Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1880-04-08

| appear beforea " council " of the church
to answer certain charges. The trial
came off in the church, and was-as
long as it lasted-public. In his best
days" the Rev. John Raymond never
met larger assembly there than he now
encountered on this, one of his worst
days" He was accused of intemper-
ance. and of making a murderous as
sault. To be guilty of either of these
! untitled him for the ministry. In sup
port of the first charge, George Rankin
was reluctant witness. He testified as to
Raymond's habits at college; and in an
swer to question, stated that he had
felt since Raymond had become the pas
tor there that he was an Incorporate
man. Though lOath to say as much,
when asked at such time he must tell
the truth. There were enough to testify
as to the pastors singular customs and
manners while be had been in Berkton.
One member of the council contended
that the bleached hair and sunken eyes
of the accused were strong evidence of
his dissipation.
To sustain the last and gravest accu-
sation, one ofthe brethren simply stated
what was universally believed to be the
facts as to the cruel and almost fatal as
sault upon Mrs. Raymond. The church
closed the present tion of its case Per-
haps the majority of the assembly were
no more certain of the minister's guilt
after hearing the evidence against him
than before. They had no doubts about
it when they came into the church; it
was thought that Raymond would make
a great speech in defense of himself All
eyes were riveted upon him, as with a
pale face re arose to answer the charges
brought against him. Instead OF long
defense, he made very brief one.
Brethren said he, "before God,
solemnly affirm that, since have been
the pastor of this church, 1 have never
been Incorporate; and that I have
never made an assault upon any person.
speak the truth, but l have no witness
to testify in my behalf. Men may have
inferred from my manner heretofore
that some dark cloud overshadowed my
life, and one has, but now, thank God,
that cloud has disappeared. Brethren,
| believe l am called to preach the gos-
pei. Permit me, beseech you, to con-
tinue my work here, and make only
this demand of me, that, if henceforth
my conduct shall seem unbecoming a
pastor, and these members of the church
so inform me, shall resign my pastor
ate at once; and am confident YOU will
never regret that you gave me a chance
to regain your respect and affection.
The dead silence that reigned when
the pastor had closed and resumed his
seat. was in moment disturbed by the
rustling of a dress on the stairs that
led from the vestry up to the audience
room. person ascending these stairs
would, on reaching the top, come into
UIaW nf fbnca Gaafp6 in ho
seats face the stairs. The chairman of
the council arose, but before he could
offer what he had to say, there came
into the presence of the assembly lady
veiled and elegantly dressed. Stepping
to a place in front of the men who con-
stitutPd the council, she threw back her
veil, disclosing face which, though it
bore the marks of disease or indulgence,
was very beautiful. 1t was face
whose portrait George Rankin remem-
bered to have seen.
am here" was the quiet reply, ''as
witness for the defense. My husband
would not summon me, and I come to
give voluntary testimony in his favor.
John, you must allow me to speak"
The stranger-for she was such to
nearly every one in the place-then ad-
dressed the council as follows:
Gentlemen, you misjudge as noble
man as ever lived. The charge of in
temperance you have made against him
should have been made against his
wife. The blow that nearly ended the
earthly existence of that miserable wife,
that you accuse him of giving, was ad-
ministered by her own hand. / stand
as witness of his innocence. And not
only that, but, as [ trust, redeemed
soul saved by the entreaties, ministra-
tions and prayers of my husband, whose
patience and kindness have known no
limit"
A new church has been built in Berk-
ton, and the much loved pastor, the
Rev. John Raymond, breaches to a
larger congregation than the old build
ing could hold. The pastors wife has
as warm place in the hearts of the peo-
pie as her husband; and is considered
very earnest Christian woman. Itmust,
however, be owned that there are many
who believe she is the possessor of still
another important secret of knowing
how to be the most charming woman
that Berkton has ever known,-.Spring-
field RepatbLic1p.