Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-29
IRVINE VS.. TALBOT CASE
QUESTION TO BE DECIDED BY THE
BOARD OF INQUIRY.
Extended Statement by Dr.. Irvine To
day-Seeks Vindication--Bishop
Talbot's Position,


bishop ought bishop write defamatory
letters in secret in order to injure ANY
member of the ministry"
This IL the question which will be de-
cided at the meeting of the board Of inquiry
in the case of Irvine against Talbot. said
the Rev. Ingram n. w. Irvine. the plaintiff
In the celebrated case. today IN discussing
the charges which have been made against
him
my reinsta tement." continued DIR. Irvine
'is OF secondary consideration when con-
trasted with the above query. OF course I
wish 10 have the unjust deposition removed
but | wish also entirely without malice. to
be INDICATED in the sight of God and my
friends.
Motive of Presentment.
In discussing the motive OF the present.
mcnt DR. Irvine said that 1t was because
he had persistently refused to serve conf
munio to Mrs. Emma d. Elliott of Hunt
ingdon, Pa. who is divorced. against the
wishes of Bishop Talbot
Bishop Talbot and l. along with about
Leon other members OF the ministry. said
DR.. Irvine. signed the declaration which
sent to all the bishops and clergy IN
the United States and presented to the gem
eral convention of 1898. and which prayed
for more stringent restrictions In the mat
ter of divorce and marriage.
The canons OF the church provide ex-
plicitly that a man or woman divorced on
any charge. except that of adultery, cannot
receive the holy sacrament In the face of
this Bishop Talbot. while he publicly sup
ported the petition. covertly and by secret
meetings with Mrs. Elliott who is a woman
divorced on the grounds of DISCRETION sought
to have her remain in the church.
Who Was Most Consistent
Now. who was the most consistent
Bishop Talbot or I? Did we not. both of
us. sign the petition mentioned? Is it not
curious that Bishop Talbot. although he
had written me saying that Mrs. Elliott
was. by canon. accommodated. should
by other methods seek to retain her as a
COMMUNICATE?
Referring to the letter which Bishop Tai
bot is said to have written DR.. Upjohn, in
which the former termed DR.. Irvine a
plausible romanCer had charged that he
was deposed for gross immortality and
that for twenty out of the thirty years
of his service in the ministry he was UNI
der ecclesiastical discipline" DR.. Irvine
said that Bishop Talbot has placed himself
in most awkward position.
That letter to DR.. Upjohn was unwar-
ranted and cruel said DIR. Irvine since
1t was first of all a gross subterfuge. 1t
was used secretly as weapon against me.
to deprive me of all sympathy, respect and
even maintenance.
Allegations Cannot Be True
I'm the first place it is an utter impossi-
bllity for these allega lions to he true. The
church law requires that a minister shall
not be eligible to admittance to another
diocese when leaving one unless he bears
the letter demissary.' This letter shows
that the departing minister has clear
record; that his life is beyond reproach.
free from error in religion yeiousness
in life. and must be signed by the bishop.
How could l. therefore. be guilty of the
charges made against me?
Bishop Whitehead of the diocese Of
Pittsburg. Bishop Adams of the diocese of
Easton. Md, the last two dioeeses in which
/ served as well the bishops of all the
dioceses in which lived prior te<this. have
given me these letters which secured me
the desired admission to new fields
Accusation Of Fraud.
Bishop Talbot has in his allegations in
directly accused his brother bishops of
fraud upon the church in their issuance OF
these letters to me. The bishops whose
names he quotes in his attack upon my
character have been placed in a position
which reflects discredit upon their reputa-
tons, or Bishop Talbots accusations are
absolutely false-and i know that the word
of these gentlemen cannot be impugned."
DIR. Irvine said, in conclusion, that he is
not member of the Catholic Club nor has
he ever made any accusations at the club
or had words with DR.. Cpjohn.