The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1873-12-11
The CONGREGATIONAL Controversy in

held in the lecture room of Ply
mouth Church on the evening of
ejnesday, Nov. 26th, to discuss
the question OF calling for u con
ference To ascertain whether
Plymouth Church had done any,
thing worthy of ceuaure.
The whole affair seems TO have
been strangely mixed, according
to the report in the New York
Sun. After appointing r. Il.
Raymond as Moderator, prayer
was offered by Rev. Henry Ward
Beechcr. when Mr.. Halliday, as
clerk Of the church, arose and read
letter signed by Richard Storrs,
pastor If the Church of the Pill
grilns, VIM. Ives Burlington, PAS
tor of Clinton Avenue Church,
with members of committees from
both Socletios. The main point in
The letter Was Il direct charge
against II nonth Church in Ell
feet that at meeting held Oct.
3lsi,i was voted by large maj n.
ty, to drop from the roll Of its
membership, without examination
or censure, member of the
church present at said meeting,
against whom specific and serious
charges were known tobe pend
ing, etc. The letter then pro-
ceedcd to make remarks inpuring
to ri ynouth Church erroneous
principles and usages, with re-
marks derogatory to it's whole
membership, with threats Of dis
fellowship.
Following the reading of the
letter MIR. Mckay offered IA resp
luton acceding to the request Of
the churches sending the letter,
asking for Il Committee of Confer
ence. Mr. GilLert arose and of
fered as an amendment TO Mr..
McKay's resolution, a preamble
and resolution adverse to the pro
posed conference. The whole pro.
ceedings Of the other churches
looked too much like reversing
the order of things by fist censur-
ing Plymouth Church, then argu
ing, aud finally making a request
FIR facts.
Several speeches were made,
both in support Of and against the
call for a conference. In this DIS
cussion it appeared that the letter
was drawn up aud served upon the
Pastor OF Plymouth Church Nov.
9Th, and that it was not read be-
fore, and approved of by the
other two churches above named,
untiI Nov. Sl.'. 1t was therefore
styled as simply the letter of the
Committees. II was held that
Plymouth Church is IAN indie
pendent ecclesiastical body, and in
matters of doctrine, order and dis.
cipline, amenable to no other or
ganizaiion." The proceedings OF
the two churches presenting char.
ges were styled AS irregular. The
main point in the argument favor.
ing McKay's resolution was that
il Plymouth CHURCH was assured
she had acted correctly, she would
not ol, irct to conference, even il
proceedings had been conducted
a little ont OF the ordinary chan
mel.
The c' oshig remarks were made
by R.v. henry Ward Beecher.
The power of his oraf ory over lis
congregation was marke d. aud
wonderful. lie was frequently
interrupted by bursts Of appausc,
and again-sobs were hcaro from
all parts Of the house. At the
close he left the room. A rising
vote was then taken upon the pre-
amble aud resolution Of Mr.. Gil
bert. Only thirteen ont OF als,nt
fifteen puhlre1 members Of the
congregation present v0'ed in the
thus showing that the
Faster had the almost unanimous
support of his congregation.
A New York dispatch under
date IL Nov. Goth, SAYS the mem
beers of Rev. DR.. St"rrs. and Bud.
Congregational Church.
es have adopted resolutions provi-
ding for calling a National Coun-
Gil, 20 take actinn on the recent
declaration Of Plymouth Church,
the Rev. Mr.. Bcccher's DENYING
The right OF one Congregational
church to make inquiry into the
government, polity, belief or de-
pertinent of another.
-----s. 90 -
tt..