The Rev. Dawe Case

The trial of Rev. Denia8 Dawe, n youna Methodist minister residing ut Deerlicld, whicli trial has just emled at Aun Arbor with a verdict of conviotion, ctowi wh:it at one time bid fair to be a very promUlng ministerial career. Mr. Dawe was trled byan ecclesiastical court, according to the forms of the M. E. church, on a general charge of falsifioation. The specifications were soinewhat TOlaminoui and detailed, and referred princlpally to dates covered by the years 1881 and 1882. A general resume of the case in brief muy not be without interest. Some four or five years ago tliere carne ... ., .. .. . .. _ . .„ ....V. .,,,J talented minister Haraed Edwin Dawe. Sla ministerial talent and eloquence, and iiis apparent za] in good works, won tor liim a popularlty of wliich an older minister inight have been proud: When the M E. parsonage was built Mr. Dawe moved into it, and among hiseftects were a bandsome library and a yaluable stereoptlcon, wbich, together with some housebold goods, were insured for a good safe 8iim. During the winter of 'S0-'81, we believe, while Rev. Dawe and his family were at Burnham's hall attending a donatlon party given for the minister's benefit, the parsonage took fire by some stlll unproveii means, and burned down, very little being saved from the flames. Among the goods alleged by Mr. Dawe to have been consumed were the magnificeut library and the stereopticon, or the principal portion of it, The minister figured up his loss, swore to it, and an insurance company paid it. Nothing wrong was thought of the matter for a time, but tinally the trustees, believing they had oluained a clue to crookedness, enlarged their iiiveui;..i.u,..„ _„j, kJu - :„„ &aa hnd such evidence as warranted legal proceedings, an uttachmeut was placed on the remaining household goods of the minister, who hail stored away his eftects and taken a trip to Europe. On his return he was arrcsted on the criminal charge of arson, and an examination followed before ex-Gov. Greenly, then a justiceof the peace. Prosecutor Watts, after a three or four days' examination, asked for the dismissal of the case on the ground that the evidence, which was entirely circumstaiitial, did not sustaiu the charge. The clergyman'sbrother, DeniasDawe, carne to Deertield with him, and altended the high school and studied for the ministry, preaching frequently, though not yet of age. He was very active before and during the trial of his brother and made certain statements touching the inovenients of Edwin before and subsequent to the fire, whioh the trustees believed to be false, and charges were formulited against him. He, however, went north, where he preached lor a time, and was subsequently ordaiued. He made application for a charire, but the accusation rose up agiinst him and at the conference he was given no charge. He returued to Deertield and was married to a highly tespectable young lady, and at times preached in burlinam's hall, the ohurch tliere being rent in two bitterly hostile factions, which even divided families, such was the warmtli of the partisanship. Mr. Dawe insited on recognition by the conference, and urgently demanded a trial on the charges gainst him, which was finally held, closing Wednesday at Aun Arbor, with a verdict fully Éiistaining the charges made by the trustees. Thus is niined the prospects ot an active, bright-mindcd young man, whose natural abilities tor public positiou are seldom equalled and still more seldom surpassed. Tliere will be many to regnt Mr. Dawe's error, but there are few who will feel wananted in rejoicing over his downfall The result of the trial will prove a crashing panUhment, and in view of it Dawe's adversarles can aflbrd to be genrooa. The effect of the verdict is to dismiss Mr. Dawa from the M. E. chureh. It annuls the title of l?ev. and cancela all church coiiriection. We should have staled tliat in tlie charges of tUlsi lication made against tbc minister was that of inHn presenting tlie length of time he had preached prior to his ordlnatlsn, it heilig a Condrnon precedent, to ordloation that the candidate sliall have preached for a period of four years pruvious to ordlnation. This Mr. Dawe reprosented that be had done, and set fortli that he had preached in England, the country of his l)irth, for a length of time wliieh the trustees, in lookinginto the matter, state would have made him of the age of 11 years at the beginning of bil career. Dr. Dawe has gtVU noticc ot appeal. but it is utiderstcxid that his counsel w i!l not preM the matter of appeal, and it is probable that nothing farther will be ¦ lonr in the case.