The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-20
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, JERSEY
CITY HEIGHTS.
THE vosBuRGH TRIAL--sERMoN By REV.
PHOEBE HiNAToRD.

THE vosBURaH TRIAL-sERMoN BY REV.
PHOEBE HaNAroRp.
largo audience assembled last evening In tho
Second Universalst Church, Jersey City Heights 10
hear the sermon of the Rev. Phoebe A. Hanaiord On
the subject OF 'ihe great trial" Mrs Hanaford has
been constant attendant ot tho trial of tho
Rev. Mr.. Vosburgh, with whom she strongly symps-
pathizcs .How sngularly," she remarked, THAT In
looking on Thursday evening for text for
my Sabbath sermon should open the
page containing tho text swhat think you,
is he guilty? And they answered, He Is guilty OF
DEATH" Mrs. Hanaford read from Scripture por-
tion OF tho passion OF Christ ill she camo TO tho
verse which described tho growing OF tho cock and
Peters remorso after denying His Master, "And
going forth no wcpt bitterly" Tho preacher followed
with fervcnt prayer, in which sho invoked bloss-
Ing on him who was now trcading In tho paths OF
grief that Christ might be TO him in this hour OF af
nction tower OF strength and that he should Como
out OF this ordeal uusca,hed She also invoked tho
blessing oil Heaven on the good congregation that has
stood oy him.
"lho presence OF this largo audience" said tho
preacher SHOWED tho intense interest felt in tho
grave trial which has aroused the attention Of tho
community during tho past week. We all inter-
cstcd IN those great cases in litigation, which attract
30 much attention In tins nineteenth century trials
has seen aud will see tho people o. this city intensely
Interested IN trial which involves the life long
usefulness OF young man, and the happiness OF him.
self and ncar relatives aud which necessarily brings
discrcdit upon tho Church OF Christ since the ac-
cuscd is a minister oil the GospeL Every Chri st,nn
throughout the length aud breadth Of our broad and
Is or ought to be Interested this trial for n ono
member suffers all tho mc mbcrs suffer with H. Rec
ornizng tho justice OF that law which declares
every man to he innocent TIL he Is proved 10 Do
guilty. and believing in the justice OF aud desiring
TO Practice that charity which thinketh no evil,
we bound as law abiding citizens and as followers
OF Christ and Paul. 10 look upon the accu past or OF
neighOoring church as an innocent man, aud with
this view to lit up that Cd who is tho
refuge and the strceth OF His children that 10 would
strengthen and sustain tho accused and bring forth
MS Innocence as clear as tho MONDAY Naturally,
then, the thcmo which l would bring before YOU to-
night IS suggested by the circumstances in which
as inaivlduals ana Us community have been
placed during all tho past week. Up to
the close of tho last examination of witness the cvi.
dence taken mas been on tho side OF the
tho testimony seemed to many minds entirely
against the clerical defendant. AT this point the
Court adjourns until tomorrow. Tho community arc
lett to discuss tho matter pro and con. somc with
lcvity which comes from want OF true npprcci alton
of the seriousness of tho charge, and others with
case and deep sympathy for the accused,
and especially with his near relatives and friends.
Every truc mothers hoart must sympathize with tho
young clergyman's mother, who. after all her years
OF watcniui care aud tcnder love- proud hopcs
for her eloquent son In danger OF an utter and g
nomtnious overthrow nm glad that In an hour like
this shc can look to That Saw who was despiscd
with grief, and feel assured that Gcihsemano aud Cal
vary but family picture tho sympathy and fellowship
whicn nc nus to-day with every tried aud So nering
SAINT
DEFENCE NOT HEARD.
Opening litto Testament whilo In the horse
on my way to the Court House with the design OF
selecting q text upon which | might mediate. -
sat there at Intervals when Tho tcs,mony not OF
absorbing interest, my eye fell once and without
search or intention upon tho words OF my text
what think 70, Is no gutyY did not take the
judged guilty OF tho offence alleged, and sh ould
be greatly ereved To nnd the words prophetic IN
any sense. But sought to know their connection
~ An ilsran rnnrtn hat
very stage OF tho inquiry nm appropriateness which
has continued, since trial has advanced stop
beyond That oil the rst day. at least the prosecutor
stu charges and seeks TO provo his charges and Tho
defence has not been heard. no asked the question
OF our toxt2 The high priest Of the jewish
church. tMrs Hanaiord here proceeded to
speak ut somc length upon tho trial Of Jesus,
which she declared to have boon n mockcry, q nee
He was judged 10 he guilty at once and his defence
not even called for, ana tho evidence against HIM
wholly insufficient even u 4 had boon truel Shc then
spoke OF tho difference between the public opinion OF
Christ In Jerusalem at that day ana tho vcruic, OF
history now. She went on to show that truth tho
long run VIII prevail and finished by tho following allu
sion t0he Vosuurgh trial "rhcrc com orl
In the thought that ruo lie will tho Praise OF
God and the angels and share IN the Just OF
history, whatever DO the verdict OF the present II he
who dwcs among us Is guilty OF that whereof he Is
accused 10 ncQuIttal by any judge or jury will satisfy
his never slumbering conscience; " hc Is innocent
verdict OF guilty can take away from hni tho j.
PATTY OF that saviour who, without opportunity Of
Defence was judged guilty OF death. Tue urc has
arrived Tor the discussion OF many mora
questions suggested by the details OF this tria
IN midst but this IL - tho daty OF tho Christian
mns.er TO Count every true I'll his faisty
Is proved; suspend judgment during trinl until the
defence is heard pray for tho accused that II guilty
justice plainly and the cloud be lifted from
his way. God grant he may be fully vindicatcd ire
the awful charge and through coming years OF useu
ness ana happiness may make his widowed mother q
heal In