The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
BEECHER's EsOrERIC DOCTRINES.
An Old Member of Plymouth Church I'm.
terviewed In CalisOrnia-Mr. Beechel
Should Have Made u Full Confession.

An Old Member of Plymouth Church In
terviewed I'm CalisOrnia-Mr. Beecher
Should Have Made u Full Confession.
The San Francisco Chronicle gives what pro-
fesses to be an interview with a member OF Ply
mouth church, recently arrived in that city. 1t Is
as fOllows:-
REPoRrER-You have known Mr.. Beecher for a
Nj. Ayes; ever since he accepted the call of
was over thirty years ago-some there about 1912
or 1s43 think; but my memory Is not very good
Tor dates.
you believe hun guilty as charged by Tilton?
Mr. A.-Beore answering that question: must
ask whether our conversation Is private. have
no objection TO expressing my OPINION; but
would not ike to nave it published in connection
with my name, Tor reasons which you VIII easily
understand.
REroRrEE-I give you my promise not to make
use OF your name.
Mr. A.-Wen, then, / am free to say that have
not doubt OF the substantial truth OF Tilton's
charges.
Beecher has tor the last twenty-five years held
certain views both in regard religion and the
relations Of the sexes, which he considered "too
that the public teacher has right to
the truth he thought hat
men who were oar advanced" and come into
greater Liberty OF aith might Still While teachers
to rigid dOgmas continue to preach in conformity
to the accepted beliefs and to refrain from preach
ing truths that would shock his hearers and de-
stroy his own influence. | have often heard MIN
quote the saying of Christ 4 have many things to
connection with the apoIhegm, mix for babes
and meat Tor strong men," have heard him
justify the course OF teachers who speak in one
OF terms to the multitude and in another to the
teltgent and thoughtful when they meet III secret
and confidential communion. lie had given up
the Bible, even before Bishop Colenso's
book on the Pentateuch appeared; but for many
freely communicated 1t to confidential friends, he
continued IN the pulpit to tax about the scrip,
lures in the old way. Well ne had advanced
doctrlnes'' on social as well as theological ques-
tons. In regard to marriage, poygamy and the
relations of the sexes he has Tor many years en-
tertained views hostile to the congregational ones.
! have believed for more than five years that Mr..
Beecher's real belief in regard 10 the relation of
the sexes did not differ materially rom the free
love doctrine as eXpOunded by It's most Intelligent
KEPoRTER-I begin to see the drift of what you
say. The idea is that Mr. Beecner has only been
practising what he has long secretly believed.
Mr.. A.-When Tllton's statement appeared saw
abect apology, lull of remorse and lear and SELL
humiliation, TO account Tor which his explanation is
together perfectly. Then 1t had been long known
that Triton had some secret Affecting Beecher,
which the friends OF the latter feared he would
now. But am utterly disappointed and iuexpres-
sbly grieved at the course Beecher has taken.
HIS TERRIBLE MISTAKE,
REPORTER-TO what do you alude?
Mr.. A.-To his denial. l expected and conf
IDENTITY predicted that now, since the blow had
fallen, be would have come out with an honest,
maniul confession. expected that he would say
to the world, In substance :-"Ths story is true.
am ashamed of the cOncealment ana deceit in
voived In the business, OF all that seems sneakng
and undetermined and treacherous But, so far as
the most intimate association between any man
and any woman who really and truly love each
other, l have long believed that there Is
nothing wrong in that. l thought the time
for declaring that pellet had not
yet come, and kept silent. But
now this exposure compels me to declare my
vews.n expected something like this from him.
Had he taken this course he would have ceased to
be pastor of plymouth church, but he would have
become the head of quite large society OF ''ad-
vanced reformers." AS IL Is he VIII be crushed.
Triton Will prove mis- case II 1t ever gets III shape
to be legally investigated, and then Beecher 8
will be ended forever, at least on this earth.
There are multitudes OF his friends aud admirers
who would have forgiven the offence charged by
TiltOn had he made q frank confession, but who
will not be able to forgive him now that he has
undertaken to talsiy the truth. This course OF
his has changed the entire situation. II after this
solemn denial he is proved guilty. his sin is greater