Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-14
EPTSCOPALIANS ARE
STIRRED BY CHARGES
AGAINST RICHMOND
Rector Accused of Breach of
Ordination Vows and
Conduct Unbecoming
Minister Prepares Defense.

Richmond. rector Of Old st. Johns Prot
estant Episcopal Church, Northern Lib
critics. at Sd and Brown streets. who
has been summoned to appear before
the Ecclesastic Court OF the Protestant
Episcopal Diocese OF Pennsylvania to
stand trial was the chief topic OF dis
cussion in Episcopal Church circles to-
day. The rector is charged with breach
Of ordination vows and conduct unbe-
coming o minister.
That Doctor Richmond openly disre-
garded the authority OF his bishop. the
Rt Rev. DIR. Philip NJ. Rhinelander, is
considered the most serious charge. He
In to make answer on January 49, 1915,
at 3:15 o'clock, at 727 Walnut street,
before the chancellor, Henry Budd. The
evidence includes number OF letters
written by Doctor Richmond to Bishop
Rhinelandcr and to Charles A. Brown,
vestryman of st. Johns ChWch, Charg-
ing the sending Of ecclesiastical spies"
to his church.
Personal determinations is the term
used in regard to the letters sent Mr.
Brown These letters are deemed by the
churchmen making, the prcsentment
against Doctor Richmond in violation OF
his vow to make himself "a wholesome
example and pattern" to his commune
cants.
These charges were preferred by the
Rev Dr. Carl Il. Grammor. the Rev. Dr.
]. b Halsey. Francis a. Lewis, Edward
8. Buckley. Jr, a. J. ID. Dixon and Morris
Earle. The respondent will be permitted
to employ counsel. The presentation
papers set forth that should Doctor Rich
mond fail TO appear for trial at the given
time ne will be liable to be proceeded
against In absentia and eX parte."
CANT HOPE FOR JUSTICE"
II can not hope for justice in an
Ecclesiastical Court. ] am sorry to say
there is neither state nor morality in the
Protestant Episcopal Church and yet 1
love IT, 1t is my church and | shall fight
to the end"
In these words Doctor Richmond sum-
med up his position today.
II his case comes to a trial Doctor
Richmond says he will have his vestry
In back of him to help him out and
should the court decide against him he
will be just as much a minister of the
Gospel as though he had not been un-
frocked.
"The Episcopal Church says it is behind
Billy Sunday and his work / say the
church isn't competent to do the work
that man is doing. II is a church of de-
celt. I remain with 1t because l love it
and want to do all in my power to help
right these wrongs. If Jesus were TO
come on this earth today he would not
recognize George Wharton Pepper and
he would refuse TO enter such a house as
Bishop Rhinelander's."
Tonight the vestry OF old st. Johns
Church will meet and a majority will
vote to support MIN. says DR.. Richmond.
There are II members in the vestry, four
of whom will be absent Charles a.
Brown. to whom some OF the Obnoxious
letters are said to have been addressed;
his father. John Brown, and William r.
Hamilton, will vote against DIR. Rich
mond he says.
On the other hand. Robert l.. Keane,
George Chandler Paul, Sr.. and George
Chandler Paul Jr.. and William A. Kelly
will vote for him. Another member who
is to be elected tonight, but whose name
is being withheld. will also vote favor
ably to the accused pastor, he says.
The charges against Doctor Richmond
are the chief topic OF conversation in
Episcopal Church circles today. That
there will be a division OF opinion is
shown in several invitations Doctor Rich
mond received this morning for him TO
speak before well-known church societies
The Ohio Society will hear Doctor Rich
mond at their luncheon at the Adelphia
Hotel on December 30, He accepted the
invitation this morning
Mr. Brown. the former rector's warden, |
when asked If he had any comment to
make or any statement for publication
regarding the letters written by Doctor
Richmond or about his statements. said;
NO for the present have nothing TO |
nay. The things he has been saying and |
writing are perfect nonsense. and l don't |
think they are worthy OF reply"
"VESTRY NOT WITH HIM"
moment later as the reporter was
leaving the office. he called back:
You might, however. deny his state
ment about the vestry being with him.
There is absolutely no truth in what he |
has said about the vestry."
Mr.. Hamilton. the former lay-reader in |
the church. said he would make no |
statement for publication for the pres
ent
Doctor Richmond Will retain an attor- |
ney TO defend him at the coming trial. |
He says that he will contest every inch |
OF the ground" and that, while he cam
not hope to be eXonerated he will give |
them run for their money
He openly called the action an en-
deayor to suppress freedom OF speech in |
the pulpit and a conspiracy on the part
10 oust him.
while am charged with violation of
my ordination VOWS" he said, there s !
nothing involving my character in the |
charges. 1t Is good fight and welcome |
the opportunity TO show up the Protestant |
Episcopal Church to the public. in the |
hope that II win bring about a needed |
reform. 1t Is a deceitful plot"
That the entire case Is "a frame-up and |
2 plot" to disfrock him, is the defense OF |
Doctor Richmond. He readily ael5noWl- |
edges having written all Of the letters and |
says he has nothing to conceal"
Il Will hght them 10 the end. he said, |
sand II i am unfrocked, shall continue |
preaching and doing what good can for /
humanity, regardless OF what a set Of |
men do"
Doctor Richmond openly called the ae-
fion an endeavor 70 suppress freedom OF /
speech In the pulpit and a conspiracy on |
the part OF the reactionary members Of Il
the clergy 20 Gust him.
Doctor Richmond claims he VIII have /
the solid support Of his vestTy when he 1
appears for trial A meeting of the Pru- |
dentlal Committee OF 81. Johns Vestry /
was held yesterday at the close 81 the /
morning service and ne SAYS Il was 4
unanimously decided 10 uphold he rector 1
Ia bis night for freedom Of speech and 1
eommon support"
JOBS FOR POLICE LINeUIsTs