The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-07-31
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Clerical Culprits.


the Rev. Mr. Fairchd, painful affair, which has
occupied great deal of public attention, particu-
larry in that section of the country where the par
ties concerned are best known. Without desiring
90 make any special reference to this case we are
yet unwilling to allow the opportunity which its
publicity affords, to escape, without making few
calm, and, we trust, not altogether Improbable le
marks on the subject of clerical delinquencies in
general
Ii is very melancholy fact that of late years the
clerical profession this country has been much dis
graced by the conduct of many unworthy members
very great number of cases have come before
the public, in which ministers of the gospel have
figured as vlolators Of precept of The decalogue,
on the strict observance Of which, perhaps, more
than that OF any other, depends the happiness and
well-being of society There is no necessity for
US to engage in The very dsagreeabe work of re-
ferrIng to particular cases, by way of refreshing
the memory Of our readers with any of the melan
choly facts on which the statement have Jus
made Is founded. It is quite sufficient to know
that the number OF Cases of this description has
beeD % great that an impression has been very
gener. lily made that the immortality Of the clergy,
abody, IS much more widespread and enormous
than IT really Is. 1t would not be easy to exaggt
rate the evil and demoralizing influence which the
conduct Of these clerical culprits has exercised.
In thousands Of minds, pure and indebted, religion
has received deadly bow-the thoughiless and
profane have been confirmed in their ruinous
reef-the hardened blasphemer Of virtue has had
NV material wherewlth to delude others and has
own soul-and the spirit Of the really sincere and
devoted Christian has been weighed down TO the
very dust with shame and sorrow.
We have regretted TO find that this matter has,
generally speaking, not been treated properly by
the professe dy religious portions of the community.
Attempts at concealment Of the existence Of more
than ordinary degree OF immortality amongst The
clergy, are equally vain and pernicious. We have
been assaed for directing attention to this evil
and doubtless, by many even Of the honest and pur,
professors Of religion this article will be strongly
reprebatrd; whilst, of course, il will receive tn,
full benefit OF the anathemas Of the hypocrtes and
Pharisres but we cannot be deferred from speak.
ing openly and plainly of this matter, ST. that The
extent OF the evil to which direct public aeu.
ton may be fully known,-ts causes investigated
ard some remedy proposed and adopted II
spurious Zeal for religion which prompts a certain
portion of the community Of "believers'' to or,
cut against public exposure of the wolves IL
Sleeps clothlng,-the minisers,-who, by hyp.-
critical pretensons, get admission into the pu
pits, which they disgrace. For genuine rell
sion-for that practical belief in the greal
truths Of Christianity, which discovers itself in I'll,
life and conversarion,-none entertain more pro
found reverence than we Never has pen of our
written syllable in dersien of the simple bui
sublime doctrines Of the Christian faith, never
have we uttered what could be tortured into ii.
dicule Of such Of the clergy discharged with purity
and fidelity, the high and solemn duties Of then
IF II - hat hn,ya =.
nounced the corrupt hypocrtical Pharisaic priests
of all creeds who prostitute their sacred Office and
are living blasphemies upon the God they prefer
to serve. And in these denunciations but follow
the exalted example Of the great apostle Paul hin
SELF who once addressed to one OF this very ella e
Of corrupt hirellngs, the terrible anathema, sc,
shall smte thee thou whited WALTZ But to the f.
deity, purity and usefulness OF the great mass ii
the American clergy, we feel especial pleasure il
bearing testimony. Many Of them are, TO be sur,
somewhat behind the spirit of the age-somew VIII
too intolerant and bigo,ed-bui, taken as bod,
they are jealous, active, and powerful instrument.
Of the highest good To the pious and dlligent
clergy Of all denominations, America is under in
caIculable obligations The voluntary churches d
the United States, with their badly paid, but labor.
ious pastors are amongst the noblest Of the institu
'0AS ~ s''iS Souuty, dhu very ldbt hSdlHtt
which any friend OF American liberty would dare 10
raise hostile hand. Aud il is because we thus du,
appreciate the value the moral excellence, aud u.s.
funess OF the great mass OF American clergy thai We
would with all earnestness and sincerity direc
their attention TO the conduct Of those cuprits in
their body, who are from year to year. disgracing
Their profession and dishonoring religion
How does it happen that the most of those sac
IA hnaa ocnl. -.
sion within whose pale is gained chiefly if not a /
together, by superior pretensions TO holiness? Iii
fact certainly worthy Of notice, that the majority
of clerical cuprts are met with in those churches
which are most distinguished for noisy, busting
evrr-restIess zeal-the churches which max,
parade OF the greatest number Of converts
the churches where loud prayers in the
synagogue are most in vogue-the churches who's,
members make broad their phyacteries and en-
large the borders Of their garments, to use the eS
presslve scripture phraseology descriptive OF the
canting hypocrltes of jerusalem. We think this
affords clue which may materially aid us in the
investigation OF the causes OF this evil IA these
churches the period Of study for the ministry is moi
regular and is frequently very brief All that ID
wanted is great zeal-a "great outpouring of the
spirlt"-and all that is much more easily acquired
than erudltion and high and established charac.
ter tor purity OF HE. In this way many men, bet.
ter hted tor the penltentiary than the pulpit, ar,
admitted to the holy ministry, and sooner or late
their true character is developed-the church dis
graced-and religion dishonored.
Then, again, In the better regulated churches
where the emoluments are greater and Of cours,
more securely guarded, the work and Office of III,
ministry is in TOO many instances made ths sub.
iecf nf tuar worldly arec 80 attn Rau Id.
little but decency and duness to recommend them.
and who may not be considered smart enough :,
De taught trade or to engage in the daily cheat
ins OF the world are devoted the service Of tn,
cnurch, tharso they may earn a living. The rank,
ard Il A