Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-09-04

ally in December, 1870, Mr.. Beecher re-
ceived the impression from rilton and
Moulton that he had estranged Mrs .Tilton's
affections from her husband. The possibility
that such fact as this might be added to
the responsibilities then resting upon Mr.
Beecher. sustained, as he expressed in his
letter OF February fifth. in part one.
THE ENVIRONMENT THAT SURROUNDED HIN.
This was to him the occasion of deep grief
and anguish. Mr. Beecher conceived that
possibly he had been direlict in duty. he
the strong man ami pastor, IN not repress
ing at once any undue affection for him on
the part Of this distressed Christian woman
who was yearning for sympathy, that she
could not get at her home ; and we cannot
but express our regret at two errors into
which 1t is apparently Mr.. Beecher fell
While We recognize the appalling disaster
which seemed imminent when he was con
irOnted by a professedly injured husband
with charge on the part of his wife. of an
impure proposal from him to her, disaster
which
THREATENED To BRAND HIN WITH \ NAME.
which. through years of public service a,
philanthrOpist and minister of God had
maintained the most hOnOred place iu the
worlds esteem; yet We feel that IN a n hol-
OF such Generalization as this CALAMITY
might justly warrant, this pastor Sh0u
| have sought counsel from Christian men Of
his own brotherhood, rather than -)lely
upon the counsel of 4 man of whom he Knew
- little and whose character. as the Setee.
proved, he 80 sadly mi>judged; and it Is as
apparent from Mr.. Beecher's own state
inert, IN view OF the profound sorrow into
which he was plunged, and the expression
which he gave to his feelings, that he had
erred in not guarding more closely his rela
tons with the family Of Mr. Tllton. that
there could be no possibility fo- fear in his
own mind even of an
UNDUE AFFECTION BY MRS. TILToS
for him through any needless friendship or
agencies of his The reports he refers to, OF
the domestic misery Of Tilton, which. it
saws. i cOrrObOrated by testimony OF seyerl.
witnesses, among others that of Bessie
Turner. The committee say the condition
of this family in connection with the dis
tressIng circumstances referred to, and THAI
appear in the history of this difficulty, COR
spired 10 make the occasion one full OF peril.
not only 70 Mr.. Beecher. but to Others
whom he felt bound to protect to the last
moment. to say nothing Of the peril Of the
interest OF HIS BELOVED PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
and other interests Of high concern, all Of
which must be involved IT publicity should
be given to the false and scandal0us matter
that was seeking expression from the heated
and malicious mind of theodore TIt0n
VIII innocent men pay black mai
Will innocent men and elergymen fight as
for their lives to suppress an injurious scan
dal event. though II be born OF extensive
faiseho1d and revenge These are 4Ie--
tons that unhappily history has too often
answered in the affirmative. 1t is easy nlw.
that We see.
WHAT MANNER OF HEN TILTOS AND xOJL-y
ARE,
to wonder tia. Mr. Beecher should intr-,.
any interest of his u their keeping. Who
We look back upon the record made by tn
sad story, We feel ike visiting even upon
the suE-rias head and heart of our pastor
the >eyere-t censure and this not the les
because We revere and love him, and know
that no man in all our land J. more beloved.
1t l.. We nj Shr say. because he l. ~ beloy-
ed ; because that IN him centres 20 many
great interests Of church and humanity
because he stands to-day foremost among
men of master minds OF el0Quence and
power. that We would chide him in no
wantoE words for imperiling mucl and
- often that which was cOntded to him by
the God Who made him, and who We have
unshskcn faith to believe viii deliver him
from all dangers.
TIE CHARGE or ADULTERY.
The committee next take up the charge
Of adultery. and say that there l. nothing
whatever DISCLOSED by the evidence that
proves that the accused parties have ever
been found together under any suspicion,
circumstances, such as in some unusual
house or place, Or consulting together ~
some sec:e; way to u sad observer and ez-
po~ure. There = no proof Of cantes,Ine
correspondence nor attempts in that dlrec-
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