New-York tribune., 1902-07-01
CHURCH BOARD OF INQUIRY
TO TAKE UP CHARGES AGAINST
BISHOP TALBOT, WHO UN-
FROCKED DR.. IRVINE.
IBy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

Harrisburg. Penn, June 30.-In this city on
Wednesday. at the parish house of ST. Stephens
Episcopal Church, a recently appointed board
of inquiry will sit to determine whether Bishop
Ethebert Talbot of the Diocese of Central Penn
sylvania shall shall not be put on trial on
charges preferred against him by friends Of
the Rev. DR.. I. y. w. Irvine former rector of
St. Johns Church. Huntingdon. Penn. who was
unfrocked by Bishop Talbot. The board of in
quiry consists of two ministers and two laymen
from the dioceses of Pennsylvania. Central
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Central New
York the sixteen constituting a grand jury
who shall determine whether the evidence is
sufficient TO send the case to trial before a
court of bishops.
DR.. Irvine's charges were embodied in a pre-
sentiment TO the recent Episcopal convention in
San Francisco, and that the Bishop
wrongfuIy unfroeked a priest to crafty
the malice of o woman; thal he disturbed the
peaceful relations of St Johns parish to please
one Emma d. Elliott; that he was guilty of
falsehood; that he conspired to have DR.. Ir-
vine arrested and prosecuted; that he maligned
DR.. Irvine; that he violated various rules of the
diocese. and that he violated his of con-
secration a bishop and scandalized religion
and the Church by unbecoming conduct.
OF those eligible to appointment on the board
OF inquiry Dr. Irvine filed protests with Bishop
Dudley against four. and only one of them was
appointed the Rev James j. Powers of Potts
VILE and further protest will he flied against
his being permitted to sit, on the ground that
he was chairman of the committee of inyestiga-
ton appointed by Bishop Talbot to inquire into
the charges against DR.. Irvine and which re-
ported against him. The contest over the pro-
test will be the first question TO engage the
board
In the absence of Bishop Clark OF Rhode
Island, who is the presiding Bishop. Bishop
Dudley of Kentucky, will preside If the ma
jority of the board finds that there is sufficient
ground to put the accused Bishop upon MS
trial, that fact is certihed TO the pIesiu!hs
Bishop and a court of bishops conducts the
trial II there is no ground upon when 20 go
TO trial that fact is certified TO the secretary
of the House Of Bishops, and no further pro
ceedings may be had upon the charges except
there be an affidavit filed that new evidence
having a bearing on the case had been found.
DIR Irvine WIS unfrocked, after a trlal' pe-
cause Of improper language and conduct low
ard females and "scandaliZing rehsloh anu
the Church" He unsuccesstulIy invoked tne
aid of court of equity, both 10 preVemt It oilt
trial and the deposition. Dr. Irvine mas prousht
a civil action in the Huntington courts against
Rishon Talbot and Mrs. Elliott, ana the case
has been adjourned several times at lhe re-
orest of defendants counsel. Dr. IRVINE IS uc-
nounced by Bishop Talbot and his friends as
On offensive and unchristian person who mas
been driven out of several dioceses Back vi
mr. Irvine in this contest are the rev Ut
Daniel / Odell of Philadelphia, ana the heE'
Dr I Andrews Harris, OF ST. Pauis Cnurcn.
Chestnut Hill. TIC case attracted Wlde interest
,1acause ~ the prominence of those concerned
rrbe sittings of the board OF inquiry VIII pe
,,ri,Iate and the accused Bishop VIII not pe
present nor will he be represented by counsel