The Reverend’s Unholy Reputation

Francis Dillon Edgell, a recent arrival from San Francisco, delivered a lecture at the Masonic Hall on Saturday evening last, the proceeds of which were donated to the Young Men’s Catholic Association of this city. Some of his assertions on that occasion, however, demand the most severe criticism. Let us inquire into the past history of this famous (?) lecturer of temperance and morality, and see if he had not best remove the mote from his own eye before he undertakes to remove the mote from his brother’s eye.

It has been but a few years since Mr. Edgell prefixed to his name the honored title of 'Rev.' and was a highly respected member of the Protestant Episcopal church. He received a flattering call from St. James church of San Francisco, and for some time was its pastor. While there, he assumed the 'high church' doctrines and overstepped the limits prescribed by the church. In fact, he crowded the church ritual and came as near encroaching on the grounds of Catholicism as he dared.

Somewhere along in 1868 or 1869, his intimacy with the daughter of a well-known parishioner began to excite general comment, until at length their names were linked in a rumor most scandalous. The grief-stricken parents found it necessary to send the daughter to Europe for several months. Not only was he accused of improper intimacy with this young lady, but it is rumored that at least two other young ladies of his congregation were compelled to take a trip into the country for their health about the same time or shortly afterwards. His marital vows, however, excluded him from the priesthood of that church; and he has entered the field as a public lecturer, and assures us of high morality, and prates continuously about the wickedness of this life.