The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-04-07
AFTER THE COUNCIL.

VIEWS OF THE CHIEF wORKERS-MR. BEECH
ER'S SENTIMENTS on THE OUTCOME.
special telegram to the Chicago Tribune
says: Various opinions were expressed on
Sunday and yesterday regarding the result
of the Congregational council. A feeling of
satisfaction seemed very generally to pre-
vail. The friends of Mr.. Beecher regard il
as vindicsting their pastor and church, and
as an assurance of good will in the future,
from the large number of churches repre-
sented. They say it was shrewdly managed
by men able to please those who
want to be pleased without doing
anything that can reflect very severely
upon any one else. On the other hand, the
adherents of the Storrs-B uddington party
consider that the honor of the church is pre-
served; that the standard of discipline is up.
held; the principle Of responsibility In fell
lowship is maintained; and the action of two
churches in demonstrating with Plymouth
church is commended. What more could
they askY Both sides are satisfied, division
in the Congregational body Is prevented, and
it has been shown that much charity ana
iberality exists among churches of the de-
nomination, while they still hold their
polity precious.
DIR. sToRRs
Expressed in his remarks to his congrega-
ton on Sunday, his estimate of the result in
the following words: 1T vindicates and re-
affirms positively, powerfully, and with the
weight of such a council as was never
gathered on any cause in this city before,
the principles which we have affirmed from
the beginning"
DIR. BUDDINGToN
Expressed to a reporter to-day his sattsfac-
ton with the councils decision. He said
every point for which the summoning
churches had contended had been sustained.
The action of DIR. Storrs and his own church
had been misconstrued to their detriment,
but he believed that it is now generally con-
coded that their motives were not personal
that the council was impartial, and that the
cause of the church aud christianity had
been subserved by its deliberations and de-
liverance.
MIR. BEECHER,
When asked to-day, his opinion of the de-
cision of the council, said: "In regard to the
effect on Congregational polity at large, and
especially the influence of such precedent
as this council. if it should be followed in
relation to feeble churches, there is great
deal to be said, but / waive that now. In
reference to Plymouth church, i have this
to say only. that L ex pected that 100 or 200
men assembled from all the United States,
supplied beforehand with imperfect docu-
mentary, evidence, and special plea of
statement, accompanying it, and without
any knowledge of the interior affairs of
Plymouth church and the details of its ac-
ton, or the considerations which moved il
would make serious criticisms upon
the processes and results of Ply
mouth church. They could not be
expected TO judge of our affairs
except by the analogy of their own; but
the whole case was summed up in this: Are
the principles and practices of Plymouth
church such as to make it unworthy Of fell
lowship among Congregational churches?
The council decided the question in the mega
tive. While the calling of such a council,
which, may be called pendulum vibrating
between an ex .parte council and an advisory
one, must be regarded as step in the wrong
direction and away from true Congregations
alism, yet its deliverance on the Subject of
fellowship in the case of Plymouth church
is long step toward liberality and greater
freedom. Whatever they meant, that will
be the practical working of it. God made
their action great deal wiser than they bad
had any intention it should be. 1 regarded
the council as body of very excellent men,
and do not look upon it as packed or picked
in any other sense than this: that it was un-
doubleday selected from men who were sup
posed to hold the old and stringent views OF
No