Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-15
ST. JOHNS VESTRY
ACTS ON ACCUSER
OF DIR. RICHMOND
lans to excommunlcate
Charles A. Brown Follow
ing Minister'S Summons
Before Ecclesiastical Court

Steps for the accommodation OF
Charles A. Brown vestryman OF Old ST.
Johns Protestant Episcopal Church whom
the Rev. DR.. George Chalmers Richmond,
rector 'bames for his summons before
the Ecclesiastical Court on charges of
"Breaoh Of ordination vows and conduct
unbecomng a minister" will be taken
next Sunday. This statement was issued
by Doctor Richmond this morning.
Such action was decided upon last night,
according to the accused clergyman, at
the close of the vestry meeting which
voted to 4 to uphold Doctor Richmond
morally and financially" in the coming
trial.
Doctor Richmond wrote to Mr. Brown,
asking him to appear before him next
Sunday at the close OF the morning serv-
ice, at which time a preliminary discus
sion will be held by the Prudential Com
mittee as to whether he shall be barred
from the sacraments of the church until
he has made spiritual amends"
Mr.. Brown Is charged In the letter with
beins 'discourteous and hnchristianlike at
last nights vestry meeting ana with
working against the best interests Of the
church"
Il dislike to do what has been urged
upon me-" says Doctor Richmond, but
1 have duty to perform towards the
loyal members of the church"
REASON FOR ACTION.
According to Doctor Richmond. Mr.
Brown, his father and William T. Hamll-
ton sat together when their, resolution
calling for the resignation of the accused
rector was defeated. They laughed loudly
whenever Doctor Richmond attempted to
speak and continually called upon him to
tell the TRUTH" he says 1t was for this
reason. declares the rector, the Prudential
Committee met and took such action
Doctor Richmond declared the ecclesi-
asticai court was making yelled efforts
to stop the trial, but this, he added, he
would not permit.
ST. Johns Church owns its propeRs~~so
that should the church decide, in the
event of the dismissal of Doctor Rich
mond by the court to retain him and be-
come Independent of the diocese, the
Bishop could do nothing to stop them.
The church was incorporated in 1914 by
special act of the Legislature, and,
unlike many other Protestant Episcopal
Churches or Philadelphia, IL has never
had that charter changed so as to give
the property to the diocese.
Last nights meeting was held behind
closed doors. Doctor Richmond declared
It ended In calm mood, saying he had
frightened his adversaries into submission
by publicity. 1t opened with prayer
By the margin of a single vote, with
one member absent, the vestry decided
not only to retain the accused clergyman
but to give him financial and moral sup
port In the trial. He is to file an answer
TO the charges before the Chancellor
Henry Budd. on January IS.
For more than an hour the vestrymen |
were heard in argument after shouting /
at the top of their voices at each other, I,
and frequently tho shout of Liar" or /
Throw him out . could be heard from |
the outside. When the vestrymen left, |
however they appeared calm.
Last nights meeting was the result OF /
the action of the ecclesiastical court
The charges are based upon letters writ
ten by Doctor Richmond to Nh. Brown
and Bishop Rhinelander denouncing the
vestryman as an insincere church mem
Der and attacking the authority of the
Bishop as to Doctor Rchmonds right to
permit lay members to speak from his
pulpit