Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-25
ECCLESIASTICAL.
The CongregationsIist Council-Beeeh-
er's Attitude

The CongregatiOnsIfst Council-Beeeh-
er's Attitude.
NEW YORK, March 24.-Of seventy
nine churches invited to the Congregation
al Council, seventy-one had last evening
informed the committee of their decision
TO send delegates. Five charges had not
been heard from. Rev. DIR. Theodore ID.
Woolsev. of New Haven, Rev. DR.. Bush
nell, of Hartford, and Rev. DIR. Tilman,
have written letters expressing regret that,
on account Of sickness, they Were unable to
be present. Rev. DR.. Vermille is in Flor
ida, and Hon. Henry ii. Haven, Of Con-
necticut, on account of pressing business at
home, cannot come. No word has been re-
ceiyed from Rev. DR.. Geo. +. Morgan, of
Iowa, and he is not expected. These are
all representative ongregationalists. The
Council will organize this evening, but 1t
can not be foreseen how it will be organ
lied, or who will be elected presiding Off
Ger. To-night's programme includes only
organization, but it is probable that
proposition will be made to change the
Council exparte to a mutual one, and
formally invite Plymouth Church to
join it.
Beecher says his church has at no time
refused to take part in the council if the
questions to be decided by it could be sat
isfactorily arranged. Stars and Budding
ton say they have been unable 10 bring
Plymouth to the point either Of acceptance
or refusal. 1t is believed some of the del
esates will withdraw if Plymouth is not
explicitly invited to take part, and the I'M
tial controversy will be had over thatpoint.
Stars and Buddington favor an invitation.
1t is intended that the council shall close
Friday next. Many of the invited churches
will be represented only by their pastors,
and so the number of participants will be
reduced below one hundred. The seating
capacity of Clinton Avenue Church, Brook
lyn. is 400, and admission will only be
given to holders of tickets, most Of which
have already been distributed among the
clergymen and the congregations OF DIS.
Stars and Buddington.
The Advisory Council.
The advisory council called by the Gin
ton Avenue Congregational Church and
Church of Pilgrims, Bro oklyn, to settle the
point Of issue in the recent controversy
with Plymouth Church, held its first ses-
sion this evening in Mr.. Buddingtons
church. Of seventy-nine churches that
have been asked to join the conference, sew
enty-four have accepted, and sixty-eisht OF
these have each sent their pastor and one
other delegate. Six churches will be rep
resented only by their pastors. The
council will also include several pro-
fessors and doctors of divinity, who
will not represent any particular
church, and there will be in all about
one hundred and sixty members. The
meeting this evening was only for organiza-
ton and the conference will be practically
opened tomorrow morning. 1t is reported
plymouth Church is to be admitted on
condition that the investigation be so en-
larged as to comprehend the entire scandal
Plymouth is evidently preparing for a
stout, stubborn siege. Private meetings OF
the church officers were held last evening
and this morning in Mr.. Beecher's parlors,
but the doors were closed to the press.