The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-08-01

toriy explained his reputation was forever ruined
This seemed to pacify him somewhat, and in
a calmer mood. he said there no real dis
crepancy between him and his accuser that he
had reported and paid for exactly the number
of bushels of wheat that had been threshed that
the other ten bushels Screenings" for which
no charge made and which he always
gave to his negroes and was being sold for their
benefit. | rejoiced to hear this, told him
so, and that the explanation satisfactory to
me, but that the accusation against him, and
unless cleared up by the Judgment of in
whom the people had confidence, public opinion
would be against him and the church of which he
was member. To this he replied that great in
justice had been done him and that he would not
appear. | then told him that if he did not ap-
pear the only resource left the session was to
summon him second time, and if he did not
appear to take the evident and issue the case
He left much Modified but apparently determined
ever.
In due time the day for trial came. The mem
bers of the session and the witness to the charge
OF drunkenness were present After waiting a
while, much to relief, in walked the accused
calm and sedate The charge of drunkenness
taken up, and when it and the specifications
had been read the accused, without waiting for
testimony, made frank confession, with acknow-
ledgment of his sincere sorrow and a promise
that, by the help of God he would not be guilty
again. The easily disposed Of by
sentence of reprimand before the session and an
nouncement of the facts from the pulpit
Soon after this decision reached the wit
ness in the graver appeared and its trial
was begun. He stated the facts contained in
the reports in circulation he understood them
and had given them currency. When he got
through, l, enlightened by the conversation had
held with the accused took the witness in hand
IN cross examination, brought out the fact that
in threshing wheat it customary to make no
charge for screenings" that ten bushels of trash
wheat was not an excessive amount for the size
and character of the crop in question: and that
in the light of these facts, which he had not con-
sdered, there were no grounds for the charge of
dishonesty which had been made. The accused
had listened with intense interest to the state
ments of the witness and to every question and
answer without saying a word. l then asked
each member of the session if he had any aues-
ton he wished to ask, and when this was through
turned to the accused and asked him if he had
anything he wished to say He arose with tears
i'll his eyes and tremor in his voice and said:
Mr. Mcllwaine, l want to thank you sir, |
want to thank you! 1 now see that but for this
investigation my reputation in the community
would have been ruined. l am perfectly satisfied
to leave the matter in the hands of you gentle
men,"
The issued in the complete ex-
honeration of the accused. statement of the
facts also ordered to be made from the pulpit
of Amelia Church. When this point was sug-
gested the old gentleman arose and asked that
the announcement be made not only at the court
house, but also at another preaching point as
injurious reports were being circulated in that
neighborhood. After prayer the session adjourn
ed, all parties thankful to God that the steps
taken and the conclusion arrived at were salts
factory. After that never heard of the slightest
departure from the path of Christian recttude
the part of that worthy man. So far from the
incident producing alienation, it bound us all to-
gether more closely in sympathy and Christian
fellowship.
l am persuaded that of the pressing needs
of the church in all its branches is faithful and
exemplary discipline. There have been in
the not remote past which have brought contempt
on the church and done ncalcuable harm to the