New-York tribune., 1901-06-05
HEBRON EXPELLED.
CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL AT GRIN
NELL VOTES HIM OUT OF
THE CHURCH.
HE DEFENDS HIS THEORY or MARRIAGE,
DENIES DEsERTION OF CHILDREN.
AND TELLS WHY HE STANDS
BY MISS RAND

BY MISS RAND
rz-inneu Iowa June 4-The case Of Professor
George n Heron. charged with conduct unbecom-
ing a minister. called for trial to-day in the
CONGREGATIONAL Church here. Thirteen churches
Of the district were represented by twenty-siX
iurors al the council. After hearing the case the
council voted unanimously 10 eXpel him from the
Church for conduct unbecoming a Christian and
a gentleman"
No defence was anticipated. and the evidence
introduced in the Heron divorce suit was expected
70 form most OF the testimony Considerable sur
prise was expressed when it announced that
DR. Heron had sent letter in regard 10 his own
case.
Professor Herron's letter bore date of May a be
fore his marriage to Miss Rand. II was addressed
20 the committee which called the council. and he
said he could join in the call invited TO DO
as he had friend that he knew Of in the Con-
gregational Church ministry in Iowa In regard
10 the divorce. which the basis Of the proceed
ings, he that the council had no alternative
save dismiss him the face Of the fact that
his wife had secured divorce from him. as he would
offer no counter evidence He did desire 10 say
however. that he did desert his children. he
had long held the principle that the children be
longed to the mother. and In cases Of separation
If she desired them she should have them Be
sides in this the children would have chosen
their mother. they not babes. but arriving
at years of capacity choose for themselves. on
the point OF financial provision. it was the right
and duty of the mother TO accept it as matter
of simple Justice to herself and the children, and
as to what friends enabled him TO make it was
something the public had right to inquire into so
long as those concerned we're satisfied.
The letter continued:
AS council. you are acting in defence of what
you believe be the sacredness Of the family in
sttutiOn, against which ! am 10 you an onenuer
comPe et et me say to You that Do not
that the present marriage system IS sacred or
OF the liberty and love and truth which make life
thoroughly believe in the vital and abiding
union of one man with one woman as a true basis
toToen must ne aconoricalIl freefree 10 use their
powers to the fullest eKtent-free from the inter
ference Of legal and ecclesiastical force, and free
10 correct their mistakes before can have d
family that is noble built unions that are good
Lives that are essentially one cooperative IN the
love and truth that make oneness, need no law OF
STATE cb or ShqFe m TO R6a OF or 69e 6eP Is mem
Ia bIas,rI@ro1t & S,r tba otSer hand no law; In
the universe has right TO keep together those
in freedom that love can find its own. or truth
blossom in the soul, or other than a slaye-ndividu-
ality unfold 1t IS the business Of society 10 see
10 IL that every child is surrounded by the full
business Of society 10 see its fatherhood
and motherhood Of every child, as well rs 10 hold
ciety to know every child Of woman a and
IeslIinate G'la oI COG ana @elcot.e ~ - & az an
hut Il the business of society 10 unite or
Love must he set free and liberty must be trusted il
noble and beautiful homes are to spring up TO
The coercive family system is filling the earth with
Faisebood and bvpocTiev misery and soul aisinte-
grafton, and is perpetuatng the morality OF slaves
and HAIRS. In times past men have thrown away
tyranny and wrong There is a new world coming
whose way can be made ready only by those who
perhaps everlasting disgrace as the price Of their
OF the monstrous things charged against me in
this Wild food Of devastating gossip know myself
And. in the long run, that is enough-enough that
soul.
II is said and assumed that the separation in
question was obtained in order that marriage
between Miss Rand and myself might be consum-
mere matter Of ~ narTiaee m is concerned bat Is rot
true for the causes that led TO this crisis existed
and myself entered into this crisis and that when
ever and wherever she will permit me to announce
her 10 the world as my wife whether 1t be to-
morrow or next week or years hence, whether it
be before your council meet after, shall do so.
For years she has lived a life of selfess devotion
obligation Of my life. giving everything asking
side That instead Of the reputed wealth of 02 PGbe
p p5dnfs she "GId come to % me practically without
away for her lifetime. and she dependent upon her
mother for bread Again. the world has ruthiessiy
taken away her good name-the good name of one
as innocent as the babe born last highland this
has been done by that part OF the world where you
or this council live, upon whose college campus she
of beenP eI Ps Service IL her inheritance and seven years
Yet NOT because OF any or all of this would take
m must either affirm or deny the unity of my life
truthful the world IN no otheT WaH than cam bT bS
establishing the fact of this unity After this
storm or savage and senseless wrong has broken
upon her. after the world has taken everything n
values from her. after all she has given and lost
after sne has been the source and inspirer of 50
much OF such worR ] have done after / havt
after she has dedicated my life 10 the socialis,
cause OF freedom. for TO leave her 10 face IN,
worlo alone or to wait hour after she zyouIf
permit me 10 announce her my ute.
would Re for me TO commit spiritual suicide am
70 Try TO deceive the world in order 10 win for M,
self some place or work in Il, some fragment :,
faith from II. If this confession of life Is a,il :,
you and TO all the world. then let il be evil: If -
any one on the earth IL is good. that one Ia, a
be good. IL free and truthful wing be The e, a. !
outcome of things. then the outcome will yindicat,
1 dismissed from the Church and its minis,~-
for what you consider 10 be conduct unbecomiri
minister and gentleman. And your view of ~
life have lived with such service as | have tria
TO render only seems TO you TO confirm Your ind >
rnent. 10 which must be added the voluntary festi
rnony OF this letter So shall accept dismiesa
IN the terms In which you give II, ard ] shall no
try TO evade the consequences of your decision
fhal not again speak minister Of the ChurcI
nor seek its fellowship. act it's Representa-
tive, nor use it's language. IL anything NAV hers
any cause IL shall be done or said with the cleo
understanding that the Church is free from any rs
sfonsibiliiy for such service, and that / am di,
owned by the Church because of fits Judgment uno
my life and character F
JUDGMENT AGAINST W. ID. WASHRURN
judgment for 1856 was entered vesterds
AaeAi0St ex- Senator William d. Washhurn In f.u,