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

lNeW YORK special 81 nne S6s Chicago Times.
The Friday evening prayer meetings are an
Institution Of Plymouth church, and MIR. Beecher
generally presides. He returned from his farm
At Pcekskill to-day, and this evening conducted
the praye, meeting. TIE audience was large,
but the ed ace was not crowded. There was =
large fpri. king Of curious strangers and q
goodly representation Of the equally curious
eemi-faithful of Brooklyn, who are not ttran-
gers to the charms of Mr.. Beecher's ministra-
tious. A considerable number of those pres
ent were in eager expectation that Mr.. Beecher
would make some reference to the recent
charges Of Tlton, but he said Lot q 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
said he had made up his mind that he ought to
take no notice whatever Of the recent stste-
ments published by Mr.. Tilton. Taking the
writer's arm, snd speaking frankly aud forci-
bly,, Mr.. Beecher said: II do not blame Mr..
Tilton. The whole affair is the fault of med
ding ecclesias,ics, and do not feel that am
bound to crafty them or the general public by
noticing Mr.. Tilton's statement. have large
church under my care, and owe duty to my
congregation first. Eesides," said Mr..
Beecher, snilin, ~ am q member of the
tention from me-"
The writer suggested that unfortunately,
there was much in what was recently made
public By Mr.. Tilton whic though not con-
elusive in itself, might be :,nstrued in a worse
sense against Mr.. Beecher, and might seriously
affect his power for good among his congrega-
ton.
Mr.. Beecher-(earnestly)-Ahl yes that ia
true. I do not pledge myseif 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
church may think it best for mo to take. If
they deeE it for the good Of the congregation
and Of religion that should speak out in reply,
I shall do so promptly and un.,;s .akably, and
will put in it's true light much that thought
best to pass over in a spirit Of Christian
charity.
Reporter-Do you intend to notice this mat
ter tn your paperf
Mr.. Beecher-No; I don't think ought to
enter into any newspaper controversy. must
say frankly that very much admire the tone
and temper in which the press generally has
dealt with this matter. It is sad thing that
this matter, which is mainly a personal one,
both as regards Mr.. Tilton, myself, and others,
should be dragged forth to satisfy the pruri.
ency of some Of the public.
Then Nh. Beecher said: ''non't you think
am right?''
Newspaper rivalry seems to have been the
chief original cause Of all this Tilton- -Beecher
scandal. One brother, Mr.. Bowen, who owns
The Independent newspaper, is jealous of the
Christian Union. edited BY Beecher. Bowen
removed Tlton from the editorship of the Inde-
pendent, and subsequently from the Brookly,a
Union, and has since bounded him down a.
mach as possible, and taunted him in regard t.
this Plymouth church scandal. Tlton sayt
himself: Il have lcng borne unjust aspersions.
am public man, and find must, in justice to
myself, undertake my own defense"