The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-26
FALLEN FROM GRACE.
Sensation In st. Louis CIiurch-Pubiic Ex-
Communication of a Member.
From the 81. Louis Republican, Nov. 23l


An event took place at the walnut street Presby-
terrain church on Sunday which created no small
sensation among the placid members OF That con-
gregation, which has formed the subject OF good
deal OF general comment since Its occurrence. IL
appears that young man named Barnett, hitherto
In sound re gous standing IN the eyes Of the elders
has been detected IN some decidedly questionable
practices In connection with the weekly collections
when passed through his hands. This discovery
made about week ago, and the pastor aud
elders, finding that the young man did not exhibit
true and orthodox contrition and repentance Tor
the act the commission OF which he per-
sonaiy confessed, no course appears to have
been left but accommodation, according TO ruDric
and rule. TINS ecclesiastical act, accordingly was
performed last sunday, and the uniruilfui branch
was formally discovered from the Church militant
Dr. Brooks making The proper announcement from
the pulpit.
However correctly tins action OF the Church may
accord With usages OF primitive antiquity, II unayoid
ably creates no small amount more OF sensation and
scandal than we have reason to believe 1t produced
IN earlier and simpler times. We do not suppose
that IN this instance anything more than what was
conceived to be strict duty was sought TO be per-
formed, and the measure Of publicity which 1t was
destined to reach was perhaps hardly anticipated.
small amount OF attention, and considerable inter-
eat Is felt respecting the full particulars OF the case
OF which we present q brief statement.
The young man named occupied the position OF
clerk IN the store OF the gentleman who holds the
position OF treasurer In connection with the Walnut
street church. and constantly acted as assistant TO
his empower In the discharge OF the duties devov-
Ing upon him as hduciary officer OF the congrega
ton It was IN this way ne had opportunity to appro.
PIRATE funds. There are no pew rents or taxes I'm
posed upon the members OF DR.. Brooks congrega-
ton; but each Sunday a. collection taken up TO
tary IN character. portion OF the fund go formed,
remaining after the current expenses are SUD-
tracted Is applied to create fund TO relieve des-
titute churches the State, to help In the build
ing OF places OF worship, supplement- salaries. &c.
The weekly amounts so collected pass INTO tie hands
OF the treasurer, formed OF sums varying from five
cents to twenty dollars, and perhaps more. mixed
quantity OF money generally between 5000 and $500
OF this description. requires unavodably some little
I'M
every confidence In young Barnett ana daily trust
ing him each week with his own money, saw no
danger In trusting him with the church collections,
and consequently, since February last the practice
has been to place the miscellaneous mass OF cur
generally took 1t home with him, making a return TO
his employer at his store next morning OF the aggre
gate amount. with memorandum Of It's chaGacter.
For long time past the treasurer and other man.
aging members OF the congregation have been some
what surprised at an uBaccountabe falling or In
the collections There we're no Indications that
anything was wrong with tue hearts OF the people
nor that they we're any less sympathetic to The eio
quence Of the pastor and the wants OF the visible
mistakably aud undeniably most curiousiy small,
The matter very naturally became the subject OF
much cog1taton and elaboration In conclave and
In households; but no solution could be arrived at
Finally q conviction forced Itself upon the mnds OF
the gentlemen cognizant OF the matter that some
member OF the church was embezzllng the coec-
tions. Suspicion very naturally directed itself
towards young Barnett. surveillance was estab-
and the suspicion Tsp atn rPenea ho into Ger
set trap for his assistant by privately counting the
money first end then aaasiDg tne amount IN the
usual way into the Young mans hau.. The gefs0lte-
aenf was az expected. Barnett made ais setnfn
next day, and behold IL was forty-six dollars lS-s
tnan that counted by tho treasurer. THIS brought
things 70 q clmax. Barnett was taxed with retain
lpg part OF the funds and at first denied It, but on
tue treasurer telling him he had counted the money
already le took twenty-five dollars out OF his
pocket and handed 1t over, but on further repre-
sensations, mingled with threats, he produced the
balance OF the tOrty-stx dollars.
These Developments, OF course, accounted for the
failing on In the receipts, and barnett was finally
induced to rake clean breast or the whole busi-
ness. He confessed TO having commenced pur-
first opportunity presented, 10y the collections
being allowed TO pass through MS hands, and
that the amounts ne appropriated bad reached an
aggregate OF fully 81, 900. lie began by retaining
small sums, fifty cents and such Ike, but rapidly
Increased, and sometimes kept back as much ~
seventy dollars BY his confession Ma case presents
features often seen before-a young man LED by OK
travagant tastes TO violate trust rcposed IN MIN.
Is IL said he was fond OF fast horses-fond Of the
pleasures always so Degulling 10 young man once
inoculated with the views OF city dissipation. lie
was member OF church body, ne was trusted
agent and employee but still he tell beneath the atai
spell OF the temptation.
TRis II the whole story OF the excommunication OF
last Sunday, which so sensationaiiy broke lii upon
the ordinary routine. As for the young man respect
ably connected, ne no doubt suffers keeniy rom the
result OF ms error, and we hope VIII strive 10 repair
It BY hin conduct for tho future.
The Princess Margaret recently asked the young
Duke OF Genoa, in reference to his accepting the
candldature for the throne OF Spain whether ne pre-
fcrred short life, but glorious and brilliant or
long ana peaceful AxiStoncA "Iha latter, replied