Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-05-11

HE CASE OF Rev. DR.. PoxRoY case

HE CASE OF Rev. DR.. PoxRoY-The cas-
OF the Rev. DR.. Pomroy, late one of the Sec
retaries of the A. B. c. F. NJ, which excite,
such deep surprise in the public mind, few
months ago, has received attention from tn
Church in Bangor, Me-, to which he belonged
The following document states in full tn,
action of the church, and the reason therefor
statement of fact and of action thereon, By III
Fua Congregational Church of Bangor, n
relation to the ReU. s. L. PomerOv D. d.
In December last, the attention of this churcl
was called to An official card of the Prudential
committee OF the American Board, which stated
that facts had recently come to their knowledge
deeply duplicating the moral character of Dr.
fomroy' Secretary Of the Board, who was also
ana Tor nearly thirty-four years had been a mem.
Der OF this church. This card was followed by
detailed statements in the public prints, purport-
| ing TO be based upon confessions made by DR..
| Pomroy at the Missionary Rooms
The church Immediately proceeded To mako
| investigation respecting these reports. but after
| persistent efforts to get at the truth they found
| no man who was able and willing to vouch for the
| truth OF the statements which had been made pub
| nc; and an application to those who were known
| 10 nave important Information, was met BY an
unqualified refusal to communicate that informa-
uon to the church for disciplinary purposes
Or Pomroy, however, soon published an address
to the Christian public and wrote to the church 4
letter OF like tenor, which was followed by a more
| extended correspondence. In this CORRESPONDENCE
! he made humiliating confessions of sin expressino
the most intense anguish Of heart in view of his
CUNT and entreating the forgiveness Of the church
! for the wrong he had done and the sorrow he had
| caused.
AT the same time there was an ambiguity about
LAM III
those whom be addressed. While DENYING the
actual crime Of adultery, he was understood bv
some as eonfessing the intention; vet TO this CON
strueton of his words there were serious objections
and no one was able to say confidently for what
"hense forgiveness asked.
This embarrassment, together with an intimotiop
from gentleman in Boston, that if the wav was
prepared for formal trial the requisite testimony
would not be withheld, led to the presentation If
specific charges, which were famed with the in
tention of covering all that the author supposed to
be susceptible of proof. In these DR.. Pomroy was
I'd:
char "s'Stont with virtue,
First, with conduct 1nyv..---
purity and morality, in yielding to the euticemeuus
of vile women, and visiting them at their homes
And secondly, with immortality and indecency,
in carrying on an improper correspondence with a |
woman Of disreputabe character.
The necessity of adducing and weighing testi- /
mony in the case, has however, been obviated by |
the distinct acknowledgment Of DR.. Pomroy that /
these charges were fully sustained and proved by /
his own previous statements to the church. And /
this confession is accompanied by renewed express
ions of pentence and humility, and with disa-
vowal of all desire 10 eXonerate himself from /
blame. In this connection, also, he renews his |
denial of the actual crime which has been extern
sivey taken for granted, and tells US that it did |
not occur to him, until after his address to the |
Christian public had gone into the public prints, |
that the language of that address could be inter
preted as a confession of a criminal intention.
And now, in view of all the facts in the case,
this church declares
First, that we know of no evidence which requires
OF justiies any broader charge than those whose
truth has now been confessed.
Secondly, that we are satisfied that Dr.. Pomroy
in his denials, his acknowledgements and his pro-
fessions has told US the truth, and nothing but the
truth.
Thirdly, that while his conduct has been ccnsur-
able. and inconsistent with the holy and blameless
walk enjoined in chnrch covenant yet since,
so far as we can Judge, the ends Of discipline have
been already attained in his humiliation and peni-
tence, respond to his request for pardon, with
the assurance of our cordial and entire forgiveness
declaring him restored and entitled to all the
rights and privileges Of a member of this church
10 regular standing; afectionately commenting
him to the sympathy and Christian fell Jwship of
the churches Of Christ throughout the world; and
earnestly praying that God may restore to him the
Joy Of his salvation, and preserve him from every
temptation. so that armed with the pauoVly Of
the Gospel, he may be able 20 queneh all the fiery
darts of the wicked, and may stand acquitted at the
Of the great day through the grace IF
God in Jesus Christ our Lord
Bangor, April O. 1860