The Grange advance., 1874-07-01
e cher Interviewed.

, ne" York special tJa1e s6, Chicago Times. |
! The Friday evening prayer meetings are an
! Institution of Plymouth church, and ny Eeecher
generally presides. Hc returned from his farm
! AZ pcek>kil! to-day, ara this evening conducted
the prave! meeting. TIE audience was large,
hu. the ed ice not crowded. There was a
large spri. king OF cp~iou, strangers and q
! goodly representation uf the equally curious
semi faithful OF Brooklyn, who are not etrao-
gers to the charms of Mr.. Beecher's ministra-
! tious. considerable number of those pres
ent were in eager expectation thar Mr.. Beccher
wolld make some reference to the recent
charges Of Titon, but he said lot a word on
the subject.
After the prayer meeting your correspondent
had an interview with the brilliant pastor of
Plymouth church. Strol'ing along on the way
to the meeting of the examiners, Mr.. Beechec
said he had made up his mind that he ought to
take no notice whatever OF the recent etate-=
ments published by Mr.. Tilton Taking the
writer's arm, and speaking frankly aud forci-
bly,, Mr.. Be-cher said: ~ 90 not blame Mr..
Tilton. The whole affair is the fault of med
ding eccesias.ics, and DO not feel that am
bound to crafty them o. the general public by
noticing MIR. Tilton'S statement. have large
church under my care, and duty to my
congregation first. Eesides,'' said Mr..
Beecher, s.nilin. ''l am member of the
t.
tenllOn from me-
there was much in what was recently made
public BY Mr. Ti!ton whic though not con-
elusive in Itself, might be .:snstrued in worse
sense against Mr.. Beecher, and might seriously
affect his power for good among hs congrega-
on.
Mr.. Beecher-(esrnestly)- yes. that is
true. do not pledge mysen to remain silent
IN view OF developments that may possibly
arise. and even now speak only my personal
views when say am disposed to make no
reply. My course, however, will depend largely
o. what course the examiners Of Plymouth
cnErch may think it best for ne to take II
they deem it for the good OF the congregation
and OF religion that should speak out in reply,
shall do SO promptly and rncois akablv, and
will Put in ts true light much that thought
best to pass over in q spirit Of Christian
charity.
Reporter-Do you intend to notice this mat.
ter N your papert
Mr.. Beecher-No; I don't think I ought to
enter into any newspaper controversy. must
say frankly that l very much admire The tone
and temper in which the press generally has
dealt witt this matter. It is a sad thing that
this matter, which is mainly personal one,
both as regards Mr.. Tilton, myself, and Others,
should be dragged forth to satisfy the prur;-
ency of some of the public.
Then Mr.. Beecher said: "non't you think I
am rght?''
Newspaper rivalry seems to have been the
chief original cause Of al this Tilton- Beecher
scandal. One brother, Mr.. Bowen, who owns
The LnG&pendent newspaper, is jealous of the
Christian Union. edited by Beeche- Bowen
removed Tilton from the editorshp of the Znde-
pendent, and subsequently from the Brooklua
tnion, and has since bounded him down az
much as possible, and taunted him in regard t.
this Plymouth church scandal Tilton Gays
himself: Il have long borne unjust aspersione.
l ana public man, and find must, in justice to
myself, undertake my own defense" ;"