Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1871 — Rev. Charles McWilliams. [ARTICLE]

Rev. Charles McWilliams.

Editors Union: I desire with your permission to make some statements through your columns, -to the public, concerning Charles McWilliams, and especially to explain on behalf of the church which he pretended to represent, how he came here as a minister. Ido this from tho fact that I have heard persons attaching blame to our worthy Presiding Elder, Rev. J. 11. Hull,, for sending him hero in his stead to attend our last Quarterly meeting. The facts in the case aro about these: McWilliams camo to Brookstpn, White Co., about tho 12th of January, during tho protracted meeting that was in progress at that place, with letters and such papers as entitled him to recognition as a regularly ordained minister of tho Winnobrunarian church, ( a religious sect in many respects like the Methodists.) Rev. Mr. Newhouse received him into tho church and at once put him at work. Ho acquitted himself with credit, as ho did here as many of your readers know. Shortly after this Bro. Hull asked Bro. Newhouse to attend a Quarterly meeting for him as he (Bro. Hull) was sick. Mr. Newhouse at tliat time was engaged in holding a meeting and as he did not like to leave, he in good faith recommended McWilliams as nn ordained minister who would bo competent to act in the case. Tho Presiding Elder appointed him on that recommendation and as many know, he gave tolerable satisfaction for a young man. After the revival meeting closed at Brookston, Mr. Newhouse sent notice of tho meeting to the Western Christian Advocate, published at Cincinnati, Ohio, and among the rest of tho facts, spoke of McWilliams coining into the Church and rendering efficient- service. It was not long after this notice went to the public, that Mr. Newhouse was written to for a description of the man, which he accordingly gave, and in that manner brought about his arrest. Now instead of its being a great disgrace upon the church as many think and say, it was a blessing to community and hence good done them through the church that ho ever came into it, for it -was that which led to his arrest. I say blessing if he is the guilty man, though he 'says i t is a mistake made in arresting him, which may bo possible. I might say further ‘.'flint at our last Quarterly Conference when the brethren divided my circuit, Mr. McWilliams offered to take those points that were taken off my hands, and the Presiding Elder appointed him to take charge of them. Ho went oneground and I understand was well received. If the charges are true, it is a great pity that a young man that] might be so useful in the world and in church should take such a course in life. I would say to all young men, to be sure and start right and there is but little danger about tho ending. —As to the guilt of Mr. McWilliams we ought not,to make up our minds too soon. I know there is a disposition in tho public mind to pass sentence at once, taking it as conclusive evidence that because a man, and especially a public man, is arrested he is therefore guilty. If he is guilty ho is in the hands of the proper authority to receive justice; if bo is innocent, thank God our law does not condemn a man until it hears him. This is a very important case however, and comes nearer engaging tho minds of all classes than most of cases. Religionist and irreligionist seem to meet on common ground and listen to hear the Savior say, “beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing.” J. M. Montgomery.

Editors Union: Gentlemen:— J have with pain noticed art account of the arrest of one McWilliams in your vicinity, by Constable Ballard, of Morgan county, and the Sheriff of Jasper county. I have nothing to say as to his innocence, from the fact circumstances of a suspicious nature arc against him. I was in White county at or near the time of his f“’“t ', ,! .Cii to your place, The Rev. Mr. Newhouse, Pastor of the Church in Brookston,-gave a little sketch of the man. lie camo to Brookston prior to that a few weeks, where ho had a brother, andYepresented that he was a member and minister of tho WinnebrUnarian sect!, showed his credentials and began to make himself conspicuous. Our folks having much need of ministerial aid'in different-plac-es the past winter, I think Bro. Newhouse dropped 1 :! line to Elder 11 nil stating to him that he thought he could get this McWilliams to go to Rens -el'icr mid aid in the labors

of the meeting that was to bo hold there. Prior to starting for Rensselaer; perhaps but two or three days, he joined our church on his former credentials, ns is pennisable. After Bro, Newhouse gave mo the history of tho man, I told him great care should be observed in taking up strangers. I confess to halve felt a silent tremor of apt prehension, the more especially from the fact that the M..E. Church at Rensselaer has been, for near a quarter of a century from time to time, cursed with men in ministerial gitrb, who have proved unworthy of their high calling. I wish to say a few words more. This unfortunate circumstance has been called into existence by a fraud palmed off by McWilliams on the credulity of our excellent Brethren Newhouse and Hull, and as it is impossible for men to know the motives of others, more especially strangers, it is of the highest importance that we exercise great caution in our advances towards such, particularly in matters of so much delicacy as religion and morals, where we aro responsible to tho public. I wish to remind persons who may be disposed to make light of religion and its profession, when such calamities befall the great cause of the Master, that there is no better evidence of the soundness of a bank than to see counterfeits on it, from the fact that parties do not think it profitable to counterfeit on weak and unstable institutions; therefore when counterfeits in morals and religion are made manifest it is a strong argument that soundness is at the bottom, and I hope that the church and people of Rensselaer and vicinity will press on with unfaltering courage, notwithstanding wolves in sheep’s clothing do occasionally creep in among them. I know you have been doubly cursed with such, but then if you are faithful yourselves all will coinc out right in the end. J. C. Faris. Medaryville, Ind., March 6, 1871.

Some time during the summer of 1868, a roan calling himeelf Charles Williams came to Monrovia, Morgan county, with a horse and put up at the hotel. In the evening he proposed accompanying the landlord to church, and on the why stated that ho was a minister of the gospel and would like to preach that evening. As the pulpit iiappened to be vacant, his oiler was accepted, and he preached an acceptable sermon,’which soon brought him into favorable notice, and gained tho confidence of tho people. He soon disposed of his horse and buggy, bought some good clothes with tho money, and went to preaching regularly, and succeeded in working himself into tho favor of every one. The day before the presidential election he borrowed a horse of an unsuspecting Tnehdlo nde to meetlug pronusing to be back in time to vote for Grant next day. Next day and the next came and went without bringing either preacher or horse. A week passed before suspicion was aroused, and the next heard from him was that he had ai>peared at Franklin, Johnson county-, as Henry- Wilson, sold the horse for a trifling sum, and decamped for parts unknown. Further inquiry revealed the fact that he had been married, and had a wife and three children at

Greencastle, Indiana; that he left them and went to Fishersburg in Madison county, presented credentints as a minister; that while there as a minister he courted and married a very .worthy young woman, whom hey deserted, and came to Monrovia. Nothing more was heard from him till last Christmas, when the Monrovians heard he was holding forth with great success as a revivalist at Rensselaer, in Jasper county, Indiana. After some consideration they, (the citizens of Monrovia, J decided to bring him to justice. A justice’s warrant was issued, a purse made up to defray expenses, aud Mr. Charles Ballard volunteered to go after him. On arriving at Rensselaer Mr. Ballard at once secured the assistance of the. Sheriff, and proceeded to arrest him. They found the scoundrel spending the evening with a young lady to whom he was engaged to be married in a few days. When called upon by the ofllcers, he pretended not to recognize Mr. Ballard and demanded their business, and when Ballard introduced himself and stated what he wanted,he denied everything at Monrovia, but said he had a twin brother who bore almost an exact resemblance to him. Ballard told him tho resemblance was so close that he would answer the purpose, and without more ado snapped the haudcuils upon his wrists. As soon as he found himself fairly bagged, he at once threw off his hypocritical mask and has ever since been one of the most blasphemous wretches that eves cursed tho earth. It should be stated here that on his arrival at Rensselaer, ho presented credentials us a minister of the M. E. Church, from Martinsburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania, giving his mime as Robert McWilliams, inquiries at’that place elicited the fact thqt he had married there and deserted Jiis wife, but not her money. On the way down he got somewhat indicated, aud was very communicative; told Balltird that a aicinodist preacher could live the easiest, and have the best time|tof anybody. While passing through Lafayette and Indianapolis, he pointed out a number of houses of prostitution which he had visited, and related sundry adventures in which “wino and women” were at the bottom. . lie wan brought to Monrovia on tno morning of the 3d,' and utter a preliminary examination in tho afternoon, was taken Id ’the Martinsville jail next’morning. On arriving at- the jail lie informed the “birds” that he was a minister of the gospel, and producing a pint of whiskey hade them get down <>n their knees and receive the sacrament, which, they übeved, and tho horrible mockery was duly rone through With. In p.ismt h? is ttitl er above uiedi-

uni, flier: a little oval, dark eurly hair, pleasunt bTutr eyes, aquiline nOHc, but rather nenHtutl H|>h. Much cretßt is ihi»j Mr. Ballard for the. prompt manner in which he managed inn urre,st; un<l we sincerely hope it will not be long before the oUender will feel the heavy arm of juHtlco.— Correspondent Indianapolii Journal. When thia Kcoundrel c»me to UenßHclaer, he was accompanied by his brother, (not the twin) who made great professions of religion, until after the arrest of the quondam preacher, when ho at once threw off the mask, got drunk and caved around in a manner indicating everything else but piety. We are told by Mr. Peter Davis, of Brookston, that while this brother of the grand scoundrel was,at that place he went through a crippled soldier for ten dollars in a way that was far, far from honest, and would lead one to suspect that if he had his deserts ho would still be keeping the preacher company. Quccriswaro and glassware at C. C. Stakh’s.