The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-11-30
WADSWORTH SUSPENDED
Methodist Conference Committee
Finds Minister Guilty-Facts in
His Favor Suppressed.

the Hartwell church, charged with
immoral conduct, was declared guilty
of imprudence by the committee ap'
pointed at the North Georgia Method
ist Conference to investigate his case,
and his suspension for one year was
recommended to the conference.
In a statement that is replete with
cutting references to the conference.
DR.. Madsworta appeals his case 20
the public. His statement, which he
gave to the Atlanta Constitution, re-
fers to the foreordained degree OF
reigning and corrupt ecclesiastical oil
garchy'
Regarding the woman who testified
against him, he makes comparison
with the act of Potiphar's wife, and
declares that her husband had found
her crying from pique" after he had
resisted her. Regarding Bishop w.
w. Duncan he says: Irritable and
insulting, ard autocratic in manner,
and manifestly bordering on imbectl-
ity."
The North Georgia Conference. de
cIs1es DR.. Wadsworth, contains
considerable band of whisperers and
assassins of character; of self-seeking
ecclesiastical political tricksters." The
good rlen of that body, he declared,
are Unconscious slaves, driven by
the whips of itinerant taskmasters."
The statement of DR.. Wadsworth,
in part, is as follows:
"Since the flaming headlines of last
Wednesday announced the arrest OF
my character, through the Illegal pro.
cedure of my presiding elder, and tie
appointment Of a second committee
of vestigation-without precedent in
such cases in the thirty-focr years OF
my connection with the conference
have felt that the matter was 40 long
er mine, but belonged to the pubic.
"When the public clearly under.
stands this case, it cannot avoid see
ing that the climax which was reach
ed in my suspension was species OF
persecution which would do credit to
the days of the Spanish inquisition.
| "On March II. last, in my regular
round of pastoral work, visited an
unattractive aud unrefned woman for
THE FIRST time in the little city or
Hartwell. AS specimen of what she
is she says in her accusations that |
made commentary remarks about her
ring. She tried to put herself in 4
sentimental way upon me; and re.
pulsed her kindly, and Immediately
left the house. Her husband found her
crying over what had happened-part-
ly, suppose, from pique and partly
from shame. She had to explain,
and, in a modified way, played the
act of Potiphar's wife, and told a
story which grew as the weeks went
on. but never reached what ought
to have been called a case Of real
immortality. l told her husband the
next morning practically what had
taken place, and in the afternoon
his presence put the blame where it
belonged-upon her.
The little city of Hartwell was
stirred to it's depths and at least
a5 per cent Of the 300 resident men,
bership o. the Methodist church stood
enthusiastically by their pastor. The
community of men and women, so far
as the truth of these charges was con-
cerned. stood in almost as large a
proportion. The large congregation OF
last Sunday passed unanimously the
highly complimentary resolutions ask
ing for my return. They brought for
presentation to me at conference, not
dreaming what was coming, a hand
some gold watch-as token OF their
confidence and love.
"'In the light of these facts, it is
obliged to be clear, to every unpreju-
diced mind, that to arraign man q
second time of such a charge can
be nothing short of pure persecution
and the product of hidden hate"
It is charged that the endorsement
of Ir. Wadsworth by his church at
Hartwel was not given consideration.
A telegram was sent jointly to Bishop
Duncan, Mr.. ]. w. Williams Of Hart.
well and Mr.. A. A. McCurry, also OF
Hartwell. which was said to have been
withheld by Bishop Duncan.
It is claimed that the committee
investigating the charges against DR..
Wadsworth had no knowledge OF. the
receipt of the telegram from Dr.Wads-
worth's church members.