The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-25

will be at once scanned, and measured, and
weighed by the conservative interests which to-
day hold the balance between the two great
party minorities.
the Clsrsy-Csso u Rev. j. y. Harden.
There Is now on trial for his life, at Belvi-
dere, New Jersey, young Methodist clergy
man, charged with poisoning his wife, under
circumstances exhibiting the greatest GOODNESS
calculation and heartlessness which perhaps
have ever characterized a crime of this nature
Entering the ministry at a very early age,
and surrounded by the seductions to which bis
position, his outward piety, and somewhat
brilliant talent for preaching, 80 frequently
expose persons of his class among the weaker
and gentler portion of young clergyman's
congregation, it appears that the Rev. Jacob
Harden had formed more than one acquaint.
ance of a tender nature with the female mem
bers of bis flock, eventuating in two or three
cases in promises of marriage, and subsequent
threats of legal retribution for violations of the
same. One of these pledges, however, he re-
deemed, it Is said with some reluctance, and
under threats of law proceedings, and he mar
ried in October, 1858, Miss Hannah L. Dorland,
"the millers lovely daughter of the village OF
German Valley, New Jersey. They lived but
little together, and then, it Is alleged, very un-
happily. Five months subsequent to the mar
rage his wife died, after brief illness, under
circumstances so suspicious that post norton
examination was insisted on by the family Of
the deceased, and quantity of arsenic was
found In the stomach. The conduct of the hus-
band during the illness of his wife was mysteri-
GUS; he alone administering medicine, and
otherwise devoting himself to the services Of
sick chamber in manner which excited sus-
picion. It Is stated that he refused to call In
physician up to the latest moment, and mani
ested throughout an Indifference which argued
title any desire that the sufferers life should
be preserved. But we will not enter into an
elaborate statement Of the Casa duty
which the proper authorities arc charged to
perform before the court and jury; suffice it to
say that while the inquest was pending the &C.
cused absconded to Virginia under IN assumed
name, and was there arrested, while pursuing
the avocation of q daguerrean artist.
The frequency Of grave crimes among the
clergy has Of late become remarkable. Almost
every day we hear Of the trial Of clergyman
of some persuasion for adultery, for offences
against decency, and for murder; and we can
not account for this deplorable fact better than
to attribute 1t to the insane fanatcism which
has seized upon that class all through the
with its kindred exciting delusions, spiritual
Ism, communism, and fteelove-for all of
which the mind Of the anti slavery agitator seems
to have an Irresistible afinity-has demoralized
the clergy; and not only demoralized, but de-
Christianized them, until by degrees they come
to be skepHcs In everything'but the sorrows
and sufferings of the black race, deists, and
practical infdels like Wendell Phillips Be-
lieving in the Almighty Niger, they cease to
believe In Almighty God Instead Of preach
ing the Gospel Of peace and love, they become
propagandists Of hatred and hostility between
different sections and classes Of their fellow
men. From this kind Of morality the descent
to tho commission Of crimes against tho law il
very easy; the step from the pulpit Of the min
lister to the cell of the felon ID short From
denouncing the law Of the land, and preaching
resistance to It, they at length become it, VIC
Tins. Wherever the insane spirit Of abolition
ism maintains sway we may always expect to
find leaning towards skepticism anA inAdeli-
~, which, sooner or later, takes bold shape,
and results in an utter disregard Of law md
morals among the clergy ~ well asfhe laity.
Who can say, for instance, how many q the
three thousand New England clergymen who
protested against the Kansas policy . few years
ago are really Christians, and how many Of
them are rank infdels at heart! 300 %