Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1912-01-12

Boston. Jan. IA scathing denun-
ciatlon OF Rev. Clarence V. T. Richie
son. the scif-coniesHed murderer OF
Miss Avis Lnneu. was contained in an
address delivered today by President
George z Horr to the students of the
Newton Theological institution. Of
which Richeson is a graduate. Presl-
dent HOrr. who was 20 have solemnized
tho marriage Of the pastor to Miss
Violet Edmands. described Richeson as
"a scoundrel." "a man convicted of
colossal crimes" and "a traitor TO God
and man"
Barely Of Average Mentality.
The deepest sympathy for the Lin
nell aud Edmands families was ex-
PRESSED By President Horr in his ad
dress. Speaking Of Richeson's student
days al the institution, he said:
In the opinion of the faculty Mr.
RIcheson vas a young man Of good
character and of social graces, but
barely OF average mental capacity and
ettsinments.'
Visien Of Wealth and Social Station
OF Richeson's relations With Avis
L.innen, President Horr said:
After this girl had been debauched
there was but one course open to
Richeson, and that was TO marry her
but the vision Of wealth and social
station had dawred on him. To carry
ont his purpose Il was necessary to
make way with the girl who had be-
come his victim"
Cold 5Ioodea Hesrtlessnsss.
President Horr said that Richeson
welded 20. common temptations.
-Richeson," he declared, is only ex-
cepuonal IN the cold -blooded heartless-
ness with which he subordinated every
-1nElderation 81 kcnor and fidelity to
his own egotisu-to his pleasure and
90 his ambition"
Enormity of His Sin.
VOW, this man Richeson stands con-
victed Of colossal crimes. He faces
the death penalty. The fact that we
knew him: that he studied in these
halls. attended our worship and shared
or life. must not blind Hour eyes to
the. enormlty Of his sin. All personal
considerations, all desire Of shielding
him or any ore. his family, his friends,
rhs seminary or the church or Chris
tan causes IN general, must be put
aside while we think of this sin as it
ought 70 be thought Of.
Minister Accepts Sacred Trust.
Every class or profession has it's
=
chaste. a man who lies. trustee who
Sc trsacherous, is not in the ranks Of
decent people. There is a point Of
honor in every situation that holds
every true man. He may be bad about
G thousand things, but he VIII not go
wrong about that or he Is not a man.
This principle applies TO ministers Of
religion The minister has access to
homes and 10 family life as perhaps
l..
Lhc moral guide and counselor OF the
Young. That trust is sacred. 1t is
the point OF honor. In the company
az their minister father and mother
suppose that their daughter is safe
we can hardly imagine a more heinous
-rime than for a minister Of religion
10 debauch e young girl OF his par
iEh. q glrl whom no has baptized and
in whose family he has been received
ss pastor.
L Is easy 10 understand sins Of
passion when the wild beast Of ones
nature springs upon the better man;
but 4 is not easy to understand the
ueschery to God and to man, the
utter baseness Of one who is guilty Of
q sin ike that. II Is worse than the
treachery Of the watchman who sur
renders the keys Of the city. 1t is the
trusted watchman becoming an armed
enemy. Il Is a sin that strikes at the
very integrity Of manhood.
Minister Should Rise Above Other Mer
Much is said about a ministers be-
ing only a man among men, and the
Implication of the phrase often Is that
We ought not 70 expect conduct in q
minister greatly different from the
prevalent code. But, let me tell you
1uy brethren. II a minister Is only G
L. ..s...
above other men IN purity Of though
and motive and conduct he is not n
10 be q minister. You might as vel
So that II IL not necessary for a ma
val commander 10 be more skiiful II
navigation than other men, or for Z
soldier not to be braver than othel
men. Tie integrity Of his moral life
Ihe EholesOmeness OF his reactions II
every situation is the essential quail
neahon OF e minister.
But One Course Open to Him.
Altar this girl had heen deDauched
there was but one course open Il
Richeson. and that was TO marry her
but the vision of wealth and socia
station had dawned on him. Thes
seemed 70 be possible through alllanc
with the Brookline family. 1 will no
dwell on the details. The. course o
GENTS = perfectly clear. TO carr,
est aie VErpose il was necessary, &
Eake way with the girl, who had be
2 Rce fis victim. Y need not remin,
gay ~ toe ccld-hlccoed heartlessnes
NifA slaich the purpose was fulduee
me Esrruon5 ia his church the day aft
ar ths girl died the suspicious arousel
2 tae punlic mind, the protestations 0
rncrence 20 his relatives and friend
ali the church. the deceptions prac
csed ~ his counsel his salf-Inutiia
uo1. aud finally the confession, clos
ing IN the death sentence.
Has Betrayed His Friends.
Seldom has man had mere stal
WErt friends. but he has betraye
friends and enemies with equal indif
ference. Our deepest sympathies z
out N the two families, one In Hy
anlis the other at Brooiline, whor
le has so grieVously wTOnged. As {
he lady 70 wnoIS he was TO hav
riFl married IN October 7 have y
ezrE as tD her fsitnre. She has show
iizt sac Is brave, true-bearted VIC
lnar- 60 not sd9Dbt that her InorS
reylisiun AGAINST the man who ha
Rcu her affection is complete Il
las nor harmed neF, except rs one
harmed b. the discovery Of the base
ness tha- takes away confidence
another. And she must be tliaukf,
every CAV OF her lie that she wa
grea ented from Joining her life 10 ths
of q scoundTel.
Leave RioheseH with God.
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