
Stricken From Church Rolls.
"In view of these findings it is re-
solved:
nell association that the name of
George D. Heron be dropped from its
roll of membership. Resolved. also,
That we express our conviction
that George D. Heron has forfeited
All right to be known by the churches
| of our faith and order as a minister
of the gospel, and that he is by vote
of the council deposed from the Chris.
tian ministry"
Decision at No Time In Doubt.
The council convened at II o'clock
yesterday morning and proceeded at
| once to the consideration of the bust
ness in hand. There was an evident
feeling that the result practically was
determined upon, and the desire of
the council was that it should be car.
ried out with as little sensationalism
as possible. Eight churches from the
following places were represented:
Chester Center, Newburg, Gilman,
| Marshalltown, Iowa City, Oskaloosa,
Mitchellville, Des Moines.
| DR.. A. L.. Frlsble, pastor emeritus OF
Plymouth church, called the meeting
to order, and the Rev. j. W. Cowan of
Newton was made Moderator, with the
Rev Mr.. Marsh of Burlington as
scribe. ]. P. Lyman, for the Commit.
tee of the Grinnell church, which had
the matter in charge, stated the case
against DR.. Heron. He recited the
proceedings of the court at Algona, the
Heron relations at Grinnell, and the
charges brought against the defendant
In response to request Mr.. Lyman
read the correspondence which the
committee had had with Professor
Heron relative to the manner Of call
ing the council, in the formation OF
which Professor Heron had been in
vited to take part. To this invitation
Professor Heron had declined to take
part.