The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-30
THE HULL MURDER FOR 4 TEXT
A sermon by the Rev. Phoebe Hanaford, a
Friend OF the Murdered Woman.

The Second Universalist Church, at Grand
street and Summit avenue. Jersey City Heights.
was filed last night by an audience that had
assembled TO hear the pastor Mrs. Phoebe A.
Hanaford. preach on the Hull murder and
the considerations which that tragedy sug-
gested. The services were told In the
basement of Library Hall. The reading stand,
which was placed on a raised das at the end OF
the room. was adorned with two large bouquets.
Her features are pronounced and intellectual.
She speaks In n low but penetrating voice that
was distinctly audible in the remotest parts.
As one Of the Oldest members Of Sorosis. Mrs.
Hanaford became acquainted with Mrs. Hull
several years ago. and she recently became an
intimate friend and frequent guest at the dead
lady's house After the singing of hymn. fol-
lowed by a prayer Mrs. Hanaford advanced to
the reading stand. and announced as the text OF
her discourse the seventh. eighth. aud ninth
verses OF the seventh chapter Of Jeremiah,
will We steal murder, and commit adultery,
and come and stand before mo in this house,
which ls call led by my name. and say. We are
delivered TO do all these abominationsp p"
Mrs Hanaiord said that itwas, one Of the most
important duties OF ministers Of the Gospel to
draw lessons of morality and religion from
every public occurrence that points n moral,
The terrible increase OF crime and the fact that
II was openly committed under the gaslights Of
civilization and the electric glow OF the Gospel,
Afforded matter ior serious reflection. One OF
the most extraordinary Instances OF crime Is
presented In the circumstances and history OF
the Hull murder
After Indignantly denying the truth OF the
uncharitahle references to Mrs. Hull's pri-
vate relations, she had often felt that tho
press OF this country should bo placed
under. official supervision as In France.
But" she continued. Il have discard
ed that theory, and altered my opinion
in that respect when found that the discovery
Of the murderer Cox was effected by the enter
prise and intelligence Of a reporter. / now
favor the utmost freedom Of the press consist
ent with decency. justice. and charity. Tho
lesson taught by this tragedy to the police is
that they should exercise more watchfulness
before the crime, and indulge in less suspi-
cions of innocent persons after II, Policemen
should be selected with more reference to their
morality than TO their ability 10 WELD a club.
That this human tiger who killed Mrs Hull
had no intention to murder her. is not
sufficient excuse. IL is time for
sickly sentmentality ana maudlin SYM
pnthy for criminals to cease. | have
always been opposed TO capital punishment, but
! consider 1t better to hnng ,murderers and
burglars than TO allow them freedom 10 prey
against circumstantial evidence agree with
Judge Breckenridge Of Kentucky who told
n Jury, When you can tell how many
possibilities mako n probability. and how
many probabilities make "A certainty you can
convict on ciroumstHntinl evidrn. e." She said
that she appreciated the enthusiasm displayed
by a prima donna in another criminal caso. but
she Thought that Wall street should rather
recognize the services Of the BOstOn-rfnOrtcR-
who had by his action rendered their lives sel
cure,