Daily Kennebec journal., 1879-02-06
harms sighted. keen-witted men through long

sharp sighted, keen-witted men through long
deiberaton.
IL is difficult to see how one can read the
account of this theory as given in the Boston
Globe of Saturday. and set it all aside rs
nonsense.
| agree that the the publication of this
theory is premature. Yet as one of the
public, looking on from without the circle OF
relations and acquaintance, can conceive
of the possibility of suicide. But repeat,
the publication of the theory is premature.
The investigation is not yet finished. The
evidences are not all in. The detectives are
not unanimous Not only premature, but
heartlcssly cruel The public have not yet
forgotten the shock received on the announce
ment of the robbery and the murder of the
self-sacrificing cashier. They remember the
spontaneous sympathy of all hearts for the
grief stricken wife and children; the uncon-
trolled sorrow of friends and acquaintance.
Now when time has begun to heal the agonlz-
ing wounds they are ruthlessly torn open
afresh. cut deeper, broader than before; not
stcalthily by foes, but openly by professed
friends. 1t is claimed to be necessary; but
there is special consideration which helps
to explain this cold-blooded surgery.
j. Wilson Barron was protested ana ex-
cmpary christian and deacon of the church
II such an example of christianity is no bet
ter than any weak mortal, it is to say the least,
a point for infidelity. | will never conceal
corruption. The church has suffered too
much from corrupt members, who have crept
in. Though cxorcsm be painful, the sooner
the knife is applied the better.
| heard the new developments of the case
with sadness. | read the exhaustive account
by the Globe. and the accumulation Of evil
dences made the theory seem plausible. But
when | saw the closing paragraph stat
ing. at will be interesting TO knoW what
course the Congregational Society of Dex-
ter will pursue in regard to the Barron
Memorial Church." a new light broke in !;
the suicide theory as stated there began to
grow thin. The heartless gusto with which
this account cuts into the character of the
lamented dead might indeed be reekoned the
necessary work of skilled anatomy. But
what if, when the operation is over, the sur
geon gives another thrust of the lance in a
new place and 'is interested 10 khoW' what
pain it inficts!
Why should one ask mother whose son is
indicted for murder, what she will do with his
remains? Is it sympathy that suggests itt
But the son may be found innocent.
There are evidences not found i'll the Globe S
account that weigh heavily against the sui
eide theory. Why were these omitted? Bet
ter apply the healing balm than deal pain out
of curiosity.
There is no Christian that does not know
without dclberation what pain and embar-
rassment the proof of suicide would int'ict
upon the Church at Dexter. But lovers of
virtue, integrity and christianity are more
distressed than curious concerning the pos
sible developments of the case.
Whatever the truth may be, the cause OF
Christ stands sure pillars yet. 1t may suffer
like job; the Church system may need a
similar cleansing. Let Satan exult. The
Church, like job, will still survive.