Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 108, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 October 1899 — The Schell Case. [ARTICLE]

The Schell Case.

Mr. Editor:—Allow me briefly to represent the action taken by the Northwest Indiana Conference at the recent Frankfort session, anent the somewhat celebrated case of the Rev. Dr. E, A. Schell General Secretary of the Epworth League. When the name of Dr. Schell was called, he rose in his place and stated that, in view of published assault upon his official conduct and moral character, he demanded a committee ot investigation. Ine committee asked for, and promptly appointed, consisted of D. M. Wood, H. L. Kindig, J. A. Clearwater, and R. D Utter, One entire afternoon was given to the investigation, and one evening till near midnight, when the committee agreed upon the following report, which the next day was unanimously adopted by the Conference: — “The committee in the case of Dr. Edwin A. Schell respectively reported: Having heard an extended statement by Doctor H. C. Jennings, agent of the Western Methodist Book Concern, and having carefully examined numerous documents bearing on the subject,— having also heard a full statement by Dr. Schell and others, —we withont approving his 'method of procedure’ as a wise one, fail to find anyjsubstantial ground for.the accusation, widely published, against Dr. Schiel. of official misconduct or moral wrong-doing on his part in relation to the publication of Songs Foe Young People.

The report was written by the undersigned, who has now before him the original draft; howbeit, the clause “without approving his method of procedure’ as a wise one,” whatever itmeans, originated with some other member of the committee. Subsequently,resolutions (signed by C. D. Royse, 8. P. Colvin, Samuel Beck, L. C. Bentley, and W. E. McKenzie) were presented and unanimously adopted, con- 1 demnatory of the attitude of Zion’s : Hearld, which for some time had andwas still, “pressing paoseontion to the point of persecution by its anti-Schell fnlminations. The case has been wonderfully sophisticate and befogged; bat according to the findings of the investigating committee, and as I ver ily believe, there is nothing in the case to discredit Dr. Schell as a man of honor —except fog.

R. D. UTTER.