The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-07-31
OF Rev JOY II. Fairchild for
the alleged Seduction OF Miss Rhoda David

Examination OF Rev. JOY H. Fairchild for
the alleged Seduction or Miss Rhoda David
| son.
| EXETER, N H., July q, 1874
| This Council met at tine lst Congregational
| Church, in Exeter, N. II. on Wednesday last at
10 o'clock, A. M. The Council was called to
Older by Rev J. French of North Hampton, n. H..
| and on his motion 1t was organized by the choice
| of Dr. Dana, of Newburyport, as Moderator, by
whom the Council was opened with prayer. The
| Rev Luther F. DImmick was chosen Scribe, and
] Rev II. w Clark, assistant Scribe.
| Mr.. Fairchlld was present, and sat with his wife
| at table near the pulpit. He requested permission
to have the aid of the Rev: Mr.. Phelps OF Groton,
In the examination OF evidence and papers, and
the Council voted to comply with his request
The subject of the discussion and the charges
were now before the Council.
Mr.. FAIRcHILD hoped, as he had sent in letter
of resignation 10 the Church, that that event would
take place first, and be now acted upon.
The Council voted that the paper containing Mr..
Fairchild's resignation, and the action upon Wy,
should be read. 1t was dated Exeter, June 18th,
1914, and the Church voted to comply with his re-
quest AT the semi-annual meetingson the 9th of
July Mr.. Fairchild requested committee TO be
raised to unite in calling Ecclesiastca cal Council,
10 b s Of ns
| citation, and the Church voted to call such Coun-
ell to dissolve his connection.
Mr.. FARcHILD arose and stated that his letter
might, perhaps, strike the members strangely, and
he would endeavor to explain himself He received
a letter from brother Adams in relation TO some
charges which had been made against him, and re-
guessing him to write him an answer upon The
subject He preferred seeing him in person, rather
than writing, and accordingly went to see him al
his house in Boston; there he heard OF the papers,
containing the charges read. He denied their
TRUTH bat did not know where to find witnesses to
rebuff those charges. He returned home in state
of mind almost bordering on despair, and hardly
knew what he did. He wrote the paper To- the
| Church. He wrote for this reason he could not
eho RI ba hon tho
idea Of duplicating the Church with him. The
affair mentioned took place IN another town and
State years ago, and he could not involve this
Church in any such difficulty with him..
The committee composing the Suffolk South
Association, are Rev Mr.. Ridde, Chairman, Rev.
| Edward Beecher, DID, and Rev. N. Adams, and
it was moved that the papers of the Association
be received from the committee. Before this ques-
ton was put, it was suggested by member that as
this meeting was of the greatest dellcacy and
Importance, the Council should be held private; he
was willing to crafty public curiosity In any rea-
sonable way, but he thought the debates were unit
| to be listened to in public This measure was stree
nuously urged by two or three Others from The ge-
neral reasons, that understanding the matter was TO
be subjected legal investigation, they were un-
willing that the proceedings Of this Council should
clash at all with such tribunal. Rev. Or. Bur
CESS OF Dedham advocated this point with great
| zeal.
On the other side it was argued that no such evil
consequences could reasonably be expected to
| arise; that this was a case of public Importance,
many statements false and injurious had undoubt-
eddy appeared, and the public demanded public
investigation to get the truth, and not TO throw
cloak over sin if sin it be. 1t was believed to have
far more bad tendency to keep these matters con-
ceaed than to have them open to the publ ear,
and, after some discussion, the motion to shut the
doors was negatved by an overwhelming vote.
The chairman of the committee, the Rev. Mr..
| Riddell, now stated that the committee appeared
before this Council by invitation OF Mr. Falrchld
and the church, as committee OF the Suffolk
i rat
bringing before the committee the subject OF the
i'm moral character Of MIR. Farchild, who Is a
member OF the Association This association APP
pointed three gentlemen to inquire into the facts 81
the case. Alter proceeding IN their investigation
as far as they could, they made report 10 the As
ISOLATION of the subject before them, Being IN
formed by letter from Mr. Falrchild that Coun-
C would be held in Exeter, the Association adj
pointed committee Tor the purpose OF laying the
| fact before the Council. They were here in obe-
dlence to the CALL and they proposed to present the
matter in the following order To submit bret
statement as to the manner in which the subject
came into the Suffolk South Association.
81. That the charges in their full extent be stated
to the Council, and that witnesses be introduced
aid be examined and cross-examlned.
Sd. That the Rev. Dr. Beecher should sum uI
the evidence in the case and bring 1t before the
Council, TO enable them now to act.
Rev. Mr.. ADAMS now gave brief history OF the
affair, and how it came to be investigated. He
said, that sometime in the spring Of the presen
year circular issued from Exeter, and scat
tered in this place and elsewhere. 1t came 10 hi
knowledge from Mr.. Fairchld himself, whom hi
met in Boston, and it agreed that as the sub
IJect referred to acts of an immoral nature, the,
should be investigated, and the question was how
shall it be done? The charge appeared to be al
informal and irresponsible one, and IL WA
thought proper that the investigation should also h'
informal. AT the request OF Mr. Farchld six in
dlvlduas came together IN May, composed OF three
clergymen and three laymen. The investigation
was a aborlous and protracted one, and the resul
sL.e ek.sa tkaan phuvnn fxNr
move our confidence in Mr.. Fairchlld, as chris
tian. 1t hal pened, that an individual, IN whose
family Miss khoda Davidson had lived, heard tina
she had become a mother, and that the reported
father was minister; he remembered this IN con
nexon with the charges made against Mr., Fair
child, and he communicated his the lights t
another, a brother of his church. The subject wa
investigated by some OF the aymen, which resulted
IN the facts that are to be presented here: These
facts were embodied III these papers which wer,
sent to him. The charges were not known to ex
lst at the time that the first investigation was mad,
by any gentleman upon the committee OF investi
CATION The papers being put into his hands, h,
wrote letter TO Rev. Mr.. Falrchild stating IN,
substance of them, and informed him that h
would evidently see that 1t was due to himself ant
the committee that he should have an opportunity
to answer. On Monday Mr.. Fairchlld came to hi
house, and the brethren composing the committed
OF invest CATION met there, and those letters were
read to Mr. F. We came to the result that there
were three ways for him to conduct. First, on III,
superstition of his guilt We told him if he wer,
guilty the best way would be to confess Second
if innocent, to indict the individuals whom h,
thought conspred to injure him, and bring them be
fore legal tribunal, and third, to call an Ecclesi
asiical Council.
He came to the conclusion that the subject ough
to be submitted to the Suffolk South Assocla
ton, and in compliance with his request meet
ing was called.
They proceeded to investigate the case by exam
ming witnesses, and obtaining certificates Of tn,
facts. He had an interview with Mr.. Fairchild
few weeks since, and it was his wish that the sub
ject be referred back TO the Association, Tor the
tore his connection with the Church at Exeter
This being the understanding the witnesses were
obtained and he was informed that he would have
an opportunity OF examing them. letter re-
ceIved from him, stating that he had altered hi
mind, and that he would prefer an Ecclesiastical