Year: 1867


From tho Boston Journal. May l4.l


An unusual excitement was created in
the town of Abingdon, Massachusetts,,
last Saturday evening on account of de-
velopments made respecting the conduct
of Rev. Serene Howe, pastor Of the
Baptist church, with the children of his
congregation. The facts, as we learn
them, are substantially as follows:


Mr.. Howe was settled over the Baptist
church five or six years ago, and has
continued its pastor ever since He was
very active in his care for the Sunday
school connected with the church, and
representative to the General Court. He
is a member of the present House. Some
time ago he buried his wife and one or
two children, and since those events he
has been particularly attentive to girls
and boys, especially those from six to
about thirteen years of age, frequently
taking them to ride, reading to them,
telling them stories, and doing every
thing in his power to crafty them.
Such was the confidence parents had
in him that they encouraged him
in his attentions to their chill
dren, feeling perfect confidence that when
in company with Mr. Howe they we're
entirely out Of harms way, and beyond
the reach of wrong or temptation. Thus
matters continued until last Saturday,
when two girls were overheard in con-
versation which led the person over
hearing them to inform their parents of
what they said. Upon questioning these
two children, their parents were greatly
shocked at the statements made by them
relative to the grossly improper familiar
tiles of their minister, Mr.. Howe, almost
daily exercised with them and other
children of both sexes. The parents of
other children we're informed of the
developments made by the two referred
to, and further investigation more than
corroborated the worst features of the
case. The statements of the girls were
sufficiently astounding, but those of the
boys were almost incredible and beyond
belief, showing the most unnatural and
beastly practices on the part Of Howe


During the early part of Saturday
evening some ten or a dozen citizens,
some of them parents of the grossly
abused children, waited upon Howe at
his rooms in the basement of the church
and making known their business, asked
him what he had to say to the charges
made against him, and his only reply
was, that he was not then prepared to
say anything He was talked to very
distinctly and plainly, and given to un-
derstand that it would not be safe for
him to remain in town any longer than
was absolutely necessary. Later in the
evening large body Of the young men,
having heard the story, proceeded in
body to search for Howe, but failed in
finding him.


1t is said that the intention of this
party was to compel Howe to sign
written resignation of his pastorate and
position as member of the school COM
mittee and House of Representatives,
and then to give him free ride on one
or more rails out of town, with an in
junction never again to disgrace it or its
citizens with his presence. But his
speedy fight saved the indignant peo-
pie from carrying out their intentions
The last heard of Howe he was in East
Weymouth, supposed to be on his way
to Boston.


This reverened Turk has since re-
signed his place in the House of Repre-
sentative8, and his resignation was sc-
cepted