The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-25
ANOTHER FALL FROM GRACE.

CHURCH SCANDAL IN NEW JERsEH-A cLER-
GYsfAE sEDUcEs A YOUTHFUL PARIsHIoSER-
THE MATTER or FACT FATHER OF THE VIC
TINA POPULAR PASTOR AND ms YOUNG
PUPIL.
ANNAEDALE, Hunterdon County \. ~
hay -, 1873.
This seems to be the year for clerical scandals,
and the injection has spread to this unusually
moral and staid locality The little village Or Beth
lenem, IN this county is moved 70 the very CEN
ire or Its social existence by developments OF the
most extraordinary nature, which recently came
10 light in the religious circles OF the yilagede
veopments which have destroyed, for the time,
at least, the main ount or spiritual sustenance in
the place, brought disgrace on an old and highly
respectable family and banished from the town q
man who ms been for nearly two years at the
head OF large and nourishing religious denomi-
nation as It's trusted and reyered pastor.
THE CALL or PASTOR.
some time in the year 1873 the pulpit OF the
Bethlehem Baptist church being vacant a CAL
was made on the Rev. John W. Porter, VINO hailed
from Maine, and, although possessing satisfactory
credentials as q Baptist preacher, seemed 10 be
dying around loosen He accepted the cali and
was duly installed in the pulpit. Mr. Porter's per-
sona appear ance was not IN his favor, ae being
OF coarse features, tall and bony in physique and
afflicted with stoop in his carriage amounting
almost 10 deformty He was ABOUT forty years or
age and unmarried when he accepted the charge.
opposed TO his uncouth personal appearance
however, MS manner was pleasing and winning
and he seemed 10 be gifted with spiritual
JUNCTION that clothed hts physical falling
with peculiar charm. Possessing little talent
as preacher. he took captive the congre-
cation IN his charge, ana they considered them
selves particularly fortunate in the selection OF
~ hon
selves heavily to sustain him. as he was content
with a salary OF $500 year and the charge OF a.
select school, which yielded him as much more.
THE FARMERS FAMILY.
Living near the village where he and his an
cestors have lived generation airer generation Is
a wealthy and respected farmer named Peter w.
Squires. He has raised q family OF dve children,
only one OF whom Is left at home with him
and hts vile, all the rest being themselves
fathers and mothers in homes OF their own. Tne
one remaining Ii a girl OF not more than fourteen,
named Sennda. she was member or the Rev.
Mr.. Porters school, and a remarkably intelligent
and promising pupil. Mr.. Porter boarded AT the
Squires homestead, and, although his Partially 70
Sehnda among all his pupils was noticeable, 1t was
not thought strange under the circumstances.
strong attachment existed between the girl and
her tutor-paster and her parenGs also made great
faYorlte oil him.
On the 18th OF April last the petted minister
asked leave or absence a few days stating that
/
whom lie had long been engaged. The leave was
cordially given, and MS pensioners besides made
him up u handsome purse in honor OF the OCCASION.
RECORD or THE PASTOR.
When Porter TOOK charge OF tine Bethlehem
church but little was known OF his past history.
He was very free III speaking OF IL, however ana
IL was learned from him that be was native OF
Virginia, having been born In the native place or
General Robert E. Lee, TO whom, ne SAID, MS par
ents were near neighbors. tie mad been captain
In the Confederate army and fought IN many OF
the leading battles, among them gettysburg and
the terrible contests in the Wilderness After the
war was over he came North, and. having an IN
clnation theological pursuits, entered the
CHESTER Theological Institute near Philadelphia,
where he graduated. and In 1867 was ord lined
preacher OF Gospel Clinton TINS state. In 1870
he accepted d call 70 preach on one OF the small
islands near the coast OF Maine, at a place called
Norton lie was there nearly two years, but the
society beng unable to pay his salary he resigned.
IL was in that place he met MISS Mary Seaton,
MADE destitute By the war. She was teacnlng
school there, ana mutual attachment sprang up
between them, which eliminated IN betr0tnal.
Soon thereafter he lett the island, promise ng 10
turn ana fulfil mis- VOWS as soon as fortune favored
HIM IN worldly matters. HIS relations At Bethle-
hem resulting so benencialy, he left as stated 10
marry ms betrotned al Boston, sue coming TO mat
u city 10 meet nim
In Que time Mr.. Porter returned 10 Bethlehem
4 with his WIIe very attractive and evidently
compllshed lazy, about thirty years OF age. The
cnurcn people were dehghted TO welcome back
the pastor and honor ms wife, and had fitted up
three rooms during MS absence for their occu-
pancy. Tne rooms were In house occupied by
the family OF Alexander Bird, Esq, the husband OF
OF Iarmer sources daughters. everything was
progressing TO the entire satisfaction Of every
body, when last week thunderbot fell on the
happy community. The terrible discovery
maue by old Mrs. Squires that her daughter Selinda,
/ the laYorlte pupu OF the Rev. Mr.. Porter, was
ABOUT TO become a mother, which discovery had
I new horror attached 10 IL by the child conessing
that her seducer was none other tnan ner reverend
teacher.
A SENSATION IN THE FLOCK.
IL were folly 10 attempt description OF the SEN
satlon that lolo wed this totally unsupported and
incredible ayowal. Su1ice IL TO say that hen the
accused preacher was confronted with the crime
by Ine heartbroKen mother OF the girl that he
acknowledged his guilt. He said that when bis
intimacy with the child began II was with no
/ thought OF wrong dong or even imprudent rela-
ton, But their contact IN studies aud pastlmes
had resulted in crime, and he freely confessed TO
having ruined MS charge.
nt supplement- 10 the almost unparalleled con-
Duct OF TINS false teacher was tue heartless man
ner In which the father OF the enid treated the
AFFAIR lie considered il In the light OF business
transaction, and apsolved Porter rom all
responstDtnty ln the matter in couslderA-
tion OF the latter delivering up g him his
horse harness and buggy, remarNin- mss the
harm was done, aud the only thing saH. nY man
could do was 10 make all tie reparaf4ur Int lay
! in his power. How the guilt OF her ueW-made
husband affected tue young wife Is not known.
She saw no one after the sickening disclosure was
made, ana left, heavily yelled, with her husband
the same night, taking the cars on the Central
Railroad at TINS place Tor Philadelphia.
DISMISSED FROM TIB CHURCH.
Charges OF gross immortality were AZ once instt-
tinted against Porter by members OF the CnuTcn,
I and were heard before an ecclesiastical council
I called to consider them. After hearing the testl-
\ mony, the council adopted resolutions requesting
Y that the late pastor be deposed irom minlsterlng
49, md frnm IN