New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-03-29
A. CHURCH EXPOSE.
esrondence of The Springfield (aass Republican.
greenfield, Monisy March &C. 1855.

Correspondence Of The Springfield IN ass) Hepuoiic,n
GREENFIELD Monday, March 90, 1855.
An interesting ti., involving curious points OF
church discipline has just been coeed here. 1t was
the Gaze of DaI tel Frost Ct Orange, co np&ned OF
for for wlfully disturbing church meeting. George
T. Davis one of the counsel for The defease The
meetir disturbed called by The minister VINO
was temporarily supply ing the pulpit for the parpose
of acting on the follosiDg pager and propositions
drawn up and submitted by him in his own hand
writing:
ing: If tbe church Dg that .houd boi the
OF their sas 10 hsncs and a. the Superintendent OF
the DO thiDss after zsy sh- they five ms
ton With hem the close ofihs
In The Gospel Of Christ yous, se .. }. NJ LOhp
Al De nave full confidence in Mr. Lord asa Christian
~ agree 70 svs him Al. the liberty he wishes in msnss
5 We viii give him aid and sympathy,
These votes and the paper Of Mr. Lord to which they
relse shall be placed the Of the Chnch Record
The defendant was heavy TAX payer ia the parish,
and the descon Of the church. aud did not entertain
those sentiments TOWARD the Rev. Mr.. Lord which
that funconayy wished to have the church express.
The Minister accordingly undertook 10 preside at the
meeting, and TO carry through the propositions by
parliamentary tactics. He made speech upon then
himself, ard then announced that general discussion
by Others would not be in order and tn all remarks
must be addressed TO himself. He ruled In as a CON-
petent voter q man who sd been drdmned up from
another to- for the purpose, and whose principal
connection with the church for many years had been
in the way OF receiving It's oiscipine but this ruling
was voted down by the church.
1t was q sad case of er leapiDg ambition. The
church was refractory aid the opposition under the
lead Of Mr.. Frost triumphed Toe Rev. j. NJ.
Lords letter TO the parish claiming ito hold the
r.igns of affairs in his hands, and bethe ooss of
the business under pain of oldins bis vAlusee
Dor ieee, had been exhibited TO DO purpose. Tue
church. requested Endorsement of his character a
Christian minister aad pastor was refused; and even
the disciplined and punished vols,or Of its rules who
by reason Of Uniform absence from church could
know IothDg adverse, was prevented from bearing
the important testimony OF disinterested approval
and COZ fdence in hls favor. After this stranger was
voted out of the meetog, no found TO second
the otion for the adoption OF The propositions, and
the discussion became exceedingly frank and personal,
ard the NEE tiI was dissolved Ia some confusion
Mr. Lord oaily becoming inter sted IN the present
rotecution has been forced TO make public display
Of his whole Of conduct most Illuminating to
himself painful TO HIS fellow Minister'S and luficrous
to crowd of eager spectators. lie thought that the
defendant only would be tried: he knew little of the
trial in store for himself q witness trial in VIII IN
every act, and speech, and writing, wa held up to
ridicole; the climax being completed by the graphic
description, IN the summing up OF the sublime impu
dence, passing the oroioary mpudence Of impudsnt
moItals exh bted by the reverend geatemsn. To the
audience ii did not seem extravagant when the de-
febdaDts council, turning, as he said, for last
glimpse Of his clerical friend, before the besutifal
vision should vanish and become lost TO sight, aud
sorrowug moet Of all when he foand that the jury
would that radiant face more, expressed his
cere grief that be, on his part should be left without
some tangible memento of this refreshing episode in
the dull practice of the COURTS some lock Of hair
precious relic Of departed modesy; and that the pub
lie could not be made scquaioted with so exusordi-
nary person, and with their eyes these orsi
nal propositions and certificates of character and hear
for themselves his account Of the matter through the
agency Of some theological Barnum.
The prisoner was acquitted. de received the con-
CALCULATIONS Of his council and friends with evident
emotion; receiving and rejoicing in the sympathy Of
the court and the whole bar The power and author
ty vested in stated supplies have been juAcially
ssctrtaned. The principles Of church government
have received new and vigorous exposition from I'M
accustomed hands AID been brought for the 6rst tune
to many minds. And the Reverend s J. NJ Lord,
while learning by actual experiment the difference be-
tween the Church Militant and the Church Triumph
ant has another trial yet in store for hin for he is
left to that ecclesiastical discipline which, when sp-
Piled, it il to be hoped will bees both those thai give
and him that takes