The Portland daily press., 1874-08-31

recent events. In such criticism even to the
extent of regrets and censure, we are sure no
man would JOIN more sincerely than Mr..
Beecher himself.
Fourth-We find nothing whatever in the
evidence that should impair the perfect conf
dence OF Plymouth church or the world in the
Christian character aud integrity of Henry
Ward Beecher. Andlnow let the peace of God,
that passeth all understanding, rest and abide
with Plymouth church and her beloved and
eminent pastor, SO much and so long afflicted.
HENRY w. SAGE,
HENRY M. CLEVELAND,
AUG. SToRRs,
HORACE B. CLAFLIN,
JOHN WINsLoW,
S. V. WHITE,
COMMITTEE of Investigation.
THE CHURCH ADOPTS THE COMMITTEES EXON
GRAFTON.
After the reading of the Investigating COM
mittee's report Mr.. Raymond read the report of
the examing committee as sollows
Understandings committee of Plymouth church
beg leave to report that in consequence of the
publications or certain statements by Theodore
Hilton, this committee was requested by the
pastor of this church to authorize an investiga-
ton by sub committee into the imputations
made against his character on July 6. 1874.
The committee accordingly appointed brothers
III. w. Sage and HI. M. Cleveland such a sub
committee, requesting them to associate with
themselves Messrs. Cladin, Winslow, Storrs
M
lining committed IN their work of investiga.
ton. No charges having been preferred to the
church or to the examining committee against
our pastor, it was the office of the sub-com-
mittee simply to ascertain whether there was
any foundation in fact for the charges and trial
before this body of the church. This COMMITTEES
has in our judgment faithfully and impartially
discharged its duties and has presented
to us report which is here annexed. The
evidence taken has also been transmitted To
tnf hos oil aHxr Laa,>
lie. The publication OF the remainder will be-
considered by us at a future meeting, one point.
however, being settled that nothing will be
withheld from publication which can afford a
pretext for censuring the pastor of this church
The expectancy OF publishing evidence iniuri-
Gus to other parties is a question which cannot
be hastily determined. While We should have
unhesitatingly done our duty in case different
conclusion had been reached, we rejoice to saw
that without one dissenting voice this commit
tee find nothing in the evidence to Justify the
least suspicion of our pastors integrity and
purity and everything to justify the demand
on the part of Plymouth church and society. a
degree of confidence and affection towards its
pastor, if possible, more than it has ever vet
felt towards bim 1t is not the office of This
committee to review his errors of Judgment. in
managing q complex trouble end Struggling
against the most infamous conspiracy know,
to the present age 1t is for US simply to CON
slider what moral culpability, if any, is deyel-
NciopCu upOl LIS pdio duu VI tuiS we nEu no
proof, although, nnder a delusion artfully
brought about by his enemies, our pastor was
for a long time made to believe himself IN
fault. In conclusion, we recommend tc the
church the adoption of the following resolu-
tons:
Resolved, That the evidence laid before the
investigating committee not only does not af-
ford any foundation for putting the pastor of
this church, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, upon
trial, but, on the contrary, establishes, to the