New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-01
PLYMOUTH CHURCH TRIALS.
THEODORE TILTONs NAME STRICKEN FROM
THE ROLL OF MEMBERSHIP

TO MAKE
The stated meeting held at Plymouth Church
last evening assumed the startling and exciting aspect
which many had dreaded-the revival of scandal
which, it had been hoped, buried forever. Before
the special meeting called to order, contest
had on the question OF excluding all but members, but
the motion was lost. At this time the large hall was
completely filed with people. and in the curious gallery
balcony at the side crowd Of expectant faces ap
peared. The first thing done REORGANIZATION aud
election OF Mr.. Raymond as Moderator. He called
Of once for the report Of the Examining Committee
who have been considering Theodore Ttons relations
to the church. The report read b. Mr. Halliday,
as follows;
BROOKLYN oct. q, 1873
The Rer. 8. p HALLIDAY: At meeting Of the Examin-
ing Committee of Plymouth Church, held last evening
the following preamble and resolution adopted
by William r. West against Theodore TiltOn and
Whereas, SPECIAL Committee having been appointed
BY the Committee TO wait upon Mr. Tton with reference
10 said charges, said Tlton the evening OF Oct g.
made answer to that Special Committee IN these words
have not for nearly four past been an attend
ant Of Plymouth Church. nor have considered myself
member of 1t, aud do not now, does the pastor
consider me member; and do not hold myself amen
able to its jurisdiction 10 any manner whatever; and
munication,addressed TO him by the clerk OF TINS Com
mittee which communication with q copy OF tho
put INTO The hands Of said Tton on OCT II inst and
request made HIM that he should answer the same by
this Committee under date of oct q: II is about four
since terminated all connection with the church
nent addressed to me in that capacity l cannot re-
ceiye;" and
Der OF this church. has abandoned his connection WIN
the church by prolonged absence from all its services
Resolred, That this Committee recommend to the
church that the name of Theodore Ton be struck r9
the roll of membership OF the church. provided for by
Rule No. OF the Manual 49,
Mr. White promptly moved the acceptance OF the re-
port by adopting the Recommendation.
W. f. Wcst-BY Rule No. Z the accused cannot be re-
moved in that way but must DC duly served with notice
OF time aud place OF hearing and be allowed an 9ppor
charges against Mr.. Tton-
TAe Moderator Interrupted to inquire If it point
Of order against the reception.
Mr. West-NO, Sir / wish TO Offer substitute for that
resolution. and 20 make a few remarks. made these
charges only four months against MI Tilton Tor
Circulating
Mr. shearman and others-T rise to point Of order
The point Of order stated was that the charges
were the property of tho Examining Committee aud
could not be made in a business meeting The Chair
ruled the point OF order well taken and MI West simply
read his substitute:
Resopsd, That the Church instruct the Examining
Committee TO at once appoint time and place Tor me
hearing of the case against Mr. Tton. and TO report To
the Church on the evening OF Nov. next Friday.
ReSoued, That when tins meeting adjourn 1t meet on
Friday evening next, Immediately after the prayer
meeting.
The Moderator declared this resolution Objectionable
according to parliamentary rules aud suggested better
way to cothe its meaning. The previous question was
suddenly moved, and after some complication had re-
suited the substitute lost At this moment NJ. Til
ton who had been sitting IN the eft-hand corner near
the door, while bis accuser Mr. West sat in the body Of
the hall, forward with these words: Mr. Chair
man. beg the courtesy OF the house while read brief
statement" 1t moved that he be heard, aud with
some opposition carried.
Mr.. Tton said
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Twenty years ago Joined
this Church and many Of the most precious memories OF
my life cluster about these walls. -Four years ago
ceased nv membership have ever been, from that
time until tonight, once under this roof Retiring from
Plymouth Church did not ask for the erasure OF my
name from the roll because the circumstances were such
that could not publicly state them without wounding
years OF my absence story has filled tho land, covering
II like mist, that have sandered the minister Of this
Church
The speaker was interrupted by cries from two
three of Orderw "orderw Mr.. shearman stated the
point OF order to be that there question OF
SANDER before them. The Moderator decided that Mr.
Tilton was in order and the latter resumed
Last Summer Mr. Beecher published explicit
charge in The Brooklyn EaGle exsmpting me from TINS
Injustice. Notwithstanding this public document In my
behalf a committee of this church by its action has
gwen rise TO injurious istatemens in the public press
That my claim of non-membership is made by
10 the church az member. therefore
come here tonight not from any obligation OF nelhper
ship, since am not member ana mol e&andneG ~
committee, for committee has examined me, nut Vi
my free will promped py my in orGer 70 say in Mr.
Becchers presence surrounded here by Ms irlehs ts
H. h nave Wbom have sandcred r. therefore, the
minister this church has anything WhereOI 10 accuse
judge.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Ton's statement profound
silence ensued which broken by the business-lke
voice of the Moderator who called the question OF an
amendment before the house. Mr. West trled TO gam
hearing and a member moved that he be heard This
was followed by short and pepexng rush of points Of
order amendments TO amendments, until the question
was finally settled fatty by laying 1t on the table,
in which there was heavy affirmative vote. MI
Haws created some amusement by his persisency in
in0urng how the members could know in such crowd
whether the voices were those of legitimate voters MI
Mckay said, cood-humoredly: 81 should like TO know
whether brother Haws thinks he has got into ballot
box stufing districtP This was followed by great
laugh at Mr. Hawss expense, and be retorted Sharply
81 don Il answer BLACKBOARD remarks for profess 10
be a gentlemanl" More discussion then ensued.
F. NJ Edgerton-As L understand the question before
us now It is the original recommendation brought In by
the Examining Committee. wish TO speak in Opposl'
ton TO that motion, and for several My fret
that I think this an opportunity 20 test the
question whether man can Walk into
church and out OF 1t of his own free will When he
comes in it requires two parties to the transaction
the man to make his application the church to receive
-and when he goes out there must also be two parties
claim that if we pass this resouton it is precedent
which ia contrary TO all the precedents OF
the past; ] claim that from the very
fact of Mr.. Tiltons absenting himself from the
church the past few years he should be disciplined In
the proper manner. object TO the amendment for ano-
Their reason although the question not before 10 s
known to every member that charges preferred iii
known that when pass this resolution we are In
spirit violating Rule Of our church. TIE accuser
has some rights in this church wei as the accused;
and does the Examining Committee come in here
and say that the face Of this Rule g. the accuser shall
have no rights4 As we have the love OF Plymouth
Church in our hearts hope for its success In the
future as In the past let be careful how We establish
precedent Of gag law for though you may stop us here
tonight there are those Of us who wish TO know the
truth and who that charges have been established