The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-10-13
CAL Observation-Disclosures


NY ,itwasbu proper to ascertain that the facts were
well authenticated before we gave them publicity
We recently received letter detailing the crime OF
clergyman mp atsburgh, to which we simply alluded
Instead of publishing the letter which we received
because there are men who sometimes are wicked
enough to fabricate stories which have tendency
TO injure innocent individuals, and we do moi
conceive that we used an excess of caution
Now, however, we have additional Information
which leaves us no room to doubt, and as many,
too many, resort to the church and 10 the priest
hood as a secular profession in which, while most
severely iliberal on all the rest the world they
indulge in life anything but holy, and in wees and
crimes the most revolving, we deem il public duty
to give proper exposure to such as are proved to
be guilty OF hypocrisy and villainy. The case TO
which we have alluded appears then to be this =
The Reverend l.. Reed, Presbyterian minister OF
Plattsburgh, has seduced young girl, member OF
his church, and for six months, while " minstering
in holy things" at the altar, he has been violating
one of the commands OF the Supreme Being, whom
he processes to serve, and with aroclous and mpi-
Gus hypocrisy, while conducting "protracted
meeting" These facts themselves speak louder
than any words that we could utter. The discove-
ry was made very recently through confdante OF
the victim Of the hoary hypocrle, to whom In fe-
male confidence she "related her experience -
From one young lady ii was told to another and
another, F" confdeh,ially," until 1t reached one who
brought il before the church. committee was
thereupon appointed to wait upon the Reverend gen.
Henian, but for time he stoutly denied the accusa-
ton; ultimately, however, he confessed the whole,
and then absconded from the place. The young
lady whom he seduced and her parents were men,
bers OF the villains church, and he has himself
wife and three children (the eldest about 2O) whom
he has for the present abandoned. The grief Of the
young adys father, and the indignation of the nha
biants is said to be very great. The following is
the copy of publication which has been made in
the village where the occurrence took placer
Lo, here am II "Let him that thinketh he standeth,
take heed lest he fall" Even in q village moral and
which arise from corrupt principles, will sometimes up.
pear; and when they do deem it the duty of every
Citizen who has the interest of the community heart
to make efforts to the best of his power although they
be feeble to prevent their dissemination and
the rotenness. When we daily witnessing acts Of
the grossest hypocrisy, which being committed by
who set themselves up standard morality and
piety, and examples by which the youth Of
munty to mark out their future through this
life OF trials and temptations feel it duty to give
timely warning to the unwary and credulous of the evils
that beset them and let them understand in language
to be misunderstood thathose presenting the airest
terror not always possessed the purest hearts
We make these few remarks by way of introducing
subject which is familiar with every person in this
All the villaInous tran saction
that was brought to light few days since in which
holy man Of Godthe pastor OF the Presbyterian Church
in this vllage-s tho prominent actor. This man-the
Rev. ( Mr. Reed-a religious by poetic who for the
more easy accomplishment of his helsh designs pre-.
tended greater degree of piety than his
was Jealous enough Tor religion Ia public, but miseraby
deficient of morality in priv atewas the of running
young and inexperienced gira member Of his church
and blighting the fondes hopes of parents who in
evil and unguarded hour allowed man free to
their domestic circle, whose only (and they deemed
sufficiently recommendation for morality his holy call
Instances of the kind above mentioned are of daily &C.
currence throughout the country If look into the
annals Of our courts OF law will be found that religious
teachers liable to the passions natures
otherst will be seen that ministers of almost every
denomination have been brought forward charged with
this offence and in almost every case found guilty the
lest evidence The reason this obvious and may
be explained in few words. Our clergy, with few
ceptons are an indolent class OF Their vocation
does make for them put themselves to
any manuel abortheir only is prepare the re-
quiste sermons for Sundayan easy matter by the by)
the remainder OF their time is spent in visiting their
hock and stufng their precious bodies with little
nacks sent them from their stuei" congreg atoms By
this manner of living they enlarge their Corporations
and their minds become corrupt from the Consequent
action Of those faculties which nature intended
should lie dormant.
Clegymen have more frequent and favorable opporta
mites for INDUCING their carnal propenses than any
other class OF men, and against this sometimes unfortu.
nate and always unnecessary freedom, every head Of
family should guard against. The avscations of minis
bring them oener into contact with the females of
their being important part OF the
tora duty TO visit the members of their churches at their
dwellings and hold religious conversation" with then
These visits chiefly to the lsdesthe minister finds
them alonethe male part of the family generally out
of doors at their various avocatonsour pastors have
abundance of leisure their hands, and it would be
markabe if they not brought into contact with e-
males less able to Withstand their aru addresses than
ohersess practisedi in the ways of the wordas in the
above recorded. Aside from visiting, dvnes
have other 'holy privileges" which are eentimes most
vlanously abused We refer to the holding of nightly
'prayer meetings-a lectures"-"class meetings"o"e.
male prayer meetiDgs'sewings societies. &C., at which
our man Of God Is in constant attendance Then, in
times OF great revivals" what holy soace is to the
hearts OF those pous men, seek out the "nquirng sim
and breathe forth the pure feelings of their hearts
and steal the holy kissrtel Of our savious loving
none but the truly pous pastor can appreciate. Oh,
crackee! who would not be " our minister"l
These assertions Of ours may very bold, and
Of blasphemy; but they nevertheless true-beyond
contradictonor undenable proof can be produced to
substantiate every assertion we have made-aye and
These things have occurred in village, and
alas of too great no:orety to b, doubted We wish
to be understoodtha not aiming blow at the
Of regionfar from itha is separate and dis.
tinct subject but regret that there not more
among its professors, who by their "day walk and
vorsaon," can give better examples OF its purity. We
have made these remarks only show that there is
much distinction made between those who profess and
who do not when oentmes the professor leads
exemplary life than his more fortunate neghbor
The young ladies, (heaven bless and preserve them
the arried oughtto know enough to take
themselves their husbands should do it) will,
trust profit by the unfortunate experience OF their young
companion They should learn to trust only in God and
be governed by the pure preceps oil virtue snd morality
the dictates Of conscience and reason They should
learn this respect virtue and morality though
clothed in rags and that the good society and
the gentry much coured and priced by them
is not ALWAYS safest for their regulations, or the
favorable of of their youthful minds in
useful arts religious refinement.
RUssELLs PLANETARIUM.-As much interes; is
felt in the case which has recently occupied the
attention Of the Vice Chancellor in relation to Rus
sells Planetarium, (he injunction on which is now
dissolved) we have obtained the following report Of
the jud 5ment given by the Vice Chancellor on
Wednesday -
His HONOR said, that hearing the bill in this cause
read, the impression produced upon his mind that
assuming proved all the allegations set forth in
it, no sufficient groun Is for the interference Of the court
were shown That the claims oil the plaintiff, Gouraud