The Libel Pamphlet That Ended With Psalm 52

Rev. M. H. Nichols, once convicted of criminally libeling Elder T. B. Ford of the Puget Sound Conference of the M. E. Church, has handed the Post-Intelligencer a pamphlet titled “In Perils Among False Brethren.” It contains a copy of an alleged letter from Dr. Ford to Rev. Horace C. Stanton of Kansas City, containing by implication and innuendo reflections on the character of Dr. W. P. George, formerly of the First M. E. Church of this city; an abstract from conference minutes in which Dr. Ford, as presiding elder, passed the character of Dr. George; a telegram from Bishop Isaac W. Joyce to the effect that Dr. George was in good standing October 18; a letter from Bishop John P. Newman stating that Dr. Ford could not hurt a man of Dr. George's standing; a telegram from Dr. Ford that Dr. George was in good standing May 4; and lastly a letter from Dr. Ford to Dr. George urging the latter to attend conference and informing him that the First Church, Tacoma, was open to him. The documents, it is claimed, were brought to light during the investigation of Dr. George at Kansas City. The pamphlet is unsigned and contains nothing on its face to indicate its author. It closes with Psalm 52: “Thy tongue deviseth mischief, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy thee forever. He shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, but trusted in his wickedness.” Nichols was before Judge Humes yesterday and was sentenced to a fine of $25 for libeling Ford, and to stand committed in case of failure to pay. His bail was fixed at $250.