The New York herald., 1874-07-22
A SKETCH OF THE CONTROVERSY.

We can best understand the controversy be-
tween Mr.. Beecher ana Mr.. Tilton by recalling
some historical points,
MR. BEECHERs LETTER OF JUNE 3 1873.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
l have Maintained silence respecting the SIAN
ders which have for some time past followed me.
lieving another OF unjust imputaton. The docu-
ment which was recently published bearing my
ton either with me or win Mr. 1iton, nor with
any authorization from US. II that document
should lead the pubic to regard Mr. Tlton as the
author Of the calumnies to which It aludes 1t Will
do him great injustice. l am unwilling that ne
should even seem be responsible lor injurious
Others. HENRY WARD BEECHER.
Mr., pEEcHER'S LETTER TO THE BROOKLYN EAGLE,
OF JULY l, 1873.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE BROOKLYN EAGLE:-
In a long aud active life in Brooklyn, 1t has
rarely happened that the Eagle and myself have
been in accord on questions OF common concern 10
our fellow citizens. am iOr this reason mpelled
to acknowledge the unsolicitOus confidence and
regard to which the columns OF the Eagle OF late
bear testimony. l have just returned to the city
TO learn that application has been made to Mrs.
Victoria Woodruff iOr letters of mine, supposed to
contain information respecting certain Infamous
stories against me. | have no objection to have
the Eagle state, in any way 1t deems it, that MIS-.
Woodruff, or any person or persons who may have
letters OF mine In their possession have my cordial
consent to publish them. In this connection and at
this time | Will only add that the stories and ru-
SbnGa nave or os9 me past peen c5Gu
thea IN general and in particular as utterly lalse.
Respectfully, HENRY WARD BEECHER.
ACTION OF PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
On the evening of October 81 the usual Friday
prayer meeting was held at Plymouth church.
Alter the religious exercises meeting was held
for the admission Of members. 7. W. Talmadge.
Clerk Of the Examining Committee. submitted
report which was read. 1t stated that in answer
to certain charges preferred against Mr.. Titon he
had said I'll never considered myself member
OF Plymouth church and I do not now, nor does
the pastor OF this church consider me member,
and do not hold myself amenabe to the church."
The committee therefore recommended that hts
name be dropped from the roll Of members.
Mr.. TntOn addressed the meeting at length say
ing that he had not attended the church for four
years, and during that time story had been
spread broadcast through the land that he had
slandered Mr.. Beecher, his minister. Mr.. Beecher
had published disclaimer exempting him from
this injustice. 1t had been charged against
him that his claim OF membership
was made that he might avoid his RESPONSE
bility to the church. He therefore, OF his free
Will. had come to say to Mr.. Beecher, surrounded
here by his friends that he had slandered MIN he
was ready to answer for it. 'Let him now speak,
ana Will answer as God is my judge.'
Mr.. Beecher replied that he had no charge to
make against Mr. Tlton, that whatever difficulties
they might have had were amicablY settled and,
so far as he was concerned buried and 80 far
as Mr.. HltOn was concerned, buried. His
judgment was against taking up this matter at
ALL as 1t would only stop the proper business Of
the church. The meeting terminated with the
adoption OF the committees report.
A CONFERENCE DECLINED BY PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
On the Goth OF November the members OF Ply.
mouth cnurcn met to take action In reference to
the letters OF Dr. Storrs and DR.. Burlington taking
exception to the mode in which Mr.. Tiltons name
was dropped, and proposing a conference in re-
gard to this matter. The meeting passed reso-
lutlons declining the proposed conference, and
asserting their liberty OF action.
Alter a lengthy speech by Or. Edward eecher
Rev. Henry ward BeeCher addressed the meeting,
explaining the broad principles on which member.
ship IN Plymouth church was founded. He con-
cuded by saying that whether they let him go or
whethe ne stayed, he lived for the love OF all
kind and for glory OF God, and not for quarrels
and squabDles.
HENRY C. BowEN's RETRACrION.
On December Mr.. Talmadge, Chief Examining
Clerk, submitted report on the charge that
henry c. Bowen mad slandered Mr.. Beecner. and
also a retracJOn OF the slanuers by Mr.. Bowen.
on December II Mr.. Bowen submitted protest
asking that he be acquitted solely on The ground
OF his innocence OF the charge. This protest was
entered on the minutes by desire OF Mr.. Beecher,
and a resolution passed accordingly.
PROGREsS OF THE CONTROVERSY.
At the Friday evening prayer meeting, held on
january "a, TIE ausWeT Oi flyluOuJn CnufCn TO
the letters OF DR.. Storrs and DR.. Budlngton were
read maintaining ''the principle OF Its soemn and
sole responsibility to the Master for the manage.
ment OF its own aE3arsr This led to the Council
OH church discipline, which was opened March "a,
1874, at pr. Budington's church. Plymouth
church declined consistently to take part in the
deliberations OF the Council to It's great disgust
The sessions OF this body were secret and laborous
on the fourth day Mr.. Theodore Iilton sent a let
ter to the Council on the subject oil his attitude
towards Plymouth churcn and its pastor.
He asserted ''tne free right oI a free man
to sever his connection with the church
by his free WILL" and declared that he
would never become a churchman In any church
in which this was not the rule. AS to the state
ment that he had sandered Mr.. Beecner he main
tanned that he had never uttered SANDER against
any human being He quoted MIR. Beechers letter
TO the HERALD or June 3, 1873, exonerating him
from the charge or SANDER, and also Mr.. Beechers
statement OF october 81, 1873, that he did not be-
lieve Mr.. TIlton had desired in any way whatever
10 shirk his proper responsibility by his four
had no charges to prefer against Mr.. TiltOn. In
conclusion ne reiterated that his voluntary retire
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