Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-10-23

MINISTERIAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL - The
Richmond (Vt.) Council has occupied con-
siderable space in the columns of the Chron-
icie and Times, the parties to the discussion
(Which is not yet closed,) being Rev Mr.
Stafford, Of the Third Congregational church
of thi, place, on the one hand sustaining
his protest against the action of the Council.
and the scribe, committee TO defend the
council, and others on the other hand main
tanning the propriety of the action of the
Council. All are agreed as to the bad effect
of the too prevalent practice of filing pull
pitt by supply, rather than by settled pastor.
Most, probably have concluded that the Coun-
ell might have rebuked that practice with
sufficient severity, while at the same tine
permitting the Richmond church to fill their
pulpit as they thought best and probably
too, few doubt by this time that the Council
was unfortunate in selecting for such unu-
sual action, If an example must be made,
the weakest church in the County, and
young clergyman just entered ON the minis
try, neither Of whom bid fair to bc much
benefited by the discipline.
I'm Ecclesiastical Council recently -a-scn-
blcd at Westlord, to consider the question Of
discontinuing the pastoral relation between
Rev j. H. Woodward and the Congrcga-
tioual church, Of which he has been 50 many
year. the pastor The Council decided not
10 dismiss Mr.. Woodward The church
having, during Mr. Woodward, absence as
Chaplain Of the lot Vt. Cavalry. come un
der some obligations to Rev. c c. Torrey,
50 far even as to vote to give him a call, this
decision proves not entirely satisfactory, and
the church, with entire good feeling on all
sides, are discussing the proprlety Of calling
another Council to reconsider the matter.
Considerable feeling has been excited in
the town of Georgia, by some developments
in the ease Of "a Rev. Mr. Barnard, who has
been supplying the pulpit of the Congrega-
tional church there for year past. and who
proves as it Is alleged, 10 have been in the
practice of brutally kicking and whipping
hi, young wife. A. reported to us, some
eighteen distinct whippings were charged
against him. within the year, coupled with
stopping Of his wife's letters to her friends,
locking up her clothes SO that she could not
leave the house, and other unmarital and .
unmanly treatment. This became a matter
of such notoriety that the Reverend woman
whipper was given, by some of the young
men of the town, the alternative OF leaving
the place, or OF having a. conveyance fur
nished him from the nearest rail fence. His
case was recently brought before the Associ-
alton Of Franklin County, before which, as
We understand, he asserted his right as the
Iatriarchal head Of the family to whip his
wife. hut expressed penitence for the extent
To which he had exercised it. We are in
formed that the association found him guilty
If the oftnses charged, and recommended
him to abate the scandal on the ministry and
On the cause of religion by abandoning not
only his patriarchal" practices, but also
the pulpit which be dis.raced
At the Illinois Methodist Episcopal Con
ference held at Springfield, Illinois. in Sc
ries of resolutions was the following
Resolre5. That we believe slavery to be the
urinary cause Of this wicked rebellion and thtt