Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-05-07


[FrOm the Episcopal Record
PASTORAL VIsITISG.-ln many of our city
parishes, this kind Of visiting has become a
mere form. The office OF pastor is completely
merged in that of preacher, and the excuse
given is, want of time. "Wo cannot" say
the clergy, " visit our people constantly, and
yeti prepare each week the two polished
and elaborate diseourses which they require
on Sunday. Even the Sunday school and Bi.
ble-class cannot receive our due attention, but
must be resigned to the superintendance Of
others. Writing and study occupy every mo-
ment." Now, is not the foolishness of preach
ing in these days too highly cxaitedi Must
the truths of the gospel be clothed in such
elegant style and dictionl Is it very important
that the periods should flow SO smoothly and
so harmoniously Is conviction carried
thereby more sur ly and speedily to the heart
Of the sinner2 Are the Responding more en-
couraged, the rebellious sooner humbled No;
depend upon it, The palmer and more unadorn'
| ed the language, the tirmer hold it seizes upon
the heart. -FOUR models of pulpit oratory are
like pleasant songs to the ear, but they don't
cling to the conscience and when the devil
cometh, he finds it SO easy to steal them away.
If the ambassadors Of Christ would give the
time spent in polishing sermon, to a little
personal intercourse with their flock, and es-
pecially with the younger members, they would
ind their influence increase, their field of USE
iulness EXTEND and they would reap great ben
eft to themselves. Let them encourage their
people TO visit them, and converse freely with
them on matters that concerR their spiritual
welfare. All it will not be time wasted it is
| better than u dozen " splendid sermons" The
young men or madens Of the parish may often
wish to go TO their minister with some spiritual
grief or difficulty some doubt that, if explain
cd in kind and encouraging manner, might
form the turning point in their life. But they
are afraid they shrink from taking such a
| liberty with whom they see but once q week,
with grave and solemn aspect, in robe and
9u:plice, and surrounded by all the insignia of
office.
| once asked city rector how often he Wis
tied his congregation. He replied, &c Once
| year, excepting when called upon in cases of
sickness or death" Another thought sc he
dld remarkably well for he paid two visits n
/ year" And third announced publicly to his
| flock that, &c Except in cases OF sickness or
death, they must not expect him to visit them
4 at ALL" 1t was spoken of as burdensome
duty quite a bore, thing to be got over
What description Of visits are these The
Rev. Mr.. B calls on his parishioner, Mr..
u. Mr.. G., aman of business, and
| ~ ms store during visiting hours, never sees
| ms pastor socially, deferred from making an
| evening visit, lest he should intrude upon the
time devoted to composing those beautiful
sermons. Mrs. G is quite Hurried at re-
ceiying this annual or semi-annual visit, and
makes an elaborate toilette in his honor, which
rather annoys her pastor, who has allotted just
so many minutes to each call, and congratu.
ates himself exceedingly when he is able tc
pay Off great many in one day. The weather
IS discussed-mutual inquiries after the healtl
Of their respective famlies-a little dsultorS
chat on the topics of tha day-the minister
then takes his leave, agaHba interview is ovel
for a year or half-year.
Now, does this realize the idea of pastor a
VISIT In this being " in sxA4s5MkRnd out o.
season 2" Could not seed lsen sowr
then which might have s{,kts45E }}I p fterward
seyen-tOld Mrs. c. i|5{ S|asse had do
nestle annOyances or cafes f*3Sing heavily
upon her; and had she been accustomed or
encouraged to seek for counsel or advice
from her spiritual teacher, might have asked
Tor word of strength and comfort.
All! it is great thing to be an eloquent
t preacher, but greater thing TO be gooc
pastor-a truo shepherd-one who is hi
with Ills hocksir-ti-----0T JOY, as wen as in
:, -.i-.eo OF sorrow who watches over them
whom they look up o with love, as well as rev.
erence; whose advice and sympathy they seel,
in all difficulty The young, as we'll as the
old, the poor, as well as the rich, feel that
, they are objects Of his interest and care.-
Such an one, though he may not attract adj
lniring crowns, yet will turn many to right
r eousness BROOKLYN March IS, l857.R. S.
The BuRDELL MURDER TRIALs.-In the New
York Court at Oyer and Terminer, on Monday
morning the trial of Mrs. Cunningham, and
! john j. Eckel, for tho murder OF DR.. Burdel
commenced. There appeared for the prosecu-
ton, Attorney General Gushing and and Dis
t!ict Attorney Hall. The counsel of Mrs. Cum
bingham were ii. L. Clinton and Gilbert Dean,
and for Ecko, the Counsel were John Graham
al nj CtttE ,,rI A
llled the Court room. Five hundred Jurors
were summoned, but upwards of Hundred,
who did not appear, were fined SIS each. The
Evening Post says
a large proportion of the jurors summoned
appeared 10 be afflicted with deafness, weak
eyes, lamenessand othernfrmities, upon which
they eXpatiated to the Court under oath.
During these preliminary proceedings, Mrs.
I Cunningham and her two daughters, Helen and
Augusta were seated behind the railing on the
right hand of the Judge. They We're richly
! but plainly dressed in mourning garb. Mrs.
! Cunningham wore a black silk. All tho three
| Ladies' wore impcnetrable brown wells, which
/ were never for a moment removed, and sal
| immovable, with downcast air. A lady
\ friend of the family sat with them.
/ John ]. Eckel occupied a Geat within the ba
I behind the counsel. He is genteelly dressed
| in u plain black suit and black cravat, anC
/ wears rich set of shirt studs. On the little
finger of his left hand CLEANS valuable ring
his beard and mOustache are full and dark, anC
he wears q handsome brown wig or tOupee. II,
converses freely AM cheerfully with Lis coun
sci and other friends around him, and apparent
ly regards the whole proceedings with the in
difference of one conscious Of his innocence
His long Imprisonment does not appear b
have worn upon him. aud no one looking upol
his placid aud rather prepossessng features
and mild hazel eye, can well imagine him t.
have been guilty OF the terrible murder will
which he stands charged. His stature is rath
: er SLIGHT, and his features are smaller and NOR,
dellcately formed than was represented in thu
engravings
J, AT 4 quarter before one O'Clock District At
torney Hall said he would call up from the cal
!, eudar Of the Court the indictment against Mrs
r Cunningham for murder. They were ready to
q enpancl Jury and go on with the trial.
Mr. Clnion-The prisoner is ready.
e Mrs. Cunningham then came forward ant
I, took seat by her counsel.
, Mr' Clinton-We will waive the reading o
the indictment, plead not guilty, and demant
trlti, for which we are now ready.
, Mrs. Cunningham, on removing her bacl
n veil, disclosed face very pale, but resolute il
It's expression. There was the faintest pOssbl
tinge Of pink, or light carnaiion on her cheel
= which had somewhat artificial look. He
, countcnance bore an expression of deep sad
ness, mingled with halt-concealei anxiety
E, which might he attributed TO caro- for he
\ children. She spoke few words in lov
calm tone to her counsel, and occasionally cas-
urtye glance upon persons around her.
T. The jurors were then called and examined
in order TO get a jury to try the case. TIT
T. trJt person sworn said that he had formed am
expressed an opinion which no had not changed
, The District Attorney insisted upon KNOWN.
the opinion, and the Court sustained the ques
tiJn. The juror answered that the evidence
as lar as he had read it, was not sufficient tt
convict Mrs. Cunningham. The District AT