THE CLERICAL SCANDAL.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2382, 19 November 1870, Page 2

THE CLERICAL SCANDAL.

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sm —A ffccr reading “ lota’s” letter in your issue of Thursday last commenting on your leader of last Monday, anent the case of the [lev. D. Johnstone, I think your correspondent forgets that the Committee to which he refers was a Committee of a Congregational Church, the business of which is entirely conducted by the members within its walls. For these gentlemen then to publish the evidence taken before them would become a violation of their Church practice. He also refers to the rumour which he has heard that the reverend gentleman did not get justice from that Committee, which I don’t think can be true. It has been stated by himself that he got every justice ; but if he has made the discovery that justice was not done him, let him come forward and say so, it is not yet too late. But, Sir, it is well known that the Church in Moray Place were very much attached to their pastor, supporting him as long as they could ; and that they have now, after the strictest investigation severed the connection that bound them together, is sufficient proof that as a Christian people they have lost confidence in him ; in fact, that so much at least of the scandal attached to his name is true, as justifies the course they have taken, and should ('prevent him from standing up as a public teacher of the Gospel, and all those who have the prosperity of Christ’s Kingdom at heart, from giving him their countenance and support. 1 am, kc., Fair Play. Dunedin, 18th Kov., 1870.