New-York tribune., 1873-05-21
A RELIGIOUS REVOLUTTON.

THE GRANDSON OF DIR. LYMAN DEECHER INSTALLED
PASTOR IN A CHURCH. THE FIFTH IN SUCCESSION
AFTER THE PROSECUTION OF THE GRANDFATHER
FOR HETERoD0XY.
(FRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBuNEl
CINCINNATI, May 15.-The Rev. Henry Ward
Beechcr delivered here tonight, ct the First
Presbyterian Church, the occasion Of the installation
its pastor OF the Rev. George b. Beeeher son OF the
Rev. George Beecher, deceased, and nephew TO
the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. This was the pioneer
church OF Cincinnati October le $780, two years after the
settlement Of the city, 1t organized and log church
was built on the ground partly occupied by the
present edifce whose predecessor was the old two
horned church." which Immediately succeeded the log
building OF the first congregation This church mas hau
ten pastors Including the young man Installed tohgh
It's fifth pastor the Rev. Joshua L. Wilson, from lSoS
untn his death 1876 From its organization 10 the
present 1t has been regarded the most strictly ortho
dox as IL was for many years tho leading Presbyterian
church in the West.
In 1888 after Dr. Lyman Beecher came to take charge
OF Lane Theological Seminary on Walnut HIS he APP
piled for admission to the Cincinnati Presbytery Dr
L. WILSON, a releDtless heretichunter opposed MS ad
mission He had discovered false doctrines In sermon
delivered in the East by Dr. Beecher, and printed IN
pampllet form. DIR. Beecher at once admitted TO
the Presbyery however There his censor at the same
session. tried to have a committee appointed to sit In
council upon Dr. Beechers pamphlet, but the PresDy
terry did not sustain Inn. Determined not TO be afhed
Dr. wilson, at meeting Of the Presbytery in 1884, arose.
toward its close and preferred charges OF heterodo1y
against Dr. Beecher In June 1885, the trial came on ana
the charges not sustained IAN appeal to the SYNOD
and trial In the following october terminated with
like result The determined Seotchman appealed to the
last court the General Assembly This body met at
Pittsburgh in May 1896 DR.. Wilson found his case was
not likely to succeed, and expressed wish to drop H.
By rule OF tho Church discipline, an aceuser under
these circumstances was in case he failed TO prove MS
charges against fellow minister, liable to be himself
treated the manner as the accused would have
been If found guilty. DR.. Beecher consented 10 nave
the case dropped. and here it terminated.
A wear or two later George Beecher father OF the
pastor installed tonight, and of Dr. Beecher, was
examined the PresDyery in Cincinnati for ord
nation Dr. Wilson here found occasion to renew MS
battle against heresy He dspleased with the young
mans theology. Mr. Beecher had said that he did not be-
leve God had right to require OF men what they had
no ability whatever to do This raised discussion In
the Presbytery. DR.. Wilson said publicly that he ala
not believe the candidate Christian He was
ordained however.
Dr. Lyman Beecher made pastor Of the Second
Presbyterian Church. which, fighting its way every
step Dr. Wilson, had branched off from his, tho
First Church In 1888 the schism at Philadelphia,
and the Second Church. with Dr. Beecher. its pastor,
went with the New School branch. few months ago
the Rev. George b. Beecher received call to the pas
orate the pioneer First Presbyterian Church of this
city, as the fifth pastor after Dr. Joshua L. Wilson Mr.
Beecher Congregational minister Upon his stand
ing as minister in the Congregational Church, he was
received into the Cincinnati Presbytery without dis
senting voice. This is unusual proceeding, as any
one familiar with the OF the church will recognize
DR.. Beecher and Dr. Wilson, In the West represented
the theology Haven and Princeton Taylorism
and Millersm, aud among the leaders In the two
factions In the Presbyterian Church who imagined their
differences Of creed sufficient TO warrant separation
These circumstances vet fresh in the memory OF
many of the living and they gave an unusual interest
to and the installation tonight The sermon
was on text al preach Christ and Him crucihed"
Not remote auson 70 the historical relations OF the
occasion made. 1t FREQ from strictly denomt-
national theology earnest, very forcioe and as iar re-
moved possible from any attempt at sensational
eject The concluding words addressed to the pastor
And now, OF brother, this s the gospel Wnlcn
you are to preach" were exceedingly impressive
A great crowd came early 10 the church, ana Mr.
Henry Ward Beecler with difficulty made his way
through It, Persons who came at O'Clock got seats.
Those coming later crowded the alsles and doorways
mass of people extending into the street, densey
packed cOuld get in out. The noise and
confusion among those just outside the door were so
great that the preacher. alter commencing was ODnged
stop and wait 10 minutes until quite was obtained
During 30 minutes of his sermon the attention OF
the audience perfect