New-York tribune., 1870-08-26
THE CHURCH SCANDAL AT BRiDGEPoRI.
n,smIssAL OF THE REV. MR.. RICHARDS WITH
OUT LETTERS OF COMMENTATOR.

DISMISSAL OF THE REV. MR. RICHARDS WITH
ONT LETTERS OF COMMENDATION.
Tho ConsociatiOn of Fairfield County, East,
oonn convened at bridgeport on Wednesday, TO take
into consideration the resignation OF the Rev. george
m pastor of the First Congregational Church OF
bridgeport and the vote OF the Church and sociey
the acceptance of such resignation and asking that the
usual letters OF commendation be granted to him.
The names OF the pastors representing the churches
and the lay delegates representing the Societies In tho
following parishes called, VIZ: Bethel Bridgeport
Firso Brookeld Danbury First and second) Hunting
ton, Monroe, New-Farfeld, Newtown, Redding, STRAIT
ford and Trumbull. ,.
present who had charge Of church and consequently
were not members Of the Consociation, although mem
b. B. Bearlsley the Rev g. b. Day, the Rev. MT Daven-
port. and the Rev MT Jones' all Of Bridgeport. mo
tion offered and adopted permitting tneh !" Sis 10
The papers to be acted upon by the Conservation con-
and the vote OF both the Church and the Society on the
acceptance OF the resignation and ndorslng nun Ior
commendation to other churches and societies. were
Tn reply to an inquiry of Moderator whether there
member stated that there was paper signed about
persons who had pledged 10 ~ te
The Rev Mr. Beardsley then rose and stated that ne
had some depositions (nade by ladies reatiye 70 im
Which he desired to read but the Moderator decided that
they could not be properly presented at ,nas TIME
thew should dissolve pastoral relations between Mr.
Richards and the First Church OF Bridgeport The r1ec-
on OF the dispositions at this stage OF the proceedings
gaye rise to an excited debate when 1t decided to
clear the OF outsiders and 30 into secret session Tor
on reopening the doors Mr. Lyman, relative Of Mr..
Richards made able and eloquent appeal TO the Con
sociaon in behalf OF MI Richards, who he SAID ha1 foL
a period OF thirty years maintained an unDemshed
reputation He had been known "a man OF integrity ana
in consequence OF
loss OF one eye his mind and health had become impaired
that he lacked moral courage ana MS manners
ff,nin hat
clans who had attended him had expressed an opinion
that some lunatic asylum would have To receive
him as an inmate. Mr. Lyman closed by urging that MT
Richards be dismissed with full papers OF
After recess another secret session was held ana
what ranspred thereat could not be fully ascertalned
but Judging from the tenor OF the resolutions adopted II
is presumed that the deposons offered by Mr. Boards
lev were read and Influenced the action OF the
Consolation. They were as follows
First: That the pastoral relations existing between the
Rev. George Richards and the First CongtegatlOnai
Church OF bridgeport be dissolved.
Second: That while to this conclusion we ten.
der to Brother Richards prayerful sympathy ana
hope OF his recovery and while we deem IL ex
letter OF c0mmendatiOn we do not design tnereDy 70 I'LL
pcate his character. . "a.
pastor cordial sympathy and assurance OF interest
In its present and future prosperity.
Subsequently another resolution expressive or deep
sympathy for the family OF the Rev. MI Richards was
II wa- stated that Mr. Richards ia sojourning with
relatives Massachusetts, and that his health ana
mind so greatly impaired that slight hopes are en-
tertaned OF his recovery. - -,
Among the members Of his late congregation Mr. Rich
has evidently host OF warm personal friends VINO
persist his OF the charges preferred against
him. and contend that they the result or malicious
persecution started by another clergyman, whose name
has figured prominently in the matter III ls also under
the Society intend 10 request the returns OF
Mr. Richards his pastoral duties for another year, II
the state VI his health should permit him to do So