The New York herald., 1873-11-01
BEECHER AND TILTON.
The Membership Of Theodore Tilton Considered
at Plymouth Church Prayer Meeting-Ad-
dresses by Tilton and Beecher-The Exam
ming Committees Report Adopted.

After the usual Friday evening prayer meeting OF
Plymouth church was closed last evening and the
benediction pronounced by Mr. Beecher regular
meeting OF the church was held for the admission
OF members. Mr.. ii. Raymond acted as chairman
and motion was made to exclude all persons
present who were not members or the church.
The lecture room was well filed, and 1t
was noticeable that there were some present
who were not members. This was opposed by Mr..
Mckay and others, and on being put to the vote was
lost by large majority. After the names OF the
proposed members were read by Mr. Halliday they
were accepted, and stated meeting OF the church
was held to receive report from the Examining
Committee which consists OF twenty three men,
bers. Mr.. Halliday read the report, which had ref
erence to
CERTAIN CHARGES
preferred against Mr.. Theodore TiltoD by Mr.. w. f.
West The following is the report:-<
Rev. HArlnAr Clerk of cSa2sh 1ei 1873
fymouh church, heia last ss eyenns shs follow
ing preamble and resolution were passed :-"Whsreas
sna Ss Mr.
y 70 ehas tho 70
saa Tsn on the he evening Of The 9Th Of oeto5sr INST
behalf Of Plymouth ehurchi-Never considered myself
this Church consider member and S DO not hold
myef my TO the church and am not
ton member Of the church has abandoned his
That tins committee 70 the
from the noll OF membership Of the church provided
Clerk of the Examining Committee
protracted and complicated debate followed
this report upon points OF order, and mainly as to
whether Mr.. Tilton should be expelled or
dropped" by the correction Of the roll In the
midst OF this discussion Mr.. TntOn arose and was
invited to take the platform.
MIR. TILTON'S ADDRESS,
Mr.. TILToN said III have right to speak here
tonight desire to say q lew PLAIN words Twenty
years ago joined this church, ana many Of the
most precious moments Of my life centre around
these walls. Four years ago i ceased my men,
bership; nor have l been from that time till to-
night under this roof. In retiring from Plymouth
church / did not ask Tor the erasIon OF my name
from the rolls, because the circumstances were
such l could not publicly state them without
Woundng the feelings OF others besides myself.
during these years OF absence story has filed the
land, covering 1t like mist, that l have SLAM
dered the minister OF this church.
Mr.. SHERMAN here rose to a point OF order that
the question OF SANDER was not before the meet
ing. The point was overrued and Mr. Tilton pro-
cecded.
He said Last summer Mr.. Beecher published
an explicit card. in Brooklyn newspaper,
exempting me from this injustice. Notwith-
standing this public disclaimer by hlm on my be-
hail. committee OF this church by its action has
given rise to injurious statements in the public
press, that my claim OF nOn-memDership is made by
me IN order to avoid my just responsibility to the
church as member. have therefore come here to-
night not from any obligation OF membership.
d
OF its rules. and not because any committee has
summoned me, but OF my own free will, prompted
by my selfrespect and as matter vital TO my life
and honor, to say to Mr.. Beecher, in his presence,
surrounded here by his friends. that II have
slandered him, lam ready to answer Tor it to the
man whom have slandered. IT, therefore, the
minister OF this church has anything whereof to
cuse me, let him now speak, and shall answer, as
God Is my judge.
The speaker was loudly applauded at the close
OF his remarks.
The discussion of the main question OF expul-
sion, or correction Of the roll, was renewed, and
resulted In general complication OF amendments
and counter amendments. In the midst OF this
Mr.. Beecher arose and advanced TO the platform.
MIR. BEECHER EXPLAINED
at length the difference between the Presby yterian
and Congregational mode Of church government,
and also the practice that had grown up under his
direction and influence, OF the receiving and with
drawal OF members from Plymouth churcn. In refer
ence to this case MIR. Beecher said MIR. Tton had
been absent from the church four years, and that,
relations to the church had been separated by Mr..
Iflton's own act. That might not have been
regular, butit was valid. There were many things
case for four years Mr. Tlton has not been present
at any OF our meetings. We have known II, and
never protested against it, certainly not to him. We
now go back to it for the sake OF drawing into the
church troublesome case OF discipline, which is
neither wise nor according to the administration
OF the principles OF membership Of this church.
lie asks if l have any charges TO make
against him. | have none. Whatever dif-
ferences we have had have been amicably
settled, and, so far as am concerned, buried, and
so far as he Is concerned, buried This whole mat
ter has not been done with my consent and this
whole matter is against my Judgment. ! have said
only stop the proper business OF the church, would
carry them where they would end only just where
they began and was not called for certainly by the
Judgment OF the church. Ihave held this opinion
from the beginning, and still hold It,
Alter a further discussion on points OF order the
asPeG Ell to 80 g 'As committee was ADOPTED 0' vote o.
The meeting then adjourned