Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-05-01
H[RRON TURNED 0|J|'
Congregational Convention At
baxter Orders His Name
Dropped From Roll.
Suspended Until Trial on Charge
Of Immoral Conduct
Is Had.
Grinnell Church Requested TO
Form Council for Trial
Of Charles.

Baxter, May 1. By unanimous
vote the Grinnell Congregational Asso-
citation in session here has voted to
adopt resolution instructing the Grin
rell church, of which DIR. George ID.
Heron is a member, to form council
for the purpose of expelling him from
the membership rolls. The action was
taken without open discussion. and was.
merely the carrying out Of a caucused
plan that had been arranged in the fore
/ noon.
4 The Grinnell association includes
about thirty churches, about half of
which were represented. The Grinnell
church and Plymouth Congregational
church of Des Moines are the leading
| churches in the association and both
We're represented by their pastors.
| There seemed to be settled feeling
among the trustees that DR.. Heron
| should be treated with the utmost fair
ttunity for defense, but that he must
/
from their membership.
| There was no criticism of mis- public
teachings. the charges being directed
entirely against his private life.
The resolution requesting the council
was prepared by Rev. f. NJ. yittum, of
the First Congregational church Of
Grinnell, a trustee of the college.
Whereas, Charges of conduct incon-
been made in court OF justice against
a member of this association, George ID.
Heron. formerly of Grinnel; and
Whereas, The court considered these
charges sufficiently we'll established and
sos so grave a character as to justify the
granting of a divorce to Mrs. Heron,
with the custody of the children; and.
Whereas. The constitution Of the
Grinnell association makes the follow
ing provision with reference to such
1 cases:
In case a member connected with
this body shall give responsible ground
4 to believe that he is unworthy Of min
isterial office. the proper recourse is to
a council. which should be called ordi-
rarily by the church most nearly re-
lated to the accused, but may be called
by any other church or aggrieved party.
| If the accused refuse to unite in calling
q council 1t must be ex-parte.
If a minister in connection with our
A tody is deposed from the ministry he
4 shall be excluded from this body and
should be proceeded against by the
church OF which he is member in the
ordinary way.
Therefore. be it resolved, That this
|association requests the First Congre-
sational church of Grinnell to call a
council OF Congregational churches at
the earliest date practicable to advise
as to what Should be done with refer
cree to the ministerial standing and
church membership of said George d.
Heron. We advise that this council be
mutual IL possible: ex-parte II necessa-
ry: and If the Grinnell church should
TAIL to call such a council at an early
Gate, we advise that Plymouth Congre-
gational church of Des Moines should
take action in the matter: and in case
4 these above mentioned churches fail to
act, we advise the Congregational
church at Newton to call a council.
Resolved, further. That the scribe OF
this association be and is hereby au-
thorzed and requested to omit the name
&c George ID. Heron from the published
/ list of members of this association until
the next meeting of this association,
provided council called as indicated
sbove should so advise
Il Mr.. Vittum moved the adoption OF the
resolutions, and without discussion and
without dissenting vote theyswere ac-
cepted. While this delays the final ac-
ton the acceptance OF the resolutions by
the association is tantamount to expul-
4 sion. as the further action of the church
4 and council Is regarded as a foregone
4 conclusion.
\ The evidence that was to have been
introduced here in case of opposition has
u been reserved and WI pc used at the
meeting OF the church at Grinnell, and
at the later meeting of the council The
i Grnneil church will act on the matter
next Thursday evening.
i Another Charge Against Hsrron.
4 Grinnell. April 3O.-Editor of the
Times Republican: The Congregational
I people, Who meet at Baxter this week
10 discuss the Heron matter. need not
4 confine themselves to the charge of
Conduct unbecoming a gentleman and
a Christian" II said charge refers only
i to the treatment of his wife and chill
dren. An examination OF the record, as
! published in last nights T.-R discloses
\ the fact that far more serious charge
A will lie against DIR. Heron. On this rec
ord he may be convicted by the council
of perjury, subordination Of perjury and
a conspiracy to procure fraudulent
& decree. What are the facts? The petit
ton was sworn to on the Goth day OF
i March, 1901. The decree was granted
on the 21st day of March, 1901 The
statute provides that the petition mus,
be on file ten days before the beginning
of the term. but the time of fling may
be waived by the defendant. which was
done In this case.
In the petition the plaintiff swears
that she now resides with her children