The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-06-03
A Clerical Scamp,

correspondent OF the New York Her
aid, writing from Hunterdon New Jersey,
gives an account Of the doings of a design
ing scamp in that neghborhood, as fol-
lows
Some time in the year 1873 the pulpit of the
Bethlehem Baptist church being vacant a call
was made on the Rev. John w. Porter, who
hailed from Maine, and. although possessing
satisfactory credentials as Baptist preacher,
seemed to be living around loose He accept
ed the call and was duly installed in the pulpit.
Mr.. forter's personal appearance was not in
ms laNor, he being of coarse features, tall and
pony IN physique and afflicted with stOop in
ms carriage, amounting almost to deformity
lie was about forty years of age and unmarried
when he accepted the charge Opposed to his
uncouth personal appearance, however, his
manner was pleasing and winning, and he
seemed to be gifted with spiritual JUNCTION
that clothed his physical failing with peculiar
charm. Possessing no little talent as a preacher.
he soon took captive the congregation in his
charge and they considered themselves partic-
ularly fortunate in the selection of pastor
They were not required to tax themselves
heavily to sustain him, as he was content with
a salary OF 5000 year and the charge of Sc
lect school, which yielded him as much more.
Living near the village where he and his an
restors have lived generation after generation
IS Il wealthy and respected farmer named Peter
w. aqures. He has raised a family of five chill
dren, only one of whom is left ut home with
him and his wife, all the rest being themselves
fathers and mothers in homes of their own.
The one remaining is girl of not more than
fourteen, named Selmda. She was a member
Of the Rev. Mr.. Porter's school, and remark
ably intelligent and promising pupil. Mr.. Por-
ter boarded at the SIuires' homestead. and.
although his partaity to Selinda among all his
pupils was noticeable, it was not thought
strange under the circumstances. A strong
attachment existed between the girl and her
tutor-pastor, and her parents also made a great
tAVOrite of him.
On the 18th Of April last the petted minister
asked leave of absence for Il few DAYS, stating
that he was going to Boston to marry a Young
lady to whom he had long been engaged The
leave was cordially given and his parishoners
besides made him up 4 handsome purse in
honor of the occasion.
When Porter took charge of the Bethlehem
church bat little was known of his past history
lie was very free i'll speaking oft, however, and
il was learned from him that he was native OF
Virginia, having been born in the native place
Of General Robert f. Lee, to whom, he said
his parents Were near neighborS. He had been
a captain in the Confederate army and fought
IN many of the leading battles, among them
Gettysburg and the terrible contests in the Will
dernc>S. After the war was over he came
North and, having an inclination for theoIog-
ical pursuits, entered the Chester Theological
Institute near Philadelphia, where he graolll-
at"d, and in lSt, was ordained 4 preacher of
the Gospel in Clinton this state. In 1870 he
arrap,pi !; palI 10 preach ON one of tha small
Islands near the coast Of Maine nj a,,ln,e called
Norton He was there nearly tvo wears hut
the .orIntv brino unable IA nav Ills s.l.,rv ha
RESIGNED If w;Is IN thot niarr he n,pt Niss
Mary Sratnn y member of IN old and ,va,Ithy
Niroino familv made dpstitutn NV tLt. ,yar
She was teaching school there. and mutual
attachment sprin.r ~ betwreu them which
eliminated in a betrotb;L soon thereafter he
left thr island nronisinu ia ,,ntnrn mn t,It
his VOWS AS soon AZ fortune 1;lynreI him in
worldly matters. His relations at Bethlnhem
rcsultinp 50 hruefcialIv he left ~ stated tn
marry lis brtrpthed nj no.tnn sh. ,.nn,inc, IA
that City 10 meet him
In ,ltc time Mr.. Porter returned to E.tlIe.
hem with his wife II very attractive and ryi
IDENTIFY 9rcompIshpd E,,Iv 1baut thirty ypars of
ace. The chiIrch ur0ulp were Irliuhfed 10 yaI-
come back thr pastor an,tshonor his wifa ana
had fitted up three rooms ,lurjna his absence
for Their occupancy. The room, were in y
house nccuujed by the t;imiIv of ,lnx,n,Inr
Bird ESD th. husband of one of t,r,nrr
S,nire,' daughters. Eycrytbno w. rrorrrss.
inc 10 the entire satisfaction of eyeryhody
wien Iast week a thuuderhoIt fell ON fine harry
community. The terrible discovery was mi,Ir
bv old Mrs Suuiras tint her ,Iouohier srIinJ.,
the tayoritr niluiI of the Rev. Mr portnr wIs
about TO become \ mother which discovery had
new horror attached to it by the child confess
ina that her seduccr wa, none other th,n her
reverend teacher
1t were folly 10 attempt a dissertation of tbr
4