Year: 1875

QUINCY, ILL, PASTOR CONVINCING HIS CON-


ER-HIs TRIAL.


In the trial of the Rev. Mr.. Hoffman. which is pro-
crossing Quincy, Ill., the latest testimony is given by
a brother witness, follows:-


The pastor we had the year before Hoffman came was
an elderly man. and when Holman came became
attached to him and liked him very much; he had been
there until some time in May Jupe, when certain
transaction came to my knowledge and told Holman
about it, he came INTO the store and took him out
the of the store; we were particular friends;
told him that had heard that he had been left alone at
certain house in the afternoon with young lady,
and that in leaving he had tried kiss her. she would
not allow it, and he tried to persuade her that they


WERE BROTHERS AND SISTERS


in the church, and that there was harm in it, the
young lady refused and ho asked her say nothing
about it, saying that If the old folks heard of it they
void make trouble she promised him she would not
tell about it, when told him about IL he said he did
not mean the girl any harm; that she was nice, scnsi
BILE girl and dd not want TO do her harn and will
ing make any apology to make the matter right with
me; he said he would again; the Tuesday fol-
lowing he back and VIC talked the matter over;
He said he was going to Conference and would like TO
come back to Rushvilc and that If would not object
he would promise me on his honor Christian gem
teman that should never hear anything OF the Kind
from him again; | SAID to him, Brother Hoffman, go
on and nothing will be said about IL - he seemed to
be much affected and shed tears; this last converse.
ton on Tuesday; on the Saturday following it
to my knowledge that he had visited certain
house, and that, in taking leave Of the lady, had


IN THE PARLoR;


after heard Of il went out of my way TO go to his
house. he out on the porch, and we altcrward
walked down to the gate; asked him If he remcm-
bcrcd what he said the Tuesday before he said that no
did; then told him that had heard that he was at
certain house that day, and in leaving the lady had
kissed her a number Of times; he SAID in reply that
there nothing wrong between them, that the lady
innocent; told him the circumstances, and he
said he surprised in his life when the lady
came up to him, put her arms around his neck and
kissed him, without expectation or solicitation; we
talked about it while, and he SAID she put her arms
around his neck ana Kissed nlmi iold MN he ought
not to try to preach the next day. because he told
many stories about it; hc said IL | would
come and hear him preach, he wouldn't try 10
back to Rushville after Conference he said they
couldn't do anything against him but ccnsurc him. and
that would bring great many honest people into
trouble and IT would he best to keep it still; he made
me promise TO go to church, which did; on the Tues
day following he went to Conference; he knew how
got the inormation person who was witness to the
kissing told me- when Hoffman got ready to leave tho
house he took up hls hat rested his elbow


PIANO;


the lady up to him. put her arm around his neck;
he put his around her and they kissed several
times; after that they sat down again, when the per
son who saw them IN and confronted
them; at that time the gentleman OF the
not expected TO live; they Hoffman and the
LADY, told tho person who interrupted them that there
in making Hurry about w. rs thcy intended
to tell him (tho gentleman OF inc house) anyhow al
Official meeting II was stated that Elder wallace ro
qucsted letter of recommendation Tor holhah II
was also stated that Wallace would be thcrc ~ the quar-
tcrly meeting and he wanted u rtady by that time;
none was gwen 80 lar know; no resolution
adoptcd authorizing tho letter; the mater talked
about hut nothing done; the DAY he started think,
lady or two a lady who particular friend of his,
wanted to circulate petition ask ng Holman
10 rcturn she dd circulate u and got about
1ty signcrs she went to old member OF the church
TO get him TO sign IT, and he said IL best that Hon.
man should not return MIR Holman had told the old
member the circumstances Of the case; the old member
said that he did not know that Holman had done wrong
but he ought not To come back that killed the petition
and that is how the story got out in Rushvlc; II was
reported from one to another the first case, the ut
tempted kissing of the young lady, took place at pr
vatc house; church contains from $50 to 300 mem
bcrs; think about 800; don't think any one else was
present at the time hcattcmptcd to


KISS rllE YOUNG LADY;


both told me so; the second aIdr took place Mt tho
same house; no ono else present IN the room; one
person was watching them the circumstance took
place about five o'clock Holman said while attempting
10 kiss the young lady that II hc her hc wou moi
be slave TO any mans whims; she asked why he die
not kiss another young lady, naming her and he said
he was not passing u around ndiscrimnatcy; think
Holman SAID he had no recollection OF telling her about
being slave OF any mans whms; witness added there
no one else In the room ut the time; there were
others IN the house