The New York herald., 1879-02-05
A CRAZY CLERGYMAN.

THE REV. DIR. DAVID sUrPHEN, OF NEW
UTRECHT L. L., MADDENED IY MUCH STUDY
HE ESCAPES FROM HIS HOME AFTER MID
NIGHT PROBABLE RESTORATION TO REASON.
social sensation Of no ordinary character has
been the topic quiet conversation in the little viii
lage of New Utrecht, Long Island, for week past.
but until recently was kept from the public by the
strenuous efforts of the family OF the
Rev. DIR. David S. Sutphen. This gentleman,
who has been for dozen years the pastor of
the New Utrecht Reformed Dutch Church, on Tues
day last stricken with insanity in consequence
of long continued overwork. and now lies in the
house of his physician and friend. Dr. Frederick @.
De Mund. whence he is to be removed soon as it
shall be deemed safe to the asylum for the
Morristown, N. J.
Dr. Sutphcn is only thirty-seven years Of age, and
graduate of Rutgors College, New Brunswick Hav-
ing chosen the ministry profession he received
call from the New Utrecht Church before he had
completed his studies. lie accepted it. and during
the twelve years he has been there difficulty
has ever arisen between him and his people.
He was more than popular. being fairly beloved
by them ALL he was an eloquent man. and
social favorite Of attractive personal appearance
and exceedingly active in his pastoral work His
church is the second oldest on Long Island, being
over two hundred years DID, and under his charge it
has increased in numbers and prosperity. revival
of religious interest some two years ago having
added considerable to its membership. He
ceived a salary of $4,000 year. and
an annual donation brought his income to
$4,000 or s2,4OO. exclusive Of the rent Of
the pretty and neatly furnished parsonage which he
eccupiea he marreS p' e. pd,n aG9mt ten years ago.
five children have been born to him. Of whom orc is
dead. His wife is much of tavorite as himself.
beyond the ordinary lot of country clergymen
sTUDfoUs HABITS
M ne more ~ Of His nishts in stuy than
in Sleep and begrudgiug the necessary time for
bodily exercise After taking charge OF his church
he studied even harder than before. and
while his scholarly attanments increased
rapidly he suffered in health. Every sum-
lner his church granted him the custom
any vacation OF four or six weeks. and he usually
spent the time in some mountain resort. Last sum-
mer his need of rest being apparently greater than
usual, they sent him away for two months, which
were spent among the White Mountains the clergy
returning in the fall greatly strengthened Re-
strength again. and began seriously to fear that his
brain would give way. Some months ago he con-
suited DR.. h. Fleet speir of Brooklyn, but even
under his physicians advice would not rellnQuish
his habits OF excessive study.
A week ago last Sunday he preached from the
text-"Behold what manner OF love the Father has
bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons
Of God" and his sermon is described by some Of his
parishioners who look upon him always eio-
quent speaker as being something really marvellous.
"He seemed inspired. said one OF them. land there
was not person in the house who did not seem to
be deeply affected by his Words
OUT IN THE NIGHT.
On Monday night he retired to rest late, as usual,
morning his wife was aroused BY hearing him NOV
ing around the room, talking and gesticulaing vehc-
mently: She. asked him what was the matter, and
was alarmed by his incolerent reply She
made some attempt to soothe him, not un-
derstanding his excitement. and, rising. at
tempted to put her arms around him; but
he shrsnk back Putting up his hand and saying. "Go
away keep away from me for fear shall nurt you.
Then. although he was dressed only in his night
Chi ri and holn nor1y mai Of nan
he said II must CO. must CO." and atteinlked to
leave the house Mrs. sutphen ran after him and
aged to turn the key and draw it from
the keyhole. "You must not go out. now.''
and sleet was falling on tho muddy. half frozen
roads But he turned quickly anu passed out by
another door before she could reach It, and rushing
out into the storm disappeared Mrs. Sutphen
cries alarmed her servant Clara who hastily dressed
herself and down stairs to find her mistress
almost hys.erical and entirely helpless She could
only say that her husband had gone Clara
had run to two or three Of the neghbors houses and
called for help, Mrs sutphen could still only say.
I'm afraid he has gone to the sea-.
A TlsRRIBIE RACE.
In the meantime the unfortunate man had run
the main road. which passes through the village
furong from his own house. Here he turned the
corner co and as ne saa s ~ me,1 aerva
stopped and fell my knees and prayed to God that
He would guide me to the DOCTORS house. for felt
DR. lie Mund and his family. who live quarter OF
mile from the parsonage, as the boo flies had gone
their door bell and loud pounding on the panels Of
the door and. the glass Of window beside it.. The
physician. thinking 1t was some professional call,
put his head out of an upper window and called.
who's there ?" He startled to hear his pastor
reply "It's 1. and I'm a raving maniac. For Gods
SAKE come down and save me for the sake of my little
family"
Eurrying down. he threw open the door and DIR.
Sutphen came in. He was, DR.. De Mund says. in q
state OF terrible excitement. the perspraion stand
ing in great beads all his face and neck and his
bare feet cut and bleeding and covered with
mud. He said, "You must take care OF me- am
crazy. always thought 1 was going to die o.
consumption. but now am sure am going mad.
have great secret to tell you first thought What
is that. said DR.. De Mund. thinking to calm him by
conversation as he rapidly prepared sedative
draught. why replied the Clergyman. "the de-
rangement of the mind is exactly the opposite to the
decay of the body
STRUGGLING WITH MADMAN.
Derauged as he was his one anxiety was to receive
medical treatment, and he swallowed the medicine
without questioning and submitted to be put into
warm bed, where he lay quiet for a few minutes.
Mrs. De Mund and her mother had both been reused
and had come in to assist the doctor ard suddenly.
AZ the lat.ers back was turned. the unhappy
patient sprnng out of bed, saving, II must go.
now" He started for the door. and, had
not DR.. De Mund caught him in his
powerful arms. he would have escaped into the night
again. As it was, a struggle ensued in which for a
few moments 1t doubtful vino would be the
victor. The physician is by far the stronger man of
the two but he at TINT time unable to master his
patient until thoy had wrested and tugged at each
other up and down through two or three rooms. At
length. however, with the aid of the two women DIR.
Sutphen forced into bed again. and the sedative
drauyht after time began to work.
HOPES RECOVERY.
Since that time phe has improved somewhat. Ie
has had number OF lucid Intervals In which he
cognzes fully his position and condition and
presses the warmest gratitude for the care and
attention be IL receiving. The most of the time,
however. he IL raving. and talks all Imaginable
subjects in the most incoherent manner. he
quotes great deal of Scripture and argues knotty
points of theology with himself in the most lament
ably disjoiuted way, and sings his favorite hymns.
Only has he attempted since the night OF his
seizure to leave his present quarters, starting up
in great hurry day while Mr.. 4. NJ. Hcgcman
watching beside him. ying ~ must go home
now" He started for the door. but was brought
back with comparative case.
He is watched night and day by his wife aud men,
bers OF the Consistory of his church, aud Ia to bo
taken TO the asylum as 1t IN safe. DR.. Spear
has visited him during his illness and confirms Tho
diagnosis made by DIR. De Mund which Is that tho
case is one purely of nervous prostraton arising
from ovcrwork aud consequent exhaustion. Both
physicians believe that with proper and rest tho
patient will recover in time.