The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-26
BEECHER'S RESPONSE.

BEECHER'S RESPONSE.
The Answer OF Plymouth Church to the
Invitation OF the Congregational Coun-
Gil.
Yesterday morning at nine O'CLOCK, was assem-
bled IN Plymouth church lecture room one OF the
largest meetings ever held in that place. Standing
room was sought in vain by many. Every person
was Unused with excitement and enthusiasm, which
found audible vent at frequent In tervas all through
the meeting, MIR. Beecher feeling constrained once
to say. "Spare your hands" Mr.. Eggerton was
appointed Moderator. The meeting opened with a
prayer by DR.. Edward Beecher, who prayed that
they might be enabled to do what was best Tor the
kingdom OF God, that worldly desire might be re.
pressed, and that Christian influence might sway
their hearts and enable them to come TO such
results as would add to the glory OF the great
Redeemer after which Brother Halliday stated
that there was committee waiting from the
Council and asked II they should be admitted 1t
was moved and seconded that the committee
should be asked to occupy the platform and give
any communication which they might have, where
upon the committee, Rev. Mr.. Smythe and Rev.
Mr.. Quint, we're shown upon the platform by MIR.
Beecner. Mr.. Smythe rose and said:- I'VE come
as committee OF the Council OF Congregational
Churches to bring to you message, and we hope
1t will be received as 1t Is intended, in spirit OF
respect and brotherly anecuon. Personally am
a stranger to you; but 1t gives me some assurance
to know that my life has been well known by your
pastor, and he Knows by how many ties we are
bound together, and as IL fell to me to- offer the
resolutions which l present, allude to my per-
sonal feeling. and am there was in the Coun-
ell last evening but one feeling one Of Christian
courtesy respect and affection for the pastor and
members OF this church. (Applause.) And l wish
further to say that. in view OF the Importance Of
thus transaction, we wish 1t to proceed In
preted as putting this church in the same relation
OF freedom which IS sustained by other churches.
My brother Will perhaps add word.
Mr. Quint said From certificate OF an ecce.
siastical council called by the Clinton avenue
church and the Church OF the Pilgrims. it is re-
solved that Plymouth church be invited to present
Its answer orally to the committee. add that the
intent OF the Council was that the pastor and CON-
mrtee representing this church should feel free to
come to the Council In the same Christian freedom
the churches which called tue Council. Beyond
that suppose the committee has no right to say
but may be allowed TO assert the love and afrec.
ton, lar know, OF the other churches to this.
(Appause.) The Council Is now in session at the
CLINTON avenue church, and earnestly hope we
shall have a favorable answer to our invitation.
Mr.. Beecher rose and offered the following reso-
1ution:-
which have coareoasy presented the result Of
return u reply.
MIR. Eggerton moved that council of seven
should be chosen and permitted to withdraw and
consult, which was accordingly done, Brother Ray
mond, Brother Sage, Brother Gilbert, Brother How.
ard, DR.. Edward Beecher, Brother Hawkins and
Brother Garbett being chosen.
Brother Halliday moved that the pastor should
be added to the council, which was voted unani-
Alter they had retired statement of the case as
presented by the two churches was read. as
IolOws:-
In last against
to the pastor OF TINS church the member was called to
an q o
sde5 s sau be- ,ro the & n that
dane and the thus adoptea was aaSocaea By The
ns Sh Be- %
nSs sns s @ ask o
council which was reused II went on 10 say that
With %
a @ n and ssn' S
than INGENIOUS and contained threats to which they
could not ps e
themselves in position Where they reaSis the Counsel
Of unbiased church for out Of this
act II concert seems to them as il they should under
with each other There Questions here-a aues
n Of i%d ens p
Ts ero ars without w
offence. We cannot, submit 70 such a position,
for who as hat further
DENT church viii undertake. il this is to be the Con.
n s sS
denabe rights Instead OF denomination of free yet
units il be admitted that me nbers may
s ~ not do
ton"
MIR. King here said, as the council OF seven were
yet ont, In order 10 take the bad taste out OF our
mouths. we will sing "Beecher."
Brother Halliday said as long as they had moth
ing better to do they would sing
My country, tits OF thee, sweet land of liberty.
On the return OF the council Rev. r. M. Chand-
/ lar ulid bon fnfn ann-
sideration the invitation extended to them, and
nave drawn up an address and a resolution "
which the clerk of the church read. 1t was q
| resume OF that already published
THIS much, Mr.. Beecner said 1t was In our mind
| to say before the invitation, but having received
| your invitation to appear before your pastor and
| committee, ! VIII say that we decline. lest We
should establish q precedent which smaller
! churches might follow. We are not responsible
for the errors in the calling or this Council and
not willing 10 cover them with our consent.
! II was voted and unanimously adopted that this
declaration OF principles be adopted as the prn
ciples OF plymouth church.
read and adopted be signed Dy the Moderator and
the clerk OF the church and transmitted TO the
! Council as the answer OF Plymouth church, which
| was carried unanimously by 4S0 vote. The lol
| loving was also adopted
Resolved That DR.. Edward Beecher Brother Sage and
Brother Raymond be appointed as messengers 20 carr,
the reply 70 the Council and upon delivering said reply
20 take further acuon on it,
| Brother Raymond then moved that the meeting
be adjourned TO the last Friday evening preceding
the frst sunday IN the month. winch was adopted
and the large assembly dispersed joyfuly and Will
handBhaktng recoRnltions
The possibility Of a ne,o issue Of iaconrertibt
paper regard ,ciM amdsemert and dn1iety, and
in my Judgment such an issue uould be ddri