New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-06
PLYMOUMI OHURCH.
ITS INnrpExpEscR AFFIRMED.

| CHCRCHEs-THE CHARGES AGAA % """"''o VI
THE CHURCH.
| The adjourned meeting of Plymouth hurch las
| evening was very quiet compared with the re'iou
one. when Mr. Beecher made his remarkable =, 'eech
| which decided the course of action subsequel tD
taken by the church in reference to the oommuncA
ton received from the two other churches demand
| ing conference. The result of last nights meet
ing leaves the whole matter apparently settled, tho
members having adopted decisive resolution OK
pressing the views of the church regarding its indie
pendencc i'll all matters of discipline and govern
ment.
TIE PROCEEDINGS.
| The first business to come before the meet
| ing the reading by Mr. Halliday OF a third letter
from the Church Of the Pilgrims Jointly with that Of
the Clinton Avenue Church. The letter was as follows
BROOKLYN. Dec s. 1873.
To ne Pastor and Membersof Plymouth church. Brooklyn
DEAR BRETHREN: The resolutions adopted by YOU at
your meeting Of Nov. 90, have been communicated 10
action the part of these churches have been adopted
bythem as probably desirable. This acton. however
Outstanding OF your resolution which. it felt, may
possibly not be correct Therefore. before 1t is com
they shCuld know by an authorized note il their
understanding of yOur resolutions is concern
ing one point, the right IL is requested that
unite with Them through pastor and committee,
in private conference for fuller explanations and inter
and further, In such conference should lead to
satisfactory result TO unite with them further in calling
| a properly represented council OF Congregational
Churches. at which the whole subject involved In the
correspondence with you might be submitted. and by
which you might be ADVISED as 10 your duties concern
ing it. II is understood that You distinctly decline
conference. and in declining this you undoubtedly intend
10 decline joining any subsequent councll; Dut AS
your resolutions do not IN express terms declare
that their impression this point be incorrect
Before taking any further steps Therefore we desire to
ask on their behalf III raerna spirit and IN the earn
desire preserve good-fellowship and peace.
whether in declining their request for private confer
with them in calling council. 1t is important that
they should be correctly informed this point for the
selves growing Of isappreheusion of each others
position 1t is only the more evidently important be-
their letter addressed to seems To have been
seriously misunderstood by you and 20 have been taken
as manfcstng spirit which II such misun .ersand-
Ing had been anticipated. would have been distinctly
We are therefore SOLICITORS that more distinct I'm.
derstanding should occur, and that you should rightly
appreciate the spirit in which those churches Inquire II
you are ready TO unite with them IN calling an unbiased
council. Hoping we may receive an answer TO tins
raternal inquiry soon as practicable and convenient
G you to Es1n nS ana wishing h Gq ne Se g %
yours in the service and Kingdom Of God,
lSIgned by the same pastors and committee as at
t3ched 10 the other communication.
Mr.. Beecher soon as the communication had been
accepted stated that hehad taken the liberty TO draw
up the following reply, which he thought would unite
the brethren without discussion He then read 1t.
follows:
Resolved, That the following be respectfully
DEAR BRETHREN: We have received your letter OF
Dec. 5. l6I3 and II has been read 10 the Church. IL
gives great pleasure TO accept your statements IN
gard the spirit and intent OF your letter OF Nov g. As
do not admit the statements of facts the aega-
tons Of principles held by contained I'm your letter OF
Nov. s, are not aware our part Of any dues
ton requiring the advice OF council H. however, you
desire further hight and VIII state TO the points 10 be
submitted to council we VIII promptly inform you of
thu position OF this Church We cannot consent To bO
parties TO the calling OF council without being def
ney informed Of the precise matter which is to be re-
ferred to committee.
Wishing you grace and mercy and peace we are
YOUR BRETHREN IN THE LORI.
The moment Mr. Beecher concluded the of che
meeting was expressed in loud burst OF applause and
in half a minute 1t accepted unanimously the
signatures to of the pastor the moderator
aud the clerk OF the church. Mr. Halliday Mr.. Halliday
then read the following report of the Examining Com
mittee: - ~, 400
The Rer. g b. H4LIrn.r. 0ierh or P,y.onM GhI,eA
ing Committee, held Monday evening last the fol-
lowing preamble and resolutions were adopted and
instructed to send the same 10 you TO % presented
the church as their report IN the case OF brother
whereas complaint has been made to the Examining
Committee against Henry e. Bowen, member OF
Plymouth Church. OF uttering ISLANDERS affecting the
Whereas A subcommittee appointed to confer |
Whereas Mr.. Bowen assured the subcommittee that |
has and his purpose to abide In good sith by
agreement signed by the pastor ana himself when
Henry Bowen having given credit psrh.p, without due con
being influenced natural who jim
within limitations and not for the purpose Of puIs him. but
h hm wrong nc fSeer dsScv " charges %pu,
0n, @ sAvs Se'n ISass to B %s and 'ns Ssn
fully and without reserve that Know nothing neh sloon
ship coud,nce CHRISTIAN Owshp aud expressly witbdIaw Al
iGe h @ US ..s forth in letter wnten to me ~ Theodore
LOT Of January 1871 copy Of which he,eaoo an
and ,,ons hat for q. future time BY
repeal, slao either Of said charges mPs'a
md rhcreas MT Bowen has also authorized Brother g.
b Halliday state to the EIaminingCommttee or to the
been any departure from the letter spirit Of that
agreement he regrest exceedingly, ana trusts that
nothing shall in the future IN TINS direction 70 mar
the peace of the church" therefore,
Resolped That this Committee, in view OF the facts
and above set forth, accept these assurances
ferred against him. and that the complaint against him
be dismissed. ID. W. TALMADGE. Cerk Exam. Conn.,
motion was made to adopt the report by Mr.. Gil
bert MI Halliday read address in explanation Of
this report. He said he sought interview with Mr..
Bowen and told him that he aware that tho pre-
yious causes of difference between him and the pastor
had resulted in agreement, which he had violated
Mr. Bowen had listened respectfully and then denied
that he had SO broken the agreement but had kept
In good faith He had nothing against Mr. Beecher he
said and wond do anything for him. Mr.. Halliday
said that the belief that Mr.. Bowen had violated tho
agreement was so strong in his own mind
that he told him that it was best that
he should make such acknowledgment as was
good for the church, which he declined TO do
Mr. Halliday then attempted to collect the evidence on
this score but found mono willing to appear. or that
their evidence was OF no value. Finding himself ut
tery unable prove these charges he went again TO
Mr. Bowen to induce him to sign explanation, which
he declined again DO. He spoke of his confidence in
Mr. Beecher asserted his friendship for him and his do
sire to give him the right hand Of fellowship Mr. Hal
nday concluded by stating that during the whole of the
/ NJ nxxu had Y aapd "
to appear at any time before the church. and that he
never had received copy of the charges.