The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-10-14
FORMER PASTOR
IS EXPELLED
Methodist Conference Dis
misses NJ. F. Grove From
the Church and Ministry
FINAL APPEAL DENIED
Charges of immortality Are
Unanimously Sustained by
Sixty Four Clergymen
Oakland once San Francisco Call.

Oakland Office San Francisco Call,
1016 Broadway, Oct IL.
Because it was proven that he had in
he might be free to marry another
woman, NJ. F. Grove, former pastor Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church South
Of Visalia, was dropped from the min
istry and membership in the church to-
day. The decision was at a conference
at Ashbury Church. this city. The ex-
pulsion Of Grove was made final by the
unanimous vote Of the pastors of sixty
four churches.
The action Of the conference was the
result Of an appeal by Grove from the
verdict Of expulsion rendered by the
Fresno District Conference, which was
sustained by the annual conference In
July Of this year. The case dates back
to 1902, when Groves first wife was
granted a divorce from him on the
grounds Of cruelty and deeertion A
year later Grove married again, and
shortly afterward charges Of immor-
ality were preferred against him. They
were sustained by the Fresno District
Conference
Grove appealed and his case was tried
at the meeting Of the annual confer
ence on January IA, 1904. The verdict
OF the district conference was sus-
tanned. Then Grove appealed to the
present conference, with disastrous re-
suits.
After the appeal had been read the
Rev. ]. A. Bachelor Of San Joaquin
district, who acted as president at both
the former trials, reviewed the case.
He said that the trials had been fair
and that he could see no reason why
the verdicts should not be sustained.
At the close of Mr.. Bachelors address
the Rev. J. j. N. Kenny of Fresno made
a strong argument in favor Of denying
the appeal In conclusion he said:
This is a time when the church cannot af-
ford TO temporize on this question The ease
with which divorces are secured threatens the
home life OF the nation. The nine men who
tried this case are men Of integrity and intel
ligence. who love their homes. and they say
the gospel. We cannot afford 70 taxa any
other action
Grove was present when the appeal
was read and the vote taken, but he
took no part in the proceedings and
made no comment on the decision.
The following committee and confer
ence boards We're appointed to-day:
suppIies-w. P. Baird. Oakland: D. Harri-
son. Bonneville; p. c. Fletcher. Alameda: q.
P. Wilmington. Yorkeville and Hopland; o. c.
Coppage, Mllville circuit.
Missions-C. E. W. Smith, H. NJ. Mcknight
J. A. Bachelor, W. p Thomas J. c. Robert
son. ]. W. Potter. H. Adams. II. P. Andrews.
]. L. HUMPHREYS
Sunday-schools-O. l. Russell W. H. Cur
rim, ]. E. Squires. Frank Howe. H. Hunsaker.
George Hatcher
Education-Joseph Emery, W. J. EardIey,
Edward ]. Page. c. Z. Clarke, J. P. Strother
W. A. Booher, J. T. Bell, ]. L. Jones, H W.
Fisher.
Church extension-A- L. Paul, J. c. wooten,
". J. Fenton. W. E Phillips, w. e Montgom
cry. o. ?; Noble. W. F. Clark, J. c. Simmons.
A H. Willard.
Joint board Of inance-Z. J. Need-ana. G. V.
Northey. w. A. Booher. r. z. Mum, H. NJ
Forsythe. W. F. Coffin, John Potter.
Epworth League-C. Todd Clark, L. c. WI
son. ]. B. Needham, W. H. Waste, c. R.
Wicks. J. B. RAIDER.
Bible Society,". C. wooten. L. C. Renfro,
AdmIssions~A doom. W. o. waggoner, A.
L. Paul.
Examination boards: Admission on trial
year-W. p. Andrews. z. ]. Needhan, L p
Shearer; second year-C. E. W. Smith, H.
Neate, ]. E. Squires; third year-P. N. Blank
enship, o. p. Noble. W. A. Booher fourth
year-N. A. Whitmer, w. z. Phillips, J. L.
Jones'