SLANDER AND MALICIOUS GOSSIP.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 53, 2 March 1916, Page 3

SLANDER AND MALICIOUS GOSSIP.

A MINISTER SPEAKS OUT

AUCKLAND, Feb. 29

The Rev. ,T. S. Campbell, -who has recently resigned as Congregational minister at the Onehunga church, explained the circumstances to a crowded meeting in the Public Hall on Sunday. He stated that slander and malicious gossip had been at• work, and his honour had been impugned. His present painful position arose because of • l iis refusal to marry anyone' save th e lady of his choice. He had been on friendly terms with a lady member of the congregation, but the intercourse had never got as far as an engagementesty er got as far as an engagement, for he- realised that marriage between them would be unsuitable, although he always had the greatest respect for the lady and her family. He had been foolish only in allowing the acquaintance with the lady to proceed so far. H e had written certain letters which the lady's family had made public. It I was obvious that he acted foolishly in writing at all, though there was nothing wrong- in the letters. T-he lady herself made no charge against him, but the lying tongue of the scandalmonger had set stories in circulation until he had been compelled to make a | public explanation. He intended to remain at Onehunga and fight these lies. He would continue to preach as a mie sioner, and if needs be work as a tradesman to support himself. The lady was present, and stood up and denounced the persons who had coupled h-r nam 0 with the minister, who was loudly applauded at the conclusion of his remarks.