The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-06-06
PASTORS LIFE
BLIGHT LIFTED
Though Past Sixty Years of Age
Episcopal Rector Has Given His
Time to Declaring His Inno-
cence-Vindication Comes
at Last.

/ Z, uUU WnO
-FOUR years ago rented a public hall
ana before thousands denounced as
| Mucous the allegations that convict
/ ed him before a court Of his clerical
| peers mas Deen reinstated, and once
| more, on sunday, at the age of sixtv-
FOUR, will renew his calling as a duly
| ordained minister OF the gospel
/ IhrouBh the long years that have
| lnterNehed since he was Ousted from
1 his church, in consequence az CHARGES
| of immortality brought against him
| by young woman who sang in his
| choir, he has made a tireless Dlea TO
| be declared guiltless and restored to
position OF honor in the priesthood
that cast him out.
Fourteen years of suffering and of
human tragedy In that span of time
the girl, upon whose testimony Mr.
| Williams was convicted and deposed
as rector of Christ Episcopal Church.
has grown to wOmanhOod. the man
has entered old age. She still is come
~, robust. The mans hair is thinned
his moustache is as white as snow
ana the wrinkles of age have fur
rOwed his face and brow. But today
he is entering upon a new life-a life
OF VindicatiOn and honor, and renun-
citation Of those who have embittered
his career.
For Bishop Harding and the other
officials of the Church who have
voted him back into the pulpit he
has only praise. His fight of fourteen
years is won.
Never Wavered I'm His DcniaIs.
Before and during his trial Mr.. Will
liams steadfastly protested his inno-
cence, and branded as a composition
or lies the testimony on which ne was
convicted. Then he denounced his
trial as a proceeding manifestly I'M
iair and prejudiced. He appealed to
the civil courts and was sweepingly
sustained.
The late Bishop SatterIee then APP
pealed this decision to the Supreme
Court OF the District, and il was re-
versed. Mr.. Williams and his friends
among the laity and clergy used strong
endeavors to have the case reopened.
pointing out glaring contradictions and
vital impoSsibilitieS in the testimony
of witnesses for the prosecution, and
attacking the verdict of the court as
being against common justice and de-
structive of the usefulness of the Epis-
copal discipline. Bishop Satterlee re-
manned firm. and there for ten years
the case rested.
Then, four years ago, the city was
thrown into a turmoil by announce
ment from the Rev. Mr.. Williams that
he meant to rent a public hall and
plead for the awakening Of a public
sentiment strong enough TO compel a
reopening Of his case. Two brothers
of the girl, who had stripped tn,
clerical robes from the prcsf FL his
days of success, came forvt-o with
fire IL their eyes, defying tho man to
drag again into the mire Of public
gaze the name of their sister.
But the deposed minister rented the
hall, told his story appealingly. butt
did not mention the girls name. There
was no trouble.
Cannot Understand Charges.
In commenting on his reinstatement
last night at his residence, 81 RAN
doiph Street, Northwest, DR.. Williams
declared his complete eNoneration and
reinstatement were based on evidence
OF such an overwhelming and indis-
putable character that the standing
committee which heard the witnesses.
headed by DR.. Randolph II. NIcKim.
recommended unanimously that
Bishop Harding reinState him.
was indicated at the first trial"
DR.. Williams said. What reason the
board had for placing this charge
upon me in the face of this 1 do not
know, nor have I or my attorneys ever
been able to ascertain.
Il was reinstated upon new and
overwhelming evidence which was
submitted to a committee headed by
DR.. Mckim, and the evidence was so
conclusive that the committee voted
unanimously requesting that Bishop
Harding reinstate me, and my rein
statement last saturday was a result
of this.
why this charge should have been
placed upon me l do not know II
mas been a greater trial than people |
realize, and l have been criticised for
my efforts to publicly prove my inno-
cence. l did this in the spirit that
United States senator or any public
official would seek to Vindicate him
self from an insignia such as was
placed on me. The girl is living in
this city now"
DR.. Williams pointed with pride to
ms family tree, declaring that he was
a descendant Of the House of Tudor. |
from the time of Henry VII.
Took Oath ON Saturday.
Al II o clock saturday morning the !
gray haired man stood before Bishop !
Alfred Harding, in the bishops chapel |
al ms residence. 14O7 Massachusetts !
Avenue. and again took the oath OF |
realty 10 church and its laws which has
admitted him to priesthood many years !
ago. Four members of the clergy with
whom he may again associate himself |
as an equal the Key. Randolph II Nc !
Kim. who headed the committee which |
passed upon the evidence which re- |
moved the blot Of shame from Mr. VIII |
Gheh. the Rev. David Barr and the |
Rev. Charles r. Sontag were present to !
witness the ceremony of reinstatement. |
and 10 welcome their brother again |
into the fold.
Had Never Lost Home
after yf2rs OF ple2diiIng; publicity and
hopelessly abandoned his cause, for |
lack of encouragement from the pow
nsideratiOn. Several months ago,
however, Bishop Harding agreed TO |
submit the case once more TO the stand |
ing committee OF the diocese. The rea-
son given by the members Of this COM |
mittee for this action was the 6iscov- |
cry of new evidence.
The first step toward reinstatement |
was favorable action at the hands of
this standing committee. composed of |
four members of the clergy, the Rev |
Dr. McKim, the Rev. r. p. Williams. |
the Rev. Charles Buck and the Rev. G. |
Ernest Smith, and three members OF !
the laity. Melville Church, ]. Holds |
worth Gordon and DIR. w. p. Reeves. !
Acting with the bishop, this committee |
made reinstatement justifiable This, |
however. removed but one of the OBJ |
staCleS between Mr.. Williams and the |
office to which he again asnirad