Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1896-03-27
MOVED raIAL.
IN, New Woman a. a Juror In New Der
sey.

The New Woman ~ n Juror In New Jer-
sey.
LAYTON, N. j., March II, 1896
Mr.. EDIToR;-Since my last regarding
the church embroglio there has been for a
time comparative quiet until on Saturday
last when trustees Major and Young were
served with notices to appear for trial up
on certain charges and specifications. Some
Of the papers were signed and some were
not, some Of them stated when and where
they were to appear for trial and others did
not. These notices were not received by
them until Saturday night. All wefe ap-
parently in Deming's hand writing. The
charges were Of the most trifling character
but as 1t turned out all sufficient TO meet
the requirments Of the program mapped
out by the pastor, and framed to evade the
scandal altogether Deming presided, al
though he was one Of the principals In the
case Young asked for adjournment on
the ground that receiving their notices Sat
urday, late in the day, they neither had
time to notify witnesses nor procure coun-
sci. The discipline distinctly states that
the accused are entitled to counsel. Dem
ing however denied the petition. Deming
then named the jury or committee, which
consisted Of James Cole, VIM. Drake,
Phebe Hampton, Laura Rosencranse and
Kate Kintner 1t is said that sufficient
number Of male members could not be OBJ
tnined, hence the females upon the jury.
Objection was made to VIM. Drake as not
being member of the church. Objection
over-ruled. objected TO as having expressed
opinions on the case, objection over-ruled.
Young asked permission to enter his plea
to charges received by him, but was denied.
Messrs Young and Major realizing that
the pastor, or president or whatever his
title, had matters fully in hand, and that
1t was prearranged that they were TO be
given the "grand bounce without re-
ference to what evidence they might offer
in defense, quietly withdrew. They first
however handed to Deming their pleas,
and answers to the charges in writing.
These were but once referred to during the
farce that ensued, and then Deming stated
that the papers put him on trial and were
not therefore relevant to this case. They
were not read. The jury set with faces
averted from the audience, and the wit
nesses, and partially facing the prosecutor
II. II. Vanness and the pastor. This was
by direction of Deming as he admitted
when it was objected to by Young. The
evidence; well it would be laughed out OF
a civil court. If you have never attended
q church trial in the country you have been
saved one painful experience, you would
only witness travesty upon justice that
would shock all your ideas Of fair play
Leading questions put into the mouths Of
witnesses and ordered written down az
evidence by the secretary (Mrs. Minnie
Clark BevaDs). The secretary was also
directed to record testimony worded al
Deming desired, and not witness witt
courage to correct his or her own state
ment. But no witnesses were sworn, and
perhaps it was just as well SO. l wonder
If it is characteristic of church trials that
the witnesses should all have consuming
desire to photograph and fix in theil
brains the exact figuring on the churcf
! carpet. i never attended one before anG
| hence the wonder. l have noted in civil
suits that most witnesses do not look aw
fully ashamed. These reflections suggest
some peculiar ideas to me and the same
may occur to others also. The Prosecutor
in knee breeches, the Pastor in top boots
the matronly secretary, and the new wo
men on the jury were oddities that strikes
one as being as peculiar in their way as the
method Of twisting testimony was in Its
way. After a dramatic recording by the
| jury Of its finding upon each charge, th'
pastor with assumed regret relegatec
Messrs. Young and Major back to thu
world, the flesh, and the devil, their
names erased from the church book anC
any part or participation with the elect II
the NJ. e. Church at Layton N. j., ended
This monumental farce beginning with
prayer, and ending with a hymn, remindi
one Of the time when, with chanting ant
praise to God, professors of the religion o
the meek, and lowly Jesus, piled high tn
fagots around their unhappy victims, ant
watched their dying agonies with grim, ant
pious satisfaction. Thank God that vi
have got past that at least. How can th'
church find fault consistently with peopl
who draw off from aiding or contributing
to its support, or quietly refusing to con
meet themselves with it, when it sets sucl
an example as it has to this people during
the last two years or more. Down deep Il
the hearts of all humanity there is an eve
abiding sense of right and fair play, and
will be hard for this church to obtain thei
confidence when it violates that principa
as it has now done. Many persons may Il
the heat OF passion connect themselves witt
a bad cause, but the inward monitor, rea
son will again in time resume its sway an
! a A. n.