The Saint Paul globe., 1904-12-28

fore a committee of investigation ap-
pointed by Presiding Bishop futile, of
ST. Louis, this committee consisting of
twelve clerical and twelve lay mem
bers appointed from three dioceses ad-
joining that of Central Pennsylvania.
This committee was appointed ten
days ago and the investigation is di-
rect outcome of incidents relating to a
case which for some time has stirred
the Episcopal chureh-that of Rev. DR..
Ingraham w. N. Irvine, now resident
of Philadelphia, who was deposed from
the ministry by Bishop Talbot several
years ago.
It is made clear from the develop
ments tonight that the names of sew
eral women will be brought into the
case.
The statement made by Mr.. Noble
recites that Bishop Talbot has pursued
DR. Irvine relentlessly, and then quoted
from a decision of the supreme court
of Pennsylvania in suit brought by
DR.. Irvine against Bishop Talbot and
Mrs. Elliott, the latter of Huntington.
Pa, to the effect:
Undoubtedly defendants combined
to prefer charges against Irvine in the
church court and acted to support the
charges. They wanted him deposed
from the ministry. That they also
hated him and by their course possibly
gratified less worthy motives than
those which prompt true Christian
to action is Of no moment except in so
far as it might have affected their
credibility as witnesses before the
court which tried him."
Mr.. Noble says this case went off for
lack of jurisdiction. He then says that
Mrs Elliott had been pronounced sex
communicate" by Bishop Talbot 'be-
cause she married, after having OBJ
tained divorce from her husband on
grounds other than unfaithfulness.'
The Letter to Upjohn
Mr.. Noble says that having deposed
Irvine from office, this bishop wrote on
Dec. 25, 1902 the letter complained of
to Rev. DR.. Samuel Upjohn, and two
years after its date, sent a copy OF
this letter to the Rev. John Fulton.
ct was after the sending of the copy
of the letter to DR.. Fulton in July,
1904" the statement goes on, that the
presenters first learned of the existence
of such letter. 1t was felt by them
that the church generally should know
the circumstances of the case, par
ticularly because of the fact that
Bishop Talbot was to sit as the final
Judge to pass on the evidence which
was produced at the trial."
The letter referred to as the letter
to DR.. Upjohn is signed by 'Ethelbert
Talbot" and charged DR.. Irvine with
immortality, and closed by referring TO
Bishops Whitaker, Whitehead, Seymour,
Scarborough, Potter, Doane, Adams,
Taylor and Rev. DR.. Leffingwell "and a
host of others who will bear out all !
have said in regard to his character.
The statement issued tonight denies
that DR.. Irvine was deposed for i'm
morality, denies that for twenty years
he was under the ban of ecclesiastical
discipline, and denies that he was ever
s11spended or inhibited as charged in
this letter. Referring to a statement
in the letter that eight bishops had
held charges against DR.. Irvine, Mr..
Noble SAYS the presenters disagree
with this and adds that DR.. Irvine de-
MES that Bishop Burgess ever made
charge of any kind against him as
alleged according to copy OF the Up
john letter.
Mr.. Noble's statement on behalf OF
the presenters closes.
This presentment is not filed by
Dr. Irvine Had he desired to serve
personal ends the civil courts would
have been open to him. The present
ers are actuated solely by motives
looking to the righting of what they
believe to be terrible wrong.
Bishop Potter Denies
Bishop Potter tonight was asked if
there was any warrant for the state
ment made in the Upjohn letter, in
which the bishops name was used. In
this letter 1t was stated the bishop
would bear out all that DR.. Talbot had
to say. In reply Bishop Potter said:
'1 have not communicated with
Bishop Talbot and have no knowledge
of such a fact. 1t would be highly
improper, however, for me to say any
thing about the case, which is now in
the nature of judicial proceeding.
But you are not personally inter-
ested in the case. are you?" was ask
ed.
Not bit, not Bit Bishop Potter
hastened to reply.
In the text of the presentment these
specifications are given:
Specification /. The said presenters dc