New-York tribune., 1874-03-31
RESULTS OF THE COUNCIL.

VlEws or DRs. sTORRs AND BURLINGTON AND MR.
BEECHER-EvERYBODY sATIsFIED--A STEP TO-
WARD GREATER FREEDOM.
The result of the Congregational Council
was vatiously commented upon IN this city and Brook
yn on Sunday and yesterday, and expression Of sat
,sfacuon seemed to prevail The friends OF Mr. Beecher
assumed 20 regard IL as vindcaon OF thei pastor
and Plymouth Church, and of good win in
the future from the large number Of churches repre-
sented. They said that It was rewdly managed by
men able 10 please those who want TO be pleased
without deng anything that can reflect very
beverley upon any one else On the other
hand the supporters Of Drs. storrs and Budington
onsdor that te honor Of church preserved that
She discipline - long regarded necessary upheld the
-xrneple of responsibility in fellowship maintained and
abe position OF the churches IN demonstrating with
Plymouth Church commended Both sides are salts
fed by calm and nearly unanimous decision division
5n the gaonal body prevented aud 1t has been
shown that good degree of charity ana beray exists
among the churches OF the denomination, while they
stnl hold their faith and polity precious.
The Rev Dr. storrs expressed in his remarks 70 his
congregation sunday his estimate OF the result IL
these words IL vindieates and reairms, positively,
powerfully and with the weight Of such Council as
as never gathered on any in this city before, the
pripcipes which have affirmed from the beginning.
The Rev. Dr. Budiugton IN response 10 inquiries OF
TRIBUNE reporer stated yesterday that the result Of the
Council was every way satisfactory 10 him. The decl-
eon was rendered he said after great deoeraton, by
al exceedingly wise body OF men, and every point for
which the summonng churches had conteDded had been
euslained and great principles which they had felt
so De endangered by the action OF Plymouth Church
had reaunouuced vital 70 COngre gationasm and
sacred the churches This was all that they wanted
none could be better pleased than they that Plymouth
Church should affirm its adherence TO those principles
its exceptional action, aud that in the
Judgment OF so able Council fellowship should be con
Inued before. The misrepresentation hch IN many
quarters had been deliberately aud matcaly made
mad done unch TO the detrment Of the two churches at
first he believed II now TO be very generally con-
seeded that their motives were not in any sense per
sonal, that the Council was impartial, and that the
<ane OF the Church and Christianity had been sub
served by its deliberations and dellverance.
Mr. Beecher, when asked his opinion yesterday re-
arding decision of the Council said In regard TO
the effect Of Congregational poty at large aud espe
ay the influence of such precedent as TINS council II
u should followed in relation 10 feeble churches,
there great deal 70 be said but waive that now In
nce To Plymouth Church, have this TO say only that
expected that 100 or 200 men, assembled from all the
Uuled States piled beforehand with imperfect docu-
1uentary evidence, aud special plea statement ac-
cOmpanyiug and without any knowledge Of the interior
nas OF Plymouth Church and the details OF its action
the reasons and considerations which moved it, would
make serious criticisms upon the processes aud
resllts OF Plymouth Church. They could not be ex-
peeted judge OF affairs except by analogy OF
TEeir But the whole case was summed up in this
uch az TO make It unworthy fellowship among Con
cregEiOnal Churches. The Council decided that
Iangegatonal Churches Of america Its adverse judg
nenfs upon Of our practices made this declaration
a council which may be called pendulum vibrating be
tween an e1pGrte council and an advisory must be
regarded as step IN he wrong direction and away
IS% nnsS ON 0e ths SUBJECT Of fellowship in th,
f'f Of hberaty and greater freedom Whatever they
meant, that will be che practical working OF A. Goo
made great deal wiser than they had an,
On being asked upon tbe personnel OF the Council
Gi. Bssslsi SAlG bs FsgsgDsS them as bOdI Of ven