Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-03
DR.. j. G. Van Ness, Well Known
Here, Develops Strange
Depravity
DECLARED MORAL DEGENERATE
Fact. Were Known in Upper Iowa Con-
ference at Last Session, But Did Not
Come out-van Ness Ha. Held Many
Prominent Iowa Pastorates - Here
Three Years.

Van Ness, d. D., former pastor of the
First Methodist church of this city, and
well known thruNIt Iowa as one OF
the brilliant menl Of the Methodist
church. That Van Ness was q moral
degenerate was declared last spring,
but absolute Notification was not es-
tablished until an investigation was
made. The result OF this investigation
was that Van Ness surrendered his
credentials In advance Of the last Up
per iowa conference at Mt. Vernon,
and the fact was so reported without
comment at the conference.
7 Young Preacher Makes Charge.
AS to the degeneracy Of Van Ness
the first open charge made was thru
Z young preacher on Van Ness own
district, Van Ness then being superin-
tendent OF the Cedar Rapids district
with residence at Mt. Vernon, the
headquarters Of Iowa Methodism
When this charge was made so re-
voting were the details that no one
could believe them. Once outspoken
however. nurmurings were found in
other quarters extending over a period
Of many years, s., that there appeared
to be no doubt but what Van Ness had
led a strange dual life.
Professor Robbins Acts.
It finally rested with Professor Kirk
w. Robbins, of the chair Of Biblical
literature of Cornell College. to take
the initiative. Robbins declared that
Van Ness must withdraw from the
ministry, and he forced his credentials
from him several weeks in advance OF
the Mt. Vernon conference.
Ministers Could Understand.
when the conference met Rev. j. B.
Albrook, D. D., officially reported the
withdrawal of Van Ness from the con-
ference, and the fact that he had sur
rendered his credentials. To the 'aity
this simple announcement meant moth
Ing, but to the ministry 1t meant More
than words dared to speak.
"surrendered his credentials"
Such an action, almost unprece-
dented, and never resorted TO without
some cause. Something was absolutely
wrong with Van Ness-all the preach
ers knew it, for If there we're not
wrong Van Ness would hold to his Gre
dentials above. all other things. These
axe the last thing a preacher would
think of giving up. He might With
draw from the conference, for reasons
best known to himself, but he would
ask for other relations, and not give
up his credentials.
From the date Of the Mt. Vernon
conference, last October, the Van Ness
matter has been talked within the inner
circles Of people. who were familiar
with them, but it was not presumed
that they would ever become public.
Not at the Marshalltown district con-
ference at Toledo, which closed We'd
nesday, was the subject even preached.
Preachers were trying to forget 1t. for
they themselves keen1y felt the shame
that must necessarily fall on them, and
their church, following an expose Of "a
members true character
Was Well Liked Here.
DIR. Van Ness was well liked In this
city. where he was pastor for three
wears, 1S97-1900. He went from here
to Mason City, where he remained two
wears, and went on the Cedar Rapids
district six years ago. Other pastor
ates OF Importance that he has held in
Iowa are Marion, whore he remained
1--WE years and built a fine church;
\Maquoketa, where he preached for
kree or four years, and Davenport. He
graduate of Cornell college and the
y Theological seminary.
Cancer Story Now Denied.
gtory that was recently sent out
ress from Iowa City, to the eff
\pr. Van Ness had cancer Of
\and would never be able to
because Of the removal of
rds, is now said to have
karged upon. 1t is true
= did have a severe
it Is now claimed
well as ever, and
er.
now making his
I'm in the outskirts
k~ase enaIMNEn