New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-09-26
Mr.. BEECHERS CARD.

To "A. Editor ~ The " u Hi51ae
SIR: The letter from the Rev Henry Ward Beccher pub
shed by YOU yesterday calls for statement Of the facts
relative 10 the Plymouth Church Letter. which briefly
as follows: Immediately following the publication of Mr..
Beechcrs Cleveland Letter it became apparent that
general feeling Of surprise and Indignation rer'aded the
minds Of the members of Plymouth Church at the posi-
ton which their Pastor had assumed IN that letter BY
some /, was advised that a call for general meeting Of
the members to consider the subject be issued at
but after consultation between % 80 of the leading
members Of the Church the of whom are at the
dspo.al of Mr. Bcecher hail. il was decided to pre-
mare brief address expressive OF the views OF the men,
crs Of the Church, and then To submit to each ay
for his signature present 70 Mr. Beecher Inc ." ION
of this plan OF course necessarily Involved some delay Inc
however prepared pursuant 10 this understand
ing and was ready the second Sunday following the
Indication of Mr. Bccchcrs letter 10 be presented 10 me
members of the Church for their slgnaturcs when 10
another letter from Mr. Becche addressed to Capt Dun
can was read from the pulpit OF Plymouth church. ana
MAS uudcr, ood 20 be- codcil supplement- to tho
cleveland letter As il found that this letter par
tiav anticipated and answered some OF the objections
contained i'm the address II was deemed unnecessary 70
forward it communication 10 Mr. Beecher nut proper
and important TO give It 10 the public III connection WIN
his second letter @ true expression of the Feelings oi
the members of his Church with regard TO the position
which he had voluntarily assumed before the puDlc on
the subjects discussed BY him in the letters referred to-
For this reason the address on the following day was
rublshcd in connection with Mr.. Beechers letter not,
however so to seem the caHse of Mr. Beechers
second letter. but on the eolrary so that u might DE
known and understood being answer TO his hrs let
Ter and "a cmbodying the sentiments Of the members OF
his Church ia regard TO the poitica dOcthes Wheh he
had seen fit TO proclaim therein
Mr. BeccheT laws much stress upon the fact that the
Address was not signed by any Of the deacons, trustees or
members of the Church IL Is qute true u was not ana
The reason therefor have endeayoed to explain in this
note: but caa it be that Mr. Beecher feels justified from
This simple fact in ntimatng that the Plymouth Church
Address was ndorsed and approved Of by any OF the
dsncons trustees or members Of his Church hope not
Several Of the officers and exOicer of the Church were
NOT only consulted with reference 10 the Address but gave
II bc, cordial approval and would gladly have signed 1t
bad an opportunity been afforded them 10 do so.
And nov in reference TO the address not having been
approved b, the members Of the Church, propose 70
NH mat amos ion at rest by making this propositions;
viii agree 10 d post with Mr. Beechcr $1,000, to be dis
rbuted among he poor Of his church If he viii show
that oHe-quarter pf tue members OF Plymouth Church