The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-27
CONGREGATIONALISM.
Third Days Proceedings Of the
Congregational Council.
TIE SAINTS IN SECRET SESSION.

4
recre,u said fair young Brookynite 10 her
eaually pretty companion as they entered on
Tnursday morning, the tnird day OF the Council,
,.e omen door of rhe Chnton avenue Congrega-
t,ona church. al want 10 hear and see every
rningr And without intending at all so TO do the
Young lady expressed the earnest desire OF all in
teIlgent and church going people OF Brooklyn and
OF New YORK and the rest OF the country.
SECRET SESSIONS
are IN themselves suspicious and dangerous
especially when their object is TO investigate mat
tiers which have been trumpeted TO the world; and
above all things. secret sessions OF er parte
CHS are open 10 grave objections. But the young
lady above alluded 10 was destined TO disappont-
ment, Tor before the hour OF noon the Congrega-
nona Council OF 1874 mad determined 10 go into
'seeret session." and woman's curiosity was
baHied
TDe early portion OF yesterdays morning ses-
was occupied by a series OF cross-question-
ings OF Rev. Drs. Burlington and stcrrs by mem
Ders OF the Council and by a series OF almost
equally
CROSS ANSWERS
on the part Of the Two reverend prosecutors. The
majority Of these questions were evidently asked
by personal friends OF Mr.. Beecher and were in
spred by friendship for that gentleman oy SYM
patty Tor Plymouth church. This
SYMPATHY BEECHER
became so prominent at last to become quite
annoying to those parties In antagonsm with
thai gentleman and, finally wearled with being
badgered by question alter question, the Rev.
DR.. Storrs made long and elaborate speech, IN
which he claimed TO completely cover all possible
points. His audience seemed to differ with the
learned Doctor, however, lot, after his speech
concluded, certain members OF the Council still
continued TO ask question alter question concern.
ing the history OF the early stages or the Coun-
nnfn had aa,
conchate Plymouth church. and so
Finally, it was moved that the Council 60 into
secret session. This motion was opposed by the
Rev. &. r. Everest, pastor Of the Puritan church
of Brooklyn. This gentleman is comparatively
young man, bat quick, energetic, shrewd, thought
fu, ana his motion for publicity attracted great
attention. But the Moderator decided that public
Investigations were opposed to Congregational
practice, as represented in It's councils, and Mr.
Everests motion not even acted upon. In
other words, it has been determined by the Council
that a
PRIVATE TRIAL on A PUBLIC CHARGE
1s IN accordance with the spirit and the policy OF
C0ngregatCnalism. This decision OF the Modera-
tor was, OF course, respectfully acqtliesced in, but
many of the members OF the Council made no
secret OF their opinion as to the injudcious nature
OF the proceeding Mr.. Mcfarland a prominent lay
delegate, although defending the action OF the Coun-
routine, perfectly official and correct, said openly
that 1t would have been infinitely better for the
sake OF all parties concerned If the proceedings
had ended as they had begun, in public. Others,
however warmly defended the wisdom or secrecy
and compared the whole proceeding as strictly
analogous to
TRIAL BY JURY.
1.-The jury" said an eminent divine to the
HERALD reporter, .'hears the evidence before il IN
pubic, but decides upon it in private. The Coun-
Gil having, like jury, heard the public evidence,
now IKE Jury claims the right TO retire Tor its
private deliberations. No new evidence VIII be
taken In the secret session. Those who are, as 1t
Were the plaintiffs In tins case Rev. Drs. Buding
ton and StOrrs, DO not attend the secret session.
None OF their committees attend it either. So
that, after all we simply do IN this Church Council
- any other council not IN a church would do.u
As mere matter OF fact, the numerical majority
Of the Council seemed to be in favor secret SEES
mon, while the intellectual majority was against 1t.
The audience was certainly opposed to it, and If
the sentiments expressed on the streets OF Brook
lyn are any index thereof, the public opinion OF
Brooklyn was in favor OF tne publicity that has been
denied. Stenograpners and reporters were, Of
sOn'' OF the Council. The sexton OF the church
rendered himself especially oncious in this
church and locking out everybody who was not a
member OF the Council This suggestion was
adopted, and miscellaneous crowd, including
several ladies, was unceremoniousiy shown out
into the street.
The ladies protested even more loudly ana en-
phatlcally than the reporters. out the sexton vas
lnexofable when Shakespeare wrote of man
have had prophetic vision OF
THAT SEXTON.
Even Under the charge OF that sexton' some OF
the members o. the Council seemed be haunted
by the dread OF caves troopers and looked sus
piciously about them on every side. while otner
members walked TO and fro under a weight OF
mystery absolutely bursting with Importance.
One curious incident deserves to be noted 1t was
publicly stated to the HERALD representative by
gentleman who claimed TO be member OF the
Council. that 1t was reported that several clergy
men IN the 'secret sessions" up stairs acting
CLERICAL JOURNALISTS
in other words, were taking notes OF what tran
spred in tne secret session. with a view pub
hshng the particulars IN various provincial news
correspondents 1t was also Stated that several
correspondents OF sostyled religious Eews-
papers'' were admitted into the .secret session.
Another curious incident is worth passing men
tiOn. A very handsome, elegantly dressed young
lady rendered herself quite conspicuous among tne
delegates in the early part OF yesterdays session,
As selcorstitGted advocate Tor dear Mr..
Beecher," as she announced herself She was
very vivaclous II her manner, energetic in her
gestures and vciuble IN her tax. Altogether, this
FAIR ADVOCATE
as there was not the least necessity In the world
Tor her exertions. 1t may here be remarked that
the Rev. Henry NJ. Storrs, ID. D., is known 10 be a
hrm believer IN and warm personal irlend OF the
Rev. henry Ward Beecher. During the pending OF
the Council Mir. Storrs Was in constant ana friendly
intercourse with Nj. Beecher, and has maintained
the closest professional, as well as personal, rela-
tlons win Elm 1t should also be remarked that
one OF the prominent features Of this reInark abIe
Council las Deen .1at ere Of The most influential
social agencies WItcn nave aiected the Coun-
Gil mas been mat OF the very
who has never been within the
walls OF The Clinton avenue church, Mr.. Beecher
himself Many OF the Prominent members OF the
council have called upol Mr.. Beecher personally
during the Intervals between the sessions and
these social calls. though Of couse, unofficial must
exercise an important though Indirect influence
upon the Council. Many OF the prominent men,
beers OF Plymouth church have also extended social
courteses TO the members OF the Council. and a
course OF
TEA DRINKING
Ender such circumstances has materially modified
The views OF certain delegates. Among the mem
bers who have already made their mark in the
.secret session. OF the Council are Messrs Dexter
and Post. Rev. n. M. Dexter Is a large headed
maD, with deep voice. He is the editor OF the
CO,,greOattondtst. DR.. Post OF st. Louis, is very
old, very tmid and very nervous. Both men are
unquestionabiy aDie.
Rev. Mr. Bartlett is known as
CONGREGATIONAL BOANERGEs.
He speaks ike thunder storm, and speaks early