Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-03-08

From the Advocate ofMotal Reform

Parents, who are the Teachers Of your
Children.
In the village of South Farms, Conner-
ticut, is high school in which there has
averaged for several years past, some Is
or 20 lads and young men from the city of
New Y ork, besides large number from
sther places At the head of this institu-
lion stands Samuel NJ Ensign, member
of the Congregational church of that
place Strong suspicious have been en-
tertained relative to his character for sew
eral years past. But notwithstanding
these suspicious and the conduct which
gave rise to them, no steps were taken
towards an investigation of the affair until
March, 1885. By that time some of the
brethren in the church had become so
we'll satisfied respecting the improperly of
his conduct, and the sad effects of it upon
the church, and the youth under his influ-
ence, as to commence course of church
discipline. Specific charges were pre-
ferred against him. The subject was be-
fore the church eleven months, during
which time the following facts were prov
ed by affidavits Of several females, who
had at difecent times lived in his family :;
and from verbal testimsny brought forward
at the time. Not less than four or five
virtuous females had left his family and
service on account Of his improper con-
duct towards them. 1t was also proved
that Ensign was habitually in the practice
of insulting some of his domestics, and
using familiarities with others, too gross
to mention. And during this investiga-
ton it was also proved that the young
men in his family, were guilty of illicit
intercourse with some Of the hired girls in
his family, to an extent almost incredible.
But notwithstanding all this, party spirit
prevailed, justice slumbered, and the man
was permitted, upon his making condi.
tionaI Confession to retain his standing
in the church. Since his accquital by the
church in July, 1886, a certain girl who
hadliyed 10 his family, and who was by
him and his friends considered one of his
most important witnesses, has became a
mother. Previously however, she under
oath declared Samuel NJ. Ensign the
J father Of the child. The husband of a
yirtuous wife-a member af a Congrega
tional chureh-the head Of a family IN
which were some 90 or 80 youth, hooking
! up to him for example, guidance and in
struction, and the Principal Of large
|, school, composed of both males and fe
males There, without doubt, many
have been sent from your city, that the,
might be removed beyond the reach ofths
numerous temptations to which thew arr
: exposed. But ahs, while the mother in
, dalged the fond hope that her son was re-
moved far from temptation, and the influ
enee Of the vicious, and trained up for use
) fulness and virtue, he was in factthrowr
into theivery arms of the DESTROYER
, There the seeds of RIGHTEOUSNESS hay,
, probably been sown in the hearts of man,
, a virtuous youth. And the .youthfli
character received blot so deem and s.
! dark, that even the tears of mother can
: not wash them away. 3.' TX -
i Iwould remarks that the church abov,
mentioned wasan antitem7 erance church
III. {. . majority of its members -wese on.
\ posed to the total-abstinence pledge, and
s. M. Ensign was among the number