National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-03-26
PLYK0UEH 0HUR0H TROUBLE.
COMMUNICATION OF THE CONGREGA.
TIONAL COUNCIL.

OOhAAONkCATlON Of THE CONGRE3A-
TIONAL COUNCIL.
NEW YoRK, March 8.-Ths lecture-room Of
Plymouth church, Brooklyn, was aIlsd to-day by
members Of the congregation, who assembled pur-
suant TO adjournment Friday night last, to be
ready to take any action that may have been
mede necessary By the proceedings Of the Con-
gregatiooal osuAeil, now In session. A committee
from the council was announced In waiting, and
the gsntlsusn were invited to seats on the plat
form, after which resolutions were adopted to 70
osivs any eommunloation thsy might make. Prof
E. D. Smith, ofthe committee, said they brought
message from the council, which they hoped
would b rseslvsd with tender and bfotheriy
affection. The council was animated with feel
ing Of respect and love for the pastor and men,
bers Of his church. 1t was desired that all trans
actions ut the council might Be in the day and
light, and with such light - could come from
pastor and members Of Plymouth church, and
which would place Plymouth church in the same
poaition - other churches for free discussion in
the council. The resolution Of the council In.
wiling Plymouth church to attend tho council and
present It's views was road, and on motion Of
Henry Ward Bssehsr the thanks Of his church
we're voted the bearers Of the message, and .
committee appointed 10 make fitting response,
Of which Mr.. Bssehsf was one.
=. FALMOUTH PRorEsrs.
While the COMMITTEES were celebrating on the
reply, the clerk Of (iynouth church read 10 the
eonsrsssaon the ehArges Of arraignment. In .
short time the committee returned and stated
that an address had been agreed on, which was
read. It was protest against any action what.
ever BY the present council upon any issue relat-
ing to Plymouth; that the council is es parfe;
that the charges are based upon reported speeches
Of the pastor, and that the church will be Judged
only BY it, own acts and declarations. The ad-
dress was also protest against any attempts to
formulate usages Of the church into code Of
soclssiastical law, and declare Its building upon
eonsciences Of churches.
A DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
WAS also read. The following resolution was
adopted: I'VE are ooustrainsd to decline It, lest
by our acceptance veshould seem 10 renouncc our
conscientious convictions and to withdraw our
solemn testimony sgainst the violations Of Chris
tian liberty courtesy and equity which have char
actefised the calling this council the steps which
fall Of danger to smaller churches, ~ encour.
aging Irregular and unwsrrantabls proceedings
on the part Of strong churches, which the weaker
part might Afterwards, By force OF our examples,
b compelled to condemn. We are not responsi-
BILE for the errors which have been committed in
the treatment Of this church and In the calling Of
this council and " are not willing to cover them
with our consent"
This address and resolution were adopted, and
committee was appointed to convoy their an.
svsr to the Congrsgstional council. The meeting
then adjourned 70 the Friday preceding the ar 1t
Sunday IN next month.
PRoclxDrxos OF THE COUNCIL.
NEW YoRx, March N.-Ths Congrsg ationai
council opened this morning with only . few dele
gates present. Many ladies were among the au-
ditors. Aftsr singing and prayer py Rev. Or.
Buddlngteu, in which he asked that the Lord
would guide Plymouth to answer the invitation
extended to its pastor in truly Christian spirit
The time for holding the sessions Of the council
was agreed upon.
Dr.. Dsxtsr's resolution, offered last evening. in
regard 70 the name Of the council, was then taken
mp. end wss the subject Of . long discussien, the
Doctor holding that this ~ an advislng and not
- psrts council.
The committee which had bssn appointed 70
visit Beeehsr's church returned and reported that
they had submitted the invitation.
Shortly Afterwards the eoanittss appointed q
Bssehsrs church 70 visit the eoaneil cane In, and
IL reply was read By d. A. Raymond, amid
brssthlsss silsnes. Mr.. EdEasd Bsschsr briefly
thanked the nsmbsFs Of tn council for the eouI.
tssy sxtsndsd 70 than, and the committee than
withdrew.
On motion the eonnunieatioa from Plymouth
eoufoA was resolved.
A recess was thsn taken until eeleek.
Ayfn R1cIss.
The committee % crsdsntials presented thsir
report, which was received and entered on the
minutes.
Rev. Dr.. stos.s, Of the Pilgrim church, pre-
ssatsd his statement. He began BY stating that
Beeeher when the latter cane to the city, and n
vss with profound regret that they observed they
soald ~ staad upsa the sane platform with him
BOW. CoogsgationAlisn, he said, was founded
O the word Of God. This council was to deter.
nine u member Of the Church can esass to b 0
member the moment he places his foot outside the
door.
TAspsatsersadaztssst Plymeuth- church
Manual regarding the members eonnsetton with
The church. No such esss had ever occurred In
his church, ard under The rulss % sush eass
eouA eesur.
Il vss tie duty Il church members 70 i.v,s,,-
gate charges agaiAat thslS pastors, Il Tie lsffsr
1Ailsd = Dc %. Hs BLAMED flyneatA church ~
dropping member ffs9 ~ rolls without Aryt
having - inysstigntiea rue charges By . san-
nittss I'd he pastor sr ~ asnyiag the articles
~ ls1snstesy shaeaetsf With wsss publisAsd
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