Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-07-16

The CASE OF JUDGE CULvER.-The expul-
sion of Judge E. D. Culver from the first
Baptist church of Williamsburgh, N. Y.
some time ago, for alleged immoral conduct,
made at the time good deal of noise in the
community, especially from the abundant
reason to believe that the real cause of his
expulsion was his we'll known anti-slavery
sentiments. The gross violation of all rules
of justice and deccncy, in condemning him,
without even allowing him copy Of the
charges against him, the opportunity to con-
front his witnesses, or even to have list of
their names, showed that his condemnation
was foregone conclusion. As the majority
of the church refused to join in a mutual
council to examine the case, Judge Culver
and his friends were driven to the necessity
OF calling an er parte one. 1t met on last
Wednesday. Seventeen delegates, represent
ing fourteen churches out of eighteen invited
were present, together with large assem-
blage of church members and number Of la
dies. Judge Culver made heightened state
ment of the facts of the case, and read evi
dence refuting the charges. Ex-Gov. Briggs,
of Massachusetts,, Gov. Ryland Fletcher, of
Vermont, and other gentlemen addressed the
Council.
The following was the decision of the
Council
To Z. D. CULVER, ESQ.
My DEAR BROTHER The Council called by
yourself and 62 members Of the lst Baptist Church,
Williamsburg, in relation to your grievances with
said church-after patiently listening to all the
| evidence produced as a cause or causes OF said
| grievances, at late hour last evening, came to
| the following conclusion, and that too without a
single dissenting voice
ist. That in our judgment it is proved that the
Committee and the Church refused Brother Culver
| a copy of the charges made against him, on their
being requested by him to do so.
I'd. That in our judgment 1t Is proved that the
COMMITTEES and the Church refused TO give the par
ties accused the of the person prefarring the
charges, or those Of the witnesses TO be examined
or allow either Of them TO be present at the ex-
animation of witnesses on being requested to do So
Sd. That in our judgment 1t is proved that the
| Committee refused to allow Brother Culver TO pro
duce witnesses in his defence on being informed
by him that it was his desire to do so.
The following resolution was offered to th'
council by the Hon. @. N. Briggs, Of Mass, ant
unanimously adopted
Rssolvsd, By the sr parts council called by E. D
Culver and SO other members Of the First Baptis
Church, WILLIAMSBURG, that by the evidence pro
ducsd before them BY said Culver there was moth
ing appeared, in opinion, against the Christian
character Of said Culver or Mrs Mary G. Brown
that should dsbsr or prevent any other Baptis
) church from receiving or holding Fellowship wit
; them, notwithstanding their expulsion from tn
Fret Baptist church Of willisnssurgh. II wa
D finally
/ Resolved, That Hon. Judge Baker be CON
mittes TO make . report Of tha evidence, proceee
! ipgs and results in this council.
! The above is true copy from the minutes
said council Of which the Hon. Ryland Fletcher vi
Y chairman, and s. Remington was Secretary