The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-08-07
THE Reverend JASON LATHRop

THE Reverend JASON LATHROP.
We alluded to this Right RcU. Dicinc
about two months since. We had no
particulars Gf The affair ut that time, but
merely gnve the fact as being the I3,b
instance Of outrageous crime committed
by clergymen within as many months
This last act of viliaDy Of the Rev. Di-
vine could not be "hushed up" We
extract the following from the N. Y. Al.
bany Microscope, in which paper the
particulars wero published at The time.
Since the PIoUs Lathrop has come out a
bright and shining light two more Rer.
for like nets have been impiousiy held ur
TO the honest indignation of the ,oorldly
minded. Church crimes cannot now all
be "hushed up"'as was ever and wont 10
be the case. The honest and liberal
purr of a community have more moral
courage than formerly, and ,he black
scoundrelism of priests are exposed to
the world.
ANOTHER PRIEST "UNGOWN'D."
The Oswego papers contain an account
of Reverend Jason Lart,rop. having bee.
discharged from communion nth the breih.
rem OF his church, in consequence Of having
committed the "high offence Of criminal vi
olation offemalo chastity" The male mem
i har nf hi rh,,r, kn1I
dopted the following resolution -
Resolved, That we withdraw the hand Of
Fellowship from Elder Jason Lathrop for
the high offence Of criminal violation of fe-
male chastity, under very sggravating cir-
cumstances.
I And in order to give further notorieiy to
this pious Elders transactions, a council Of
ministers and lay brethren was held at the
meeting house Of the first Baptist Church in
Oswogo, to deliberate on the subiect-when
the following proceedings were had -
Charge preferred-Criminal violation of
female chastity under very aggrsvating cir
cumstances. The evidence was abundant
--the case plain one--and we are obliged
to say that we no longer Fellowship him as
Minister Of the gospel.
Resolved, That this result of the council
be signed by the moderator and clerk, and
published in the Free Press, and that we in
vite all editors TO insert the same in their
papers.
This abandoned hypocrite had caused
the suspicious OF his own wife, and several
times induced her to prefer charges against
him, to the ruling elders ofthe church But
he uniformly succeeded in establishing his
innocence, and rendering the character of
his wife odous in the sight of his believers,
one upon whom the utmost blame was at
tached. They viewed him as an afflicted,
unfortunate husband, and a meek lamb of
God, which had been brought to the house.
to be offcred up as an innocent victim Of per-
secution.
But the transactions Of this damnable hy-
pocrite could no longer be conc ealed--a few
weeks since he separated from his wife,
when the most evident developements be-
came manifest, and his character became iu-
stantly stamped with the deepest infamy -
tie had seduced young woman, a member
of his own church. who had received bap-
II tsm from his own hands, and who had frc-
quenily partaken Of bread apd vino, admin
istered by his own polluted hands Yes,
reader, this insatiate monster--this vle Sc
ducer--ihis incarnatc devl--betrsyed, de-
ccived, and ruined an innocent female Of re =
spectabiIiiy (! While the sconndrel was
impiously moddling with holy things, and
in solemn mockcry, pretending 10 warn his
congregation against the dreadful sin Of for
nication--when he was cxhorting them TO
beware of the te emptations Of the world, his
own heart was filed with deeds of darkness
and destruction
He has pursued the beaten track Of mony Of
his predecessors, viz: that of seducing fe-
males. young aud inexperienced. who had
beenIoersuaded join tn church. Did not the
pious Crawford do the came Did not
S,ansbury adopt the snmc plan, although not
so particular as TO the complexion ofhis VIC
tim? Avery hold mnzzle our tongue
throw down our pen his trial is in progress.
and il would be insulting the dignity of The
court, to express an opinion, until the jury
have rendered a verdict, But of the Rev.
F. A. Sirale, we may bo allowed 10 speak,