New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-28
THE COUNCILS DELIBERATIONS.

rBr QUESTIONS OF DISCIPLINE INFORMALLY DE-
CrDED IN TIE NEGATIvE-THR QUESTIONS OF
FELLOWSHIP STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION
Farly in the day the nominating committee
reported permanent committee OF seyen-hve minis
ters and two pnt the opinions of the Council
into proper form regarding the questions before them
These questions were considered by one and were
very generally discussed length Of speeches being
limited and the expression free Some of the speeches
made wero stated by delegates to be very eloquent
and the entire debate conducted with the
utmost good feeling, although the opinions
expressed we're widely divergent No final action
WA taken upon any Of the questions
but an informal svote taken in the day
sessions upon first four questions in the case OF each
OF which very decisive NO was gwen This OF course
Indicated the feeling Of the Council in regard 10 chuten
discipline. and the particular case "hch occurrou Al
Plymouth Church. 1t is virtually decision tnsV
1t is not in accordance with Congregational usage,
that a member may terminate his membership
In a church by absenting himself from its services
and communion that IL is not in accordance with con-
gregational usage that the church shall withhold In
curry respecting charges OF grossly unchristan char
aoer made against member and shall treat him as II
still uuaccused the rule Of Christ in the eighteenth
chapter Of Matthew has been maintained. when
member who IS charged with having circulated scan
dals derOgatOry 10 the Christian integrity OF the
pastor" is publicly released by the church
without examination and without censure; ana
finally, that the acuOn OF Plymouth Church
in the case Of discipline issued by Oct 81 1873 not
in accordance with the order and usage Of Congrega
tOnaism IL thought to be hardly probable that the
final vote upon these questions will differ materially
from tho expression already given. The
remaining questions, which regard fellow
ship and in the decision Of which Ply mouth Church. as
well as others specially concerned, require much
greater deiberauon. 1t is upon the answer which the
Council may give TO these questions upon which the
real significance OF the Council hinges und which gives
the Council 30 great popular interest Shall fellowship
DO withdrawn from Plymouth Church is the question:
the answer 70 which outside world wants TO hear
The evening OF the Council, which was TO have
met at O'clock not assembled until after
TO- and the Committee, Of which the Rev. Drs
Quiut, Post, smyth, and the Hon. c. g. Ham
mond are members. announced that they
yet unable present any report. II then
60 late that thought best to adjourn until a.
to-day There considerable comment among the
members on the that Committee not ready
report understood that decided differences Of
opinion existed WITHIN the Committee. The position
which DIT Post thus far assumed in the Council the
personal friendship between Dr. Qunt aud Mr.. Beecher
and the moderation which Prof. SmYth has displayed,
seemed to impress many with The belief that the
committee would not shape affairs in manner that
could be offensive to Plymouth Church, but as they
chose to keep their counsel. definite opinion
could be formed OF their final programme.