The New York herald., 1874-08-22
CHURCH AND THE
PRESS.

The regular weekly meeting OF the Plymouth
Church Society was held last evening In the lec~
ture room Of that edihce. One OF the deacona
stepped upon the platform about eight
O'Clock and add am requested to
state for the benefit Of those who have
come here with the expectation OF hearing the re-
port OF the Investigating Committee that It VIII
not be submitted this evening. The committee has
not been able to complete the report and We SHAH
all therefore be disappointed"
Mr.. Shearman then came forward and called
upon Brother R. W. Ropes to act as Moderator,
but that gentleman not being present Brother
John T. Howard was requested to acs in that Cas-
pacity. Brother Howard called upon one OF tho
members for prayer, and Professor Raymond re-
sponded calling upon God to shed HIS wisdom
upon them, guide them In their c0unsels and
crown all their efforts with success.
Mr.. Shearman then offered another explanation,
saying:-"This meeting was called this evening
with the expectation that the sub committee Of
the Investigating Committee would be ready tn
submit their report to this church tonight am
instructed to say that they will have no report t0
make to Plymouth cnurcn this evening, and unless
some one else has some business TO submit
Brother White-I would make . motion that
when this report OF the committee Y presented
vately. There are good reasons why We should
consider II among ourselves; for there are 50
many persons VINO crltlClSe every bctlOu Ol Ino
members OF Plymouth church IN an unchr1stianliko
manner that 1t would be well to consider questions
concerning the church with more privacy. 1t has,
become disgrace to think that Plymouth church,
cannot have a prayer meering but what every
word which Is said is spread upon the public
sheets In the morning and sent broadcast over the
country. Therefore would move that when the
report is made 1t shall be made Ia private.
Brother Gilbert SAID 1t will be ample time for rs
to consider how we snail consider the report when
we get IT, tApplause.) We have no report be-
tore us to consider at the present time, and can-
not. therefore, take any action upon It.
Mr.. K RAYMOND said 1t was indeed disgrocefur
that Plymouth church could not hold . prayer
meeting without having all the report-
ers OF the press. 1t s aquesti0n whether
We can hold private meeetings. the
meetings would be reported Whether
representatives OF the newspapers were admitteG
or excluded, and instead OF having fun and correcc'
reports we should have garbled statemenm pub
lisned. II could secure that privacy Wnlcn the
sacredness OF these meetings would seem to de-
mand l should be very glad 70 DO so,1
put we have found. oy experience IN
that direction, that all attempts at locking;
the doors and privacy In our affairs
only led to garbled reports, they being made byi
sOme members OF the church VINO were not very
good reporters, and who. innocently enough, mis-,
Represented all which took place In the church =
therefore, shOuld choose the former, that Of OPEN
ing the doors as the least Of the Two evils mov6
TO ay the resolution on the table, and when we ad.,
iour1 we adjourn to meet on Friday next
The motion to lay on the table prevailed, ana tho
business meeting adjourned.