The Presbytery’s Verdict: A Minister’s Scandal and the Price of Repentance

TRIAL OF REV. MR. DUNNING.

The Presbytery of Puget Sound met in session in Snohomish, their clerk being Rev. H.H. Dunning, Rev. W.F. Winthrop and others appointed by the Court to assist the present prosecutor, Mr. Andrew R. Harvey. In conducting the case, and Rev. Dr. Gentry, of Eugene City, Oregon, as counsel for Mr. Dunning.

The trial commenced on Monday night, and the Presbytery handed its final judgment this afternoon. We have been furnished with the following authentic copy of the findings and judgment of the Court:

In the case of Rev. H.P. Dunning against Andrew R. Harvey, prosecuted before the Presbytery of Puget Sound under charges: First, of paying attentions to a lady other than his wife, and the common reputation thereto in contradicted applications I. 11 and V. Settler, by abusive, ill-treatment of his wife and withal neglect of family worship, etc.: under unended specifications XI and IV.

The court after patiently listening to the testimony, and the arguments of counsel on both sides, for six days, and after prayerful consideration of the whole case and careful examination of the testimony find the first charge admitted to the extent expressed in the following paper which was laid before Presbytery by the accused, and accepted as meeting all the requirements of the case, and presenting just grounds for halting all proceedings under charge first, to wit:

To the Presbytery of Puget Sound. Dear Brethren: In regard to the charge of paying attentions to a lady other than my wife, now preferred against me below: the Presbytery, I beg to state that, inasmuch as the prosecution has discovered any intention to attempt to prove any criminal intent in said attentions or give sanction to any reports of actual criminality that may be in circulation, I frankly and sorrowfully admit that I now fully realize that I did not exercise due caution in my actions and proper regard for the results of such indiscretions. And no man can regret more than I do every note that has had a tendency to injure the cause of Christ.

H.P. DUNNING.

The Court unanimously find the second charge sustained in part, and adopted the following paper as expressive of said findings:

The Court finds the charge against the accused of 'abusive, ill treatment of his wife' is sustained to the extent of personal violence; but not sustained to the extent of harsh words while under the excitement of temper, aroused by accusations injurious to his character as a husband and a Christian minister. The Court find the charge against the accused of 'neglecting family worship' not sustained to the extent of its being constant or habitual, but that family worship was sometimes omitted on account of matters over which he had no control. The Court also find, that on a single occasion the accused did not ask a blessing, or give thanks, in connection with the taking of a regular meal.

In consequence of the above findings the Presbytery decided upon the following as their judgment: The judgment of the Presbytery is that Rev. H.P. Dunning shall be reproved in open Presbytery by the Moderator for the conduct which has led to the foregoing findings of the Court; and admonished to set a guard upon himself that he transgress no more in appearance or word, ever remembering that the honor of our Lord is solemnly committed to his care, that the eyes of the world are upon him, that the welfare of immortal souls may be jeopardized by his conduct, that a minister of Jesus Christ should ever be a shining light reflecting the blameless life of his Divine Lord and Master, and that the domestic circle of the under-shepherd of Christ’s flock should never be ought less than a model Christian home.

J.R. Thompson, Moderator. M. Gillane, Clerk pro tem.

The judgment of Presbytery being read to the defendant he presents the following submission thereto, which he read in open Court:

Mr. Moderator and Brethren of the Presbytery. I do, with a deep sense of regret, and with that Godly sorrow which worketh repentance into me, thank you for your kind and patient counsel in hunting out the hidden life I have led for many months past, and which has led to the indulgence of severe and ill-tempered language by me. I especially regret and deplore the scandal thus given to the cause of my Redeemer, and the impediment it has placed in the way of my laborer’s ministry of the Gospel, and I feel deeply humbled, facing quite my infirmity and in reliance on the grace of God, my Saviour. I have never so looked again without your judgment, and ask that this my voluntary and unsolicited expression be made a part of the record of Presbytery.

H.P. DUNNING.

Mr. Dunning was then reproved and admonished in accordance with the judgment.