New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-27

,.,ore Mr. Benedict had fairly gained his seat Mr.
pasoher was upon the PLATFORM and, being announced
th the words Mr. Beecher, brethren, stepped to the
cary edge OF the platform and delivered perhaps the
s fiery eloquent speech IN vndicaton OF the position
Church. ami OF himself in it, that before
,rom his lips; for his sentences uttered with
cha RIGHTEOUSNESS OF almost uncomfortable emo
INN and his expressions pointed and
smnhasizsd by the moisture which stood ia
~, eyes all through his long effort and the tears which
Al times rolled down his check SO intensely sympathetic
xere the OF his voice. which high In the
excitement OF his sentences and 0uivered as they
MEN who had signed the communication that the vast
audience moved 20 tears and the conclusion the
wet eyes among his listeners were seen ali over the
Idont wish to take the time that will be occupied by
other brethren but feel that more ought 10 be said
snd give way THEREFOR II Tue brethren shouu WISH 20
continue or more 10 enlarge it, Otherwise, should like
10 make few remarks and then to be allowed TO retire
ICries. Go on. go Ony'l have been more than
quarter OF century pastor of this church and OF this
fallen TO the lot this to have serious trouble.
One why, suppose. 1t has happened to IL is
speech and for tie fullest discussion on ali subjects
dont THINK we gam anything by t5esunS subject ia
heard can say. without being misunderstood think
mrs In speeches BY those with whom l do not
agree than in those with whom / do agree.
That is to say it Is perfectly natural that
incs That perfectly natural IN church meetings and
that have existed between me aud this church. But
ike 70 hear men speak Tor those that are not here to
sneak for themselves; and though do not always
With brother Mckay, think that the question OF
pagDanmity we stand on the same level. [Applausel
And though don't believe in his resolutions, l do
believe IN his principle; and | do believe in the
fidelity OF those who wish to inquire into this of
church discipline. And want 70 say one thing: II
ANYBODY suppOSe that 10y thing that has happened
or by anything that is likely TO happen can be moved
nom the confidence that have had for more than IS
wears In Richard s. Storrs, in DR.. BuddingOn, 10
certain extent IN those with whom am less acquainted,
snd whose names are on those reports. he
Is utterly mistaken. lApplause.l can say that
have been so exceedingly busy IN all
ny life among you that have not had time TO cultivate
mach society have not made many acquaintance. L
have not had very intimate associations with my breth
zen OF the ministry Br9ther Storrs mas been the only
exception. He has lived near me. We have been
terms OF intimate friendship. No man in the world
bments SO much as DO that mans unrecognzed TALENT
10 much as do feels that be has attained
half Of the credit for scholarship, FOR thought
fitness ana for mastery presentation OF bis thoughts
Richard 3 Sorrs, and have been accustomed 10
That he had only been born in Indiana instead of Bos
and II he had been by that freer way Of western
Life ped with the habit OF abandoning himself to the
enthusiasm which lies in his nature, burning like
furnace there, we would have made q man more
popular than any other IEau that has ever been in
ihe American church SO far as his character is
eerned have never seen IN all these 20 years one
Gnge thing that looked 10 me dshOnorable or 20 be
the slightest variation from the truth. lean whole
confidence upon hl ana IT is unshaken now aud IL he
should be called upon TO follow me TO the gallOws, my
he considered 10 be his duty, and not from any mean
motive, any selfish influence whatever.
WHAT say OF Dr. StCrrs largely and emphatically,
allow 10 with less Intimacy that / nevertheless
entertain the utmost affection for DR.. Buddingon. and
IN that continued and growing ascendancy which he has
GAINED, only in his own church, but among ali
others and am that those men love and do
not mean 90 hurt me, am that love them and do
TO reve them or hear them reviled or to lit
thst is concerned
How comes it, then. that they should have drawn
into position IN which think they utterly mis-
taken hold u to he a mistake, nothing more gentle
men, nothing and cannot altogether say that II
has been without cause in this respect / under
stand how two gentlemen who have imbibed in New
England and from New-England more vigorous con-
fharI ha1fa
Icanuuderstand how they, situated in different church
churches smaller sfar united by elective affinity
upon the more open and democratic policy of such a
church this, not approaching our difficulties not OF
pecessy knowing waat are our tasks and our laborS
with those tasks; and am disposed TO put upon this
mistake OF theirs the most construction and
while hold the amended resolution to be just and proper
these circumstances, want IL TO be distinctly under
stood thai do not in the slightest degree sympathize
any imputation made upon their motives; and that
tssArye well Of the American Church and who mean
vel of me and OF you. have mado a mistake which
eanDot in aud consent 70 by any action OF our
own. lApplause.l --.--
AsPECrs or coSGREGATIoNAMsM.
Now let me say farther than that regard to what
nav be the issue Of this matter. don't look forward
70 the result ask myself Isit duty TO concede the
fundamental principles Of Congregationalism as we
have employed them and as this church represents
,hemi There are several views Of Congregational pol
!ty higher OF lower Plymouth church represents one
view and that view ts ipugned, directly or indirectly
Now hold that must stand true 10 principles, not
for our own sakes but for the SAKE OF all the ehurc1es
around ma which we wish 10 see built up on the orOaQ
est democratic construction OF Congregations chuen
Wnai H. Congregationsllsm 1t answers more nearly
Than ANYTHING else to our ideas OF deh0crac to"nsnp
sonsi or ike famihes 1t is simply the association OF
uen BY Of some sort OF other Ia worship anu Ia
give to the churches gathered together any ownershp
e and OYER Y @sR9 a5g yG Ss g9 or or ' anything
allied IN ir between one church and another
Congregational churches stand then exactly fS or
md m
ismes living in the same neighborhOod stand who
respectable who interchange visits with each other VINO
sdyce and never feel themselves at liberty by the
Of friendship to ntrude upon one another or TO
fs% osaS5 pOt rHsi frssTyteTian notions pre-
said revelation eyuslOn, which resulted In the Tor
nation OF uish-toned ConsTegationasm IN Sonneeu,
Doctrine that there Is an authority gwen 70 tno IhuIc
ey the Lord Jesus Christ oyer its member ara OF
eral name OF fellowship. Is ecelesiastical now os
it, and stand the Manual OF Plymouth Church
m ndsPen4ea, ecclesiastical body end In matter. Of
S5 Sss order and discipline 'n'H'0' to no other organization
Now that IS so broad and absolute that you cannot
eonstrue any subsequent rule differently except you
make 1t stufy itself, nuiify itself Look at the second
one: This Church will extend to other Eysngeh l
ana assistance which tue laws or Christ require "hat
does The law Of Chris&eq Show me anything IN
mnlon over another, or the right 10 inquire
INTO or NEEDLE with the affairs OF hnotner. Out
mark while declare ourselves 10 be independent, we
dd not wish TO ce interpreted as being solitary or I'M
sympathetic, but want TO say that We stand III good
negbOOrhOOd with all Evangelical Churches, not with
CongegatOnalistS alone but with Baptsts Methodss,
With EpisCOpaans terans, with all Churches;
i0r, note don't Will take advice from churches
done taIta and order, for the seconn rule is:
h church will eIten1 other Evangelical churebes and receive
ron them hs fellowship advice and assistance which tbs word Of
Ctrst requires.
AN INDEPENDENT CHURCH
This church stands upon OF the broadest and,
think nobest platforms OF any church that lives. First
absolutely independent but using that