Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-02-02

school fund for the education of the chill
dren of the Society, at the Chesterfield
Meeting, in Burlington county, which
fund was placed in the charge Of trus-
tees, and the complainant in this suit was
appointed treasurer of this fund, long be-
fore the division in the society took place.
The defendant borrowed two thousand
dollars of this money, and gave bond
and mortgage to Hendrickson, as treas
urer, or his successor in office. AT the
division, Hendrickson adhered to the
party called "Orthodox," and the 'Hick-
sites,' who were the majority at that
place, elected Stacy Decow treasurer of
the fund, who claimed the payment of the
money, as successor to Hondrickson.-I
Thus there were two treasurers to this
fund, claiming the payment OF this mo-
ney, and this suit is brought, to test by
legal principles aud equity, which OF
these parties are entitled to the posses
sion and benefit Of the fund.
Hendrickson, in his bill, charges the
"I!icksites" with seeding from the So
ciety holding to doctrines repugnant to
christianity, and to the principles Of the
church In their answer, they claim to
be the society and decline answering to
the inquiry into their religious doctrines
and opinions, declaring it immaterlal to
the point at issue, and protest against the
appcllation of"Iiicksites."
A wide field of inquiry has been gone
over in this cause, touching the early his
tory of the society, its doctrines & church
government, two immense volumes OF
testimony have been taken at Camden,
before J. j. Foster, Esq, master in the
court, which have been printed; larger
body of testimony perhaps, than has ev-
er before been accumulated IN any court
in this country.
Counsel, the most eminent in the state,
were employed by both parties, and the
pleadings were opened by George Wood,
Esq. for the plaintiff, who spoke for two
days-he was replied to by Garret ID.
Wall, Esq on the part of the defendant
who occupied the court till Saturday
noon, when he was followed, on the same
side, by Attorney General Southard, who
spoke that afternoon, all Monday ane
Tuesday morning, when Gov. William
son took the floor, in reply, and closet
the peadings on Wednesday evening"
The decision of the court will not b'
made known before the next term, which
we believe is held in April.
Perhaps no cause has come up for ad
Indication before any Of the courts IN on
state, in which property to so large an a
mount, and principles of so important am
interesting a character have been involv
ed. And during the sitting OF the cour
u lively interest was exhibited, not onl
by the members of the society, but b
the citizens generally. The court CON
menced its session in the Council Cham
her, but it was found entirely too sma
TO admit the audience, and the better
accommodate the people, they adJourne
to the Assembly Room, which was eac
day crowded by the Friends, our most II
telligent and respectable citizens, aud
numerous attendance of ladies'. Our e'
aaigements at home debarred MS the gra
ifcation of hearing Mr., Wood and M
Wall, who we understand fully sustaint
their well earned reputation at the ba
but we heard part Of MIR. Soutnaro
argument and the whole OF Gov. Williaf
sons reply. These gentlemen stand n
in need of our humble praise; their re
utation is we'll known, but we must be &
lowed to express the delight with whl'
we listened to the legal acumen, Y thr
ling eloquence of the former, and u
powerful and refreshing interest WIN
the latter impaired to what we conce'
ed to be an exhausted subject. .Ndt'o
al Unton.