The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-08-30

prominent Keokuk family, in 1855.
They had but one child, a little girl,
who died at an early age, while Mr..
and Mrs. Clemens were in Nevada.
When Orion Clemens went west to
take up his duties as secretary OF Ne
vada territory under the appointment
of President Lincoln, his brother Sam
uel Langhorn Clemens, who after
wards won literary distinction as
Mark Twain, accompanied him as his
assistant or private secretary, and it I
was in this western country that the
younger Clemens acquired inspiration
and began his career which made him
famous not only in the United States
but in other lands. If the great hum
orist had not been given this oppor-
tunity of his youthful an unmarked
life-race by the appointment of his
brother, and that brothers generosity
III sharing the appointment with him,
Samuel L. Clemens, not ct all prom
Using at the time, might have drifted
about in life, as many another, his
genius hidden under a bushel, and
died t'unwept. unhonored and unsung."
Sometimes unseen and unappreciated,
very little incident contributes to
make big life.
All this preliminary to telling the
true story OF the trial, conviction and
accommodation Of Orion Clemens
for heresy. It was an epoch in the
religious history of not only Keokuk,
but OF the country. It was mentioned
and discussed in secular and religious
papers generally as an incident OF
note. It's rehearsal here, however.
may serve purpose as an echo Of
the past.
From all outward signs Urpn Glenn
ems had been an exemplary member
Of the First Westminster Presbyterian
church. Moral. honest, generous,
philosophical and thoughtful, he went
his way, attending church with atten-
tive interest and performing all the
duties demanded of him as devout
and consistent worshiper, until he
mounted the platform as lecturer in
the modest auditorium at Red Ribbon
hail. on May 1879. during the days
Of the red ribbon temperance move
ment, when Bontecue, the temper
ance apostle, went abroad in the land.
The title of the lecture was: Man,
the Architect of Our Religion" The
/, sentiments of the lecture were con-
sidered far different from the teach
| ing Of the church of which he was a
member, and he was cited before the
session Of the church to answer the
i charge of heresy. DR.. Willis Green
i Craig, an eminent divine, since more
4 prominent in high connection with
the Mccormick Theological Seminary
at Chicago, and enc time having the
dictinction of being moderator Of the
4 Presbyterian general assembly, held
1 at Washington, D. c., in 1893, was
pastor Of the Keokuk church at the
time. DR.. Craig only recently died at
his home in Chicago, his remains be-
ing taken to the town of his birth,
4 Danville, KY, for interment.
He prominence VI lie CndidSeSIc
participating and the fact that the
offense originated from a lecture de
livered in public hall, gave the trial
more than ordinary prominence and
much significance, and here is given
summary Of the proceedings, the
conclusion of the ecclesiastical court
and the final sentence of excommuni
cation.
P. T. Lomax was lawyer, digni
fled and gentlemanly Virginian, and
also clerk OF the session. and here Is
copy OF the citation summoning Mr.
Clemens to trial.
ITO Orion Clemens:
You are hereby cited to be and
4 appear before the session OF the First
4 Westminster church of Keokuk, al
the pastors study of said church, or
: Saturday, May, 1879, at 3 o'clock p
M, then and there to answer the
charge preferred against you of com
mon fame, copy of which charge
with the specifications under it, witt
B the proofs appended to it. is herewith
delivered to you in order that the
matter may be heard and decided. B.
order of the session.