The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-16


Apology 70 the Trustees-sonsstion In
the Congregation.
appears that last Sabbath evening Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher severely cassgaed certain members the Board
Of Trustees for refusing permit wendell Phillips
liver his reasonable lecture on the Dissolution Of the
Union" These gentlemen very properly took offence At
the remarks Of Mr. Beecber and rendered their resgna
ton. The affair has created no little excitement In
Plymouth church. The church was As much crowded
yesterday morning 90 usually Ia. Aer the preliminary
devotional exercises Mr. Beecher said he would better
prepared to preach his sermon by prefacing with
remarks about m event which, like all things relating
Plymouth church, had become matter OF universal noso
rely. alludc, ssid he, to my remarks made on last
sabbath evening in respect TO the denial this church to
Mr. Phillips for the delivery Of his address on the subject Of
from the papere and from gentlemen that presumed 70
know the facts in the case, that there had been,
ihroneh simdity, disposition on the part of the
trustees OF this church TO hold the church out Of
any trouble and unpopularity that might accrue from
yielding this room to Mr. Phil Pc; tina. there had
been q disposition on their part, through prudence
% withdraw this church from any such peril and risk
need not tel you that any such these
Toud bave peculiar tendency to stir me up 70 The
very bottom OF my life; for " there Is anything that
greatly admire Is that courage which enables any man
body Ct mel to take all the proper risks that belong
my irdignaton II is 10 those who are nearest
and dearest TO me refusing TO uphold what - right,
because tpey are aFa0 OF the penalties OF II And
posing that this the fact In the case stated my
pno the subject, believe, IN Q manner which was
entirely understood II now gives me great pleasure to
that after having bad full interview with the gentle
Of the Board Of Trustees, am satisfied that the
wnhhcldpg Of the permission Of the use Of
fprt Of unwiipRness 10 have free speech here Al
though there was division 10 their councils, although
wished to restrict the use Of this church more than
Others let in the end understand 1t, the Board did
lot feel that they sitting . Board Of Trustees.
The whole event took place about half nine ct night
was necessary that the notices should appear in the
morning papera rext morning There were six gentle.
sitting Informally; il not called meeting Of the
Board, bat they in consultation IN respect ecal
matters pertaining 10 The new church. They felt they
hat tight grant the church without holding meet
ing the Over and above this, there dis
position 10 gag or 'hvert Mr.. Phillips but there
the part o several gentlemen the prefer ut the time pay
all the expenses that necessary obtain any haAin
town where Re could speak Those that declared by thtr
vote they had 10 power 10 This informal meeting give this
pennsion were forward 10 that they wonld become
responsible pecupary for all the expenses getting any
ball that copid be obtained for him At short notice
made remarks which were severe desire 10 take back
those n marks In 60 fer they the gentlemen
OF the Board Of Trustees You will understand me VOC
well to take any thing back in respect to the matter Of
free speech or the nobeness Of free church. holding
Itself suhject to wbatever uDpopuartv may the
sake OF asserting principle But when have wronged
gentemep-whtn have wroDged them in their motives,
or in what supposed they had dore-thee pleasure
making reparaion just and explicit the wrong
bag been take back every word said that had any
iaoD TO their actonpot anything In respect 10 free
speech or OF Mr. Phillips right 70 speak msconstrued
The action Of the trustees and take all back wish
10 be as had not been spoken is not hard 10 DO
u, either fsensaonl ] have only word more to
say, and that thisThat always mpt be faith
mi, and more so to my folks, and the home
the more So and thought, ehoald think that
there was any waveripg or any instability Of principle,
would not hesitate TO barrow it as With an axe.
But If. in doing this, / ever do IL by haste or
misapprebension, or In any way by mistake, may
my right hand forget It's cunning and my tongue cleave
to the root OF my mouth, II fail instantly just
soon as have been persuaded that WAS mistaken 70
make the repnraton just openly and anything more
that is right Now then, with preach. (Great laugh.
ter.l