The Press., 1892-06-09
SOMERS.

From our regular corTespondent.)
 l A child of minister was heard to say when her father was absent at county conference that she knew what ministers met fof, it was to swap sermons. That charge could not be brought against the I ministers that were entertained at Rev. | c. H. Ricketts, on Tuesday of this week.
 W. P. Fuller is spending two weeks l in the far west, combining pleasure and business.
 June 12 being set apart as children's Sunday, Pastor Ricketts will preach to them, and in the evening the children will give concert; theme, "The Garden of the Lord.'
 | Those stained glass windows just put in the center church improve the looks of the edifice.
 The floral display at the church last Sunday exceeded all former efforts on the part of those that have that matter in charge. | At the auction sale of the so-called Tupper farm Wm. Pease, of Longmeadow, was the successful bidder at $1,750.
 On Tuesday of this week c. N. Pom- eroy, as conservator for Laura A. Kibbe, sold the Deacon. Billings place in the Street. Mrs. Billings bought it for $2,O01.
 Somers, Conn.,, June 1892.
 It seems but just to the majority of the Center Congregational church of Somers that it should be heard in answer to the voice of the minority, represented in your issue of May 26.
 If we are mistaken in this conclusion we will most gladly acknowledge our mis- take, but, acting upon such indications to the contrary as we find in that letter, we ask attention to the following state- ments therein made, and to our attempt to represent the real attitude of 8 large DOT tion of our church and community, to- gether with the reasons therefor.
 Your correspondent quotes from Mrs. Fanny c. Gleason's letter to our church |: | ''The decision of the court shows no ground whatever for the accusations against me-" He says that the church had never investigated the charges, and, when speaking of the modified letter pro- posed by the pastor of the church, that some of the scredulous members" be- lieved the charges made by MT. Gleason. He says "Some had let prejudice oyer ride their judgment" and that the major | ity manifested Ia very uncharitable and unchristian spirit" He gives the opinion of his constituents, that "a black page is recorded on our church history, which says: On May g, 1899, a majority of our members refused to recommend one of their own flock to the christian cGre, aois- dom and aootc1. .fulraess of @ sister church. y"
 Let us consider these points The de- cision of good and wise judge, or of 8 bench of good and wise judges, is not nec- essarily an infallible decision. The limit ations of humanity belong to all men, and unless possessing a personal acquaintance with the chal acter of the parties involved, and the circumstances in a case, it is quite possible that they may be deceived: With due respect to the wisdom and goodness of the court, many of the major ity alluded to believe that his decision was based, in part, upon testimony that was very largely false. Since we are compelled to allude to so painful a mat ter, let us say, plainly, that for the pur- pose-of this letter we propose to pass over the graver charge made against Mrs. Fanny 0. Gleason, saying that many of thiss uncharitable and unchristian' ma- jority sincerely hope that the witnesses upon that point were mistaken, as to sight and hearing, respectively.
 F Now, as to the second charge. The Center Congregational church of Somers had Rev. c. H. Gleason for their pastor eighteen years. They knew him we'll i; they knew his faults, his mistakes, his limitations. Physically, intellectually and spiritually he was not perfect. But they also knew that he was a good man. They saw him in frail health, manifesting the characteristics of a aachristian, they saw him .burdened with cares, passing through sickness and the shadow of death, and they knew his patience. his long suffer ing, his cheerful assunai s3n of irksome tasks, his love for his parish, his truth and his faith. Since the date of his mar ] riage to Miss Fanny Clark the church and community have seen a grievous change in their former pastor. Many believe that mind and body very nearly gave way Many believe, and some know, that the sad change was due to the character and conduct of Mrs. Fanny c. Gleason. Many believe, and some know, that her lift grew more and more unwomanly, false and subject to evil passions as time wen on. ;l Had the church, or individuals, cher ished hope of reformation on her part it was crushed by the astounding testi mony which she gave, under solemn oath against her husband. That testimon, was so skillful and ingenious fabric o half truths, deftly woven with whole false hoods, such an exhibition of pervertet emotions, gifts and talents, that the in evitable result follows. It is not 8 mat IT H I S w E E K
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