New-York tribune., 1874-07-11
THE DEMAND For AN INQUIRY.
AN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION THE INVESTIGATING
COMMITTEE.

THE DEMAND FOR AN INQUIRY.
AN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION THE INVESTIGATING
COMMITTEE.
Early yesterday morning information reached
The TRIBUNE that the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, al
last spurred to action by the mnuendoes against MIN
circulated by his enemies and particularly by Theodore
IIlt0n' had demanded investigation by plymouth
Church. II was understood that he had written two
letters, one dated the very day June 20 on which Mr.
Titon had published letter to the Rev. Dr. Bacon,
aud another July T. OF more urgent character ln-
sisng that the Church should take steps to establish
the truth.
Efforts were made to obtain copies OF these letters
during the day and u reporter OF The TRIBUNE was
dispatched TO Mr.. Beechers residence at Peekskl to
secure them. II there learned, however that MI
Beecher had suddenly left that place for NewfOrk on
Thursday afternoon and had returned. Inquiry at
his residence and at the office OF The Christian UH'oH
elected the fact that he had to the city on Dus
and had lreturned during yesterday afternoon to
Peeksk. IL learned, however that the next mum
Der OF The Christian Union would contain the Following
authorized history OF the demand for investigation;
On the 7th Of July Mr.. Beecher addressed a note TO
the Examining Committee OF Plymouth Church, stating
that he had requested certain gentlemen, members OF
the Church and OF the Society," TO make thorough and
detailed examination into the inslnuatons, or
charges made respecting conduct. aud asked them
II they approved Of the selection, to add their official
appointment to his personal request The letter asking
the gcntlemen " serve was as follOSsi
BROOKLYN June q, 1874.
GENTLEMEN: In the present state OK the pubic tce
ing, owe t my friends ana To the Church ana TIE
Society over which am pastor to nave some proper
investigation made Of the rumOrs lnsnuatlUns, or
charges made respecting my conduct, as compromised
by tile late publications made by Mr. I1Iton. nave
Thought hat Doth the Church and Society should be
represented, take the liberty OF asking tue follow
in gent 20 serve this Inquiry, ana 10 do that
which truth dnd Justice may require. beg that each or
IT II
been separately ana Rersohally sehl 10 nun, nahely
From nc ChWeh-Henry W. sage Augustus SIorrs
Henry VI. Cleveland.
From the Soeetv-Horace B. Clahin, John WinsloW'
:. V. White.
desire you when you have satisfied yourselves by
impartial and thorough examination OF all sources or
evidence 10 communicate 10 the Examination Commit
tee, the Church, action may then seem To
YOU riglt ana wise. HENRY WARD BEEcHER.
The examining Committee recognizing the represen-
tative character OF the thus appointed
unanimously adopted the action OF the pastor
and formally authorized the gentlemen named
TO act a committee on lts oehan ana re-
port result OF their inquiry FOR Its Information ana
further action. The CORgregGtOndtS lately suggested
that the charge against Beechcr should be referred
for examination 10 several distinguished men IN several
parts OF Ihe country. But Mr. Beecher seems 70 have
referred TO members OF his own churcn aud society,
whose interest purity Of ts ministry would MAKE
Who having chosen 10 Official trusts Oy Jner fe
low-members. would especially command their CON
cples and the genius Of COngregationaIism which lu
pose upon every churca the duty gf settling It's own d
Mr.. Tilton's publication. 1t will be remembered, was
made Thursday June IS. Mr. Beecher coming to town
ted ms usual prayer meeting, and on sat
70 inyesngate the matter The commttee has entered
upon work. aud Will prosecute IL ~ the earliest pos
sIDe cOmpleIOh'
The second letter OF Mr. Beecher. also addressed to
the Examining Committee, and referred above.
contained in the above article II was obtained
night by a TRIBUNE reporter and IS as follows:
July 6rs74.
DEAR BRETHREN: inclOse 10 you a letter in which
have requested three gentlemen from the Church and
three from the society Plymouth Church gentlemen
OF luInpeachabe repute, and who have
vOlyed any or the trials through "lch We nave
passed during the year. 20 make thorough and impair
tia examination or ali charges lnsuuatIons against
my good name. and 70 report the same TO you, and
now respectfully request you Will give % this Com
mittee the authority act in your behalf also. It
seemed that the request should proceed from
me, and without your foregoing knowledge and tnat
you should give authority TO act IN your behalf in
far as thorough investigation OF the facts should be
concerned HENRY WARD BEECHER.
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
Henry W Sage is deacon OF the church and a trustee
OF the Society. He has gwen $4,000 10 found the
" Lyman Beecher LectureshIp Preaching" in Yale
College, $500 10 found the sage College for Women"
in Cornell University; $4,000 toward the building OF
church in Ithica. y Y his former home, and is IL
slant exercise Of generous private charities.
Augustus storrs Of the commission house OF storrs
Brothers member Of the Plymouth Church Board OF
Trustees Treasurer OF the Society; Of kind char
table disposition, clear sense and consistent Christian
character.
Henry M Cleveland was originally Connecticut man.
and few years since a member OF the state Board
" Education. He has been member Of Plymouth
Church Ia years, member OF the Examining Commit
tee, and Is known keen-sighted, genial honorable
man. In business he IS member OF the large paper
house OF II. {. Hubert * Co.
Horace b. Clain OF the rrusrees OF the Society
land. with the exception of its President, James Free
land oldest OF that Board IN seryicc) has
always been known one OF the foremost men IN the
affairs OF the Society.
John WinslOw Is the DistrictAttorney for Kings
County appointed by Gov. DIX ana is member or the
law firm OF Winslow & Van COtt ia Brooklyn. His
partner, Judge Van COtt, Is leading member OF the
Church or the Pilgrims (Dr. Il. Storrs), aud was
member OF the Special Committee which called the late
COugre gatiOnal Council
:. v. White, the Church Treasurer, s prominently
active IN all the Plymouth Church aud Sunday
work. he Is banker and broker III New York.