New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-27
Committee OF the
Church OF the Pilgrims.

WIN. IVES BUDTEGToS, Pastor.
ALFRED 8. BARNES,
JAHEs NJ, ELwELL,
HARVEY Ii. SPELMAN, coum,ttoe NJ tho
THOMAS 5. THoRP, fCl,nton avenue Church.
AUGUSTUS II. LIBBY, 04AN" ~' $1,000
FLAMEN h. GAMBLER,
CALVIN &. WooLwoRrH,J
Upon the conclusion Of the reading Of the letter. and
the resolutions Of the churches in accordance with
which the letter was prepared, the Rev. Richard Mckay
offered the following:
Resolved That Plymouth Church accede TO the request
of the churches named for Committee OF Conference
This resolution was seconded, and then Mr. Gilbert
offered the following amendment:
THE RESOLUTIONS
Vhereds This church has received letter from the
Church OF the Pilgrims and the CntOn-ave. Congrega
tOna Church asking for conference concerning the
WAereaS, Ths letter. confessedy based public re-
port merely expresses settled CONVECTION thas TINS
Essential disnOnor TO the Lord hmself;n that our
policy is "unscrpural and deinoralzng;' that sue q
action as the letter VI OF taking must be al
ways untimcly, always dangerous without warrant in
fine Word without support OF Christian wisdom and in
yOyng tendencies that be only prolific OF evil - and
Whereas. Beside this prejudgnent OF the case this lot
ter distinctly threatens us Win withdrawal OF feloW
Rcsolred That, while we cherish as sacred tho
Christian and worship with the Church OF the Pill
grims and the Clinton Avenue Congregational Church
and should look with great pain upon anything which
hitherto existed between U.s. the circumstances reeled
alternative but to decline the proposed con-
ference. While this church is in the words Of her Man
ua Qule u, an independent ecclesiastical body, ana I'D
matters of doctrine order and discipline ameuabe 10
no other organization" she will nevertheless, In the
words or the same Manual (Rue y, extend TO otuer
evangelical churches and receive from them that fe
owship, advice and assistance which the laws Of
mortal declarations Plymouth Church IL at all times
ready to be advised and a1monshed by sister churches
according to the ancient, approved, congregational
method or by Evangelical churches OF any denOmina
ton beginning with proper inquiry into facts and pro.
cecding through successive steps Of mutual eXplaua-
ton and Discussion to the nal expression OF opinion
IA
Church is not ready TO reverse tls order and
submit first TO censre, secondly 10 argument, and after
ward request for the facts.
Sored h9 the er5 OF Ihs church be mn
Congregational Church copies or this preamble and
resolutions.
In support of his amendment Mr.. Gilbert made the
following remarks Now don't propose to take up your
time OF the Of this assembly ia advocating either
this preamble these resolutions which u to
be 80 IN accord with what Is proper aud right under
these circumstances, that they need advocacy ex-
cept what they may bear with Themselves and If we're
disposed advocate these resolutions would not now
think necessary when listen to this universal
response to them. | submit them now to this body
[Appause.l
Mr. Barker-It is well known that have been opposed
to answering this document from the first reading had
oft Ny conviction its appropriateness does not
decrease when hear il again. 1t sounds worse tonight
than ever 1t did before tAppause As far as the IL
regularitles are coneerTe think the brothers and
sisters Of this church fair opponents OF that
Christian courtesy and conduct required any other
church IN Chrlstendom. lApplause.l Tue quotations
from tho manual are from old one, not from the
manual of this church. may say, without any desire
to be got stca, simple matter OF experience, that
have been member OF this church for over
20 years, aud have been u member Ok the Examining
Committee for eight or nine years, and have never
known OK seen any the Irregularities there stated TO
exist Their statements facts. The fact is that
tAs Plymouth Church Is large family, aud large
family cannot be governed easily which
tains only a few members; and we have an inalienabe
right TO govern it as seems best TO cannot the
propriety OF any church, either Congregational, or
Protestant Episcopal Baptist Methodist. or any
other 10 step IN here and endeayor TO regulate our
affairs for U.s. (Applause.l
A PLEA FOR PEACE.
T. G. shearman then spoke, In the main as follows
The few brethren to whom have spoken on this sub
ject know very we'll that views have been for peace
and that was anxious. after heard that the letter
was in existence aud that its terms were offensive. 20
take a course as suggested by Brother Nc Kay, After
reading the letter. when it had been moro than week
in the hands Church. IL struck me as extremely
orensIv6 ind seemed Is MA like saying to some person
SIy Christian brother entirely satisfied that you
are a villain and scoundrei Iwant you TO come 70 lny
house aud unless you prove that You are not villain
and 'cSq aa Of T the k Od y 2a in me,
that feeling, and | read it again. looked at u
III.
Thought IL was my duty 70 80 70 these brethren, and
did 40 spoke 10 OF the members OF the committee
when | stated to that member the precise words mat
we're contained In this letter he assured mo that he
could conceive 1t possible that II was So when
had been read over him, he had called the attention
of the Committee certain and had received
distinct that none OF these terms should ne
allowed to remain. Under these circumstances, the
more looked the thing the less felt that there
could possibly be any good result from the conference
The whole st letter aimed at the speech OF the
pastor, douC know but other churches may have
Pope for pastor Our pastor Is simply the Dest beoyed
and most influential member. Applause II God ever
did make q good man earth. 10 IL Henry ward
Beeeher. loud and continued applause.l
Prof. s. c. Raymond made an able argument IN favor
of the amendment Mr. Mckay then pressed bis resolu-
ton In favor OF conference, closing as follows:
am little astonished that Brother ehearInan, being
describe 1t. II is an order to show cause lGreat
applauseJ 10 is an pdrk statement and nobody in
this free country but Judge can issue an order
nunshed for some onense which has been
charged against him and uncontradcted, as yet;
aud don't know that these gentlemen who have signed
these documents judges yet lAppause 1t is hard
describe this action by any Christian WORDS ana am
almost tempted TO call 1t infamous. tAppausel this
Committee should call conference they Would have
right demand an Investigation INTO every subject
which has come up IN connection with us, and claim
that after this church has Ia righteous wrath refused 70
listen 10 these rumors, she kna not Dc uraSOoned INTO
such investigation against her WILL
Mr. Benedict also spoke la favor OF the original resou
ton believing as do, said he. that can fully Jus
go them and, telling them think their inferenoes
are unjust, grant them conference. II act the
something that to keep shut from the public
view lApplausel On the question whether our course
was justified 1t Wall depend on our rules aud customs,
and the usage OF other Con gatOna churches
under rules Of other churches. Now don't desire
To argue the matter IL Is easy 10 you're another
used hut think idiIy our proper oourss ia 10 adopt
this resolution VI Dr. Mckay's. Otherwise fear We