Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1842-03-17
WAY TO DISMISS MINISTER'S.
CASE OF PARsoN BRUSH.

the first settlement Of the village, and had
grown with its growth. In the days Of
their adversely they maintained proper
degree Of harmony within their borders ;
but when they became prosperous the y
were often convulsed by internal and ex-
ternal commotion, both as respected their
own affairs and their relations to each 9TH
err. In short, as they waxed fat they
kicked.
The first distinctive recollection have
Of these churches was during the minis,e'
rial labors Of Parson Brush, at tho Epis-
copsl, and " old Mr.. Betts," as he was call
led, at the Presbyterian. When MIR.
Brush was first installed, and preached his
ini,iatory sermon, he captivatcd the whole
congregation. 1t was averted BY all the
villagers, Ear and near. that he was the
most remarkable young man that the age
had hroduced. Every body said it was
providen,ial that they had been so fortu-
nate in the selection ola clergyman; that
they might have searched the world over
and not have found another such man as
Mr.. Brush; and the vestry- men in partic-
ular deemed him just the man Of all others
to fill the pulpit. All passed off in the
pappiest manner for two Or three months.
Every sermon was better and better. -
The whole congregation were sure that
they should keep hin, forever. All the
ladies in the parish were continually max
ing presents to him, and all tho gentlemen
were applauding them for their liberali,y.
Al length the people thought the church
was not good enough for him to preach in,
and the vestry-men we're called together
to concer, measures to repair it. A sub
scrip,ion paper was set on foot, and every
body subscribed; and very soon the old
church which had wi.hstood SO many win
tiers was "rent in twain from top to bot
TOM" New slips were put in; a glaring
pulpit, blazing with red velvet and elabo-
rate tassels, was erected; a new organ was
purchased, and new bell swung high in
the s,eeple, to call the people to their
prayers.
Every thing in short was put in COM
plete order. And the churchmen Of Stoke
Vile prided themselves upon having the
finest church aud the most eloquent proach-
er for fifty miles around.
Now il CHANGED about this time that Mrs.
Miranda Meeks and several other church
going "ccruleans Of the second sex" had a
tea party. There was Mrs. Miranda
Meeks herself, Mrs. Lucinda Dow, Mrs.
Mary Brown, Polly Sly. an old maid. to-
gether with some others. While sitting
around the table, they freely canvassed all
The affairs Of the village from one eud to
the other. When they had disposed of
the temporal, they very naturally took up
spiritual things, and Parson Br"sh's name
came frequently in question. Miss Polly
Sly said "Mr. Brush was a fine man; )"
that she always had liked him, and she did
not knew but she still liked him as well as
she ever did; she had heard stories about
him, t was true, but she didn't believe
them; and therefore she should not repeat
them.
This set the whole tea-table on fire.
" Heard stories about Mr.. Brush J" ex-
claimed Mrs. Meeks; why Miss Sly -
how can you say sol What stories. prayr
ooh, IFS Of no consequence replied
Miss Sly, with an air ofgreat Indifference
II don't believe word Of it; though ]
mus. confess it looks strange--very
strange
DO tell US + said all the ,ea-drinkers,
with suspended cups, and in one breath;
. you know we shall never circulate it,
Let Us know who could have the heart to
SANDER Mr.. Brush!'
'Oh, hut them said Miss Sly, = il it
should get out, it would be reported as
coming from me and you know ! never
wan. TO make no mischief
Bot it want Of no avail. The gossips
en- masse besought Miss Sly to repeat the
reports which she had heard.
'Well' said Miss Sly, 'upon your word
and honor that you don't say a word to
living soul about it, I don't know but !
will
'Oh no! no! no! burst from dozen
voices at once. We wouldn't do any thing
Miss Sly, you know. to get you int"
trouble
well Them said the maiden-innoeent,
reducing her voice 10 whisper. and look
ing carefully around the room, they say
Mr.. Brush drinks; and that he is under
the influence Of liquor every Sabbath; and
John Noakes told me t'o,her day he saw
him purchase quart of gin at Mr.. Tapes
store and besides that, he has been seen
in the tavern bar-room several times late
ly.'
'Why Miss Sly! You don't say so r.
Law me" why how can you" were
the EXPLANATIONS which followed this pre-
cious bit Of scandal.
'Oh yes" continued Miss Sly. five
known il for a great while, but didn't
want to say any thing about it, because !
was afraid ii would make difficulty