Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-05-13
Our Minister'S Trial.
By REV. W. IL. HAYWARD.

| A good man was our pastor, Rev. Thorn
ton Haven, and oIe Of no common
eloqucnce- Our bcst-I had almost
written good-church members loved him.
am sorry to say that few, thorned by
the words which fell from his lips when
he endeavored to exite his brethren and
sisters to
"a closer walk with God,"
regarded him with other emotions than
the fruits of the spirit.
Like other good men, he was carefully
watched by those who would have been
transported with fend-like delight could
they have found flaw in his conduct.
"Well we'll 7" said Mrs. Monroe, the
wheelwEight's wife, to her husband, as
they satsat the breakfast table one morn.
ing, suppose Mr.. Haven did kiss Fanny
Lawton. She was almost one Of the
amily-what in the world was the HARM"
But" said the wheelweight, II don't
believe that he did kiss her."
Fanny herself said that he did," re
piled the wife.
This seemed to be clincher to Mr..
Monroe, lie deliberately wiped his face
with his handkerchief, and with a down.
cast, thoughtful look, and much slower
pace than usual, went to his shop.
lie bad hardly taken his shave in his
hand aud begun to ply it on an unfnish-
ed spoke, before Deacon Brown came in
The Deacon stood awhile chewing small
fragment Of shaving and talking about
this, that and nothing. Suddenly he
said
"Brothor Monroe, have you heard
about our minister ?"
YES" replied the brother.
Then there was not word spoken for
several minutes. The wheelwright Justify
worked on the spoke-the Deacon looked
out of the window.
At length Mr.. Monroe asked, in low
tone of voice
What is to be done ?"
"Something must" was the Deacon's
answer or the cause will suffer-"
And then he walked rapidly up the
street.
What is the story about Mr.. Haven'S
improper treatment of young ladies p
asked the cynical lawyer Tompsou of
Woodward, the tavern keeper.
Why" said the mixer of sherry cob.
olcrs and drawer Of strong beer, "the par
son is no better than others"
.'llave you heard Of the sanity priest
lIaven's fall ?" was the question Of one
infdel to another.
Yes just as thought it would be-
ha, ha, ha -
Something must be done, were the
words Of Deacon Brown, land that soon, =
he thought, but did not speak.
So from the whcelwright's he went to
the house Of another Deacon Benton
johnson. He had heard the story, and
being another enemy, believed it. and
was determined to deal with the offender
The deacons called ON the minister
Deacon johnson was spokesman. The
story in full was, that Mrs. Barnard, a
grass widow-that is, a woman whose
husband has gone off because he could
not live with hcr-had heard, as she was
passing the parsonage, Fanny Lawton
say to one of the children, ~ ou lost a
kiss from your father by not being in the
house when he got home this afternoon
from The lower village, and | got it,
Mr.. Haven denied ever having kissed
the girl, and suggested that the deaeons
should write to Fanny, who was teaching
school about twenty miles distant, and
get at the truth of the matter.
The deacons did. They stepped into
the minister's study and wrote. La a few
days there came the reply:
" on ask me if on one occasion Rev.
MI. Haven gave NE kiss-where We
were, aud who were present. In answer
| state: Rev. MIR. Haven did one after
noon, while | was staying at his house,
and in the sitting room, give me kiss.
No persons but ourselves were present"
Deacon johnson was elated, and imme-
diatcly wrote to his wltc's cousin, a young
candidate, that there would soon be va.
cant parish where he, no doubt, could re.
ceve call.
Deacon Brown was thunderstruck and
disappointed Fanny Lawton's word was
not to be doubted-it was so plain mat
ter that there could be no mistake. Mr..
Haven, after all, was wolf in Sleeps
clothing, Still the minister denied the
charge. lie could not do such a thing
without being aware of it. and knew that
he had never kissed the GIRL or any other
girl but his wife, before marriage or since
in his life.
Deacon johnson brought the entire
matter before the church. lie was ex-
cellent on such cases. The charge con-
taincd to distinct allegations
l. Rev. Thornton Haven had been
guilty of a great impropriety, which rem
dered it expedent that be should be dis
missed from the pastoratc.
III. He had lied in the matter.
Fanny Lawton was sent for, and the
church called together. Rev. Solo Dick
inson, the pastor of ncighboring church
was present to moderate the meeting
The meeting s-housc was filed Every
member Of the church but old bed-riddcu
Polly Stearnes, was present. The tavern
was well represented. All the scohers
and scorners, within half a score OF miles,
who could get there, were in attendance.
The church meeting was duly opened
Deacon johnson then brought forward
his charges.
Fanny was called to testify. Her tes-