Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-28
The sfissisSippi's Mouth.
CONGREGATIONAL.
Increasing Interest i'm the Council.
TheO. Triton Explains His Posi-
ton.
The Council stin secret.

NEW ORR, March ZI.@Ireater Interest
seems to be centering in the Congregation
al Council, now that the secret session
promises speedy result. 1t is believed by
noon decisive vote will be had, which
will indicate the decision of the Council on
the man question. 1t is believed by many
that while the action of the churches of
DIS. StorTS and BuddingtOn will be sustain
ed in the main, the decision will be such
as not to seriously reflect on the Plymouth
Church. There has been very little Oppor-
tunity for display of the oratorical abili-
ty of the eminent members of the Council.
Only technical points have arisen which
demanded the most direct and matter of
fact treatment. Rev. WV. Patton, d. D.,
of Chicago, has little part in the public dis
cuSsion, but it is surmised he will make
himself heard in the secret session.
a number of clergymen representing
other denominations or not connected with
the Council were regular attendants at the
open session. The
Expenses
of the Council which fall upon the two
churches calling it will be from three to
four thousand dollars. 1t has been very
| frequent in Congregational Councils for
delegates to defray their own travelling ex-
penses, but the Church of the Pilgrims and
the Clinton Avenue Church, put no such
burden on thOS4 cllled TO advise them.
Ample provisions have been made for re-
| funding the money paid out by delegates.
Theodore TiIton.
LATER.-The Congregational Council
was in secret session till one O'Clock and
then took recess. a letter was received
from Theodore Tilton asking that he be
accorded the courtesy of contributing to
| the official records correct statement of
his own position, because his position has
been represented in that body to his griev-
GUS injury. He says:
| |. in 1850 L became a member of Ply
mouth Church. In 1869 l terminated my
connection with that church. In 1873 my
name which still fingered on the roll was
officially erased. Ny retirement from the
church was executed by me in strict con
formity with the rule of the church and the
validity of my act has since been signally
and repeatedly ratified by the unanimous
vote of the church, affirming the principle
on which that act was based. That prin-
ciple, as J hold it, is the free right of free
man to sever his connection with church
by his free will, and shall never become a
church man in any church in which this is
not the rule.
2. Four years after Ihad thus terminated
my connection with Plymouth church,
was charged by member of that body with
having circulated and promoted scandals
derrogatory to the Christian integrity Of
the pastor and injurious to the reputation
of the church. A wide spread impression
Overshadowed good mems minds, that
whatever other points were IN doubt, there
could be no doubt that l had slandered the
pastor Of Plymouth church. L hereby de-
clare that had not then nor have L since,
nor at any time in all my life have l ever
uttered SANDER against any human being
The Evening Session
of the Council was short. Members as
sembled in the private lecture room of the
church about 9 O'Clock, but did not retire
into secret session until about 10, owing 10
the fact that the committee appointed at
the morning session to draft resolution:
embOdying advice to both churches, was
unable to agree. This committee is com
posed of five clergy and three laymen, the
names of some of whom only could be as
certained.
Shortly before IL o'clock the committee
were sent for, and stated that they had moi
vet agreed. The Council then adjourned tC
meet at Z tomorrow morning. Immedi-
ately on adjournment of Council the conf
mittee retired again to complete the resOlu-
tons, and did not separate until a late
hour. Members of the committee wert
very reticent and would not say whether OF
not they had agreed on the matter they
had under consideration.