The New York herald., 1874-07-22

bership according to the bylaws OF the church and
society. The "Letter Missive" controyerted the
right OF the Plymouth brethren to do this. and
after more or less incsive correspondence with
plymouth church, the two complaining churcnes
addressed their brethren abroad 10 consider the
question with them Plymouth church was noti-
vited to send delegates. A null statement, from
their point OF vlew OF the matters Of dispute WAS
furnished by joint committee OF the summoning
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNCIL,
with Dr. Stearns, OF Amherst. as temporary Chair.
man, and Dr. Qunt, OF New Bedford, as temporary
Scribe, and l4l pastors and delegates the first ses-
sion opened on the 24th OF March. Dr. Leonard
Bacon, OF Yale, whose recent action has gwen III
ton an excuse to reopen the sore, was elected Mod
orator, and Hon Charles J. Walker OF Detroit
Meseroe, Of Brooklyn were elected T Scribe and As.
sistant Scribe. Other members came In on sue
ceeding days. The "Letter Missive' was read, and
AMONG THE DOCUMENTS
presented as bearing on the supposed contuma-
cious position OF Plymouth church were:-
Der 0, ls73 by Mr.. West against Theodore Tlton,
with correspondence Immediately ensuing; tnen
the report OF the Examining Committee and the
1878; . card to the newspapers from
explaining the bylaws. Next followed the first
letter OF the censOrlous churches to the onending
Plymouth brethren OF November s. 1879. PROFOUND.
ing hard questions like the queen OF Sheba. with
the Plymouth reply of November 28 1873, snort but
not sweet, covering resolutions to the enect that
pSVPAc
their own business. Then the second letter OF the
outraged brethren rate in tone, OF the 5th Decem-
Der, 1873, and the second letter from Plymouth,
dated the day following very short but not less In
dependent, covering another set OF resolutions,
very emphatically reassertlng their determination
to be captains OF their own ship. third letter
was sent to Plymouth on December Is, .mOre In
sorrow than In anger" but piOusy hnting with
little crcumOcullOn, at the pains and penalties OF
excommunicatiOn and the lambs OF Beechers flock
being cut on from communion. A third
1874, longer than usual. regretting the
decision OF the accusers. but adhering to their
platform OF Independence. and on the 10Th OF June,
1873, Mr.. Beecher had made q few remarks which
were quoted as very offensive. He had said:-
'These conventions have no authority; they
simply have influence. We believe In influence,
but not in authority, In such matters"
Three sessions were held on the 25th o! March.
At the fifth session, on the Goth, the council re-
solved itself into secret session. At the thirteenth
session, Oh the 2Sth OF March, the result was an
nounced TIE moral heruism OF the complainants
was c0mplimented, seven should errors OF judg-
ment be traceable in some oil the details OF their
procedure" While thinking the actions OF Ply
mouth might possibly justify the others IN with
drawing from fellowship, they hoped aud ADVISED
the others to keep on good terms, and reaffirmed
and emphasized their ideas OF fellowship and the
right to meddle. The accusers formally accepted
the result and everybody seemed satisfied and re-
jOced at the calm alter the storm.