New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-26
ACTION or PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

VIEWS OF LEADING MEMBERS-STECHTC CHARGES
REQUIRED BEFORE AN INVESTIGATION WILL BE
ORDERED.
The reply of Theodore TiltOn TO the Rev.
Leonard Bacon, D. D., the subjec, OF much com
mert yesterday. The question almost universally
asked was. VIII Plymouth Church now take M the
matter and investigate il In order te ascertain what
action would be taken by Plymouth Church or the
friends OF Mr.. Beecher, a reporter Of The TRIBUNE
called on Thomas G. shearman CLERK OF the church. and
Questioned him az TO the action would be taken
He replied that he could speak for the church, or
even for the Examining Committee He doubted whether
any action would be TAKEN at tine meeting of Ply
mouth Church tonight 1t is the regular Friday DiSAi
praver meeting and Is IN no sense business meeting
The ordinary course Is a call FOR sp cia meeting for
the transaction specific business He did not believe
any meeting Of the Examining Committee Of the Church
had been held had he heard desire expressed by
any one special He had read the letter OF
Theodore Tilton There was nothing new in IL except
the extract from letter purporng BE- written By MI
Beecher. Even in that case the charge was care
fully suppressed That portion Of 1.-THE published letter
was capable OF two or constructions There Is no
definite charge OF any kind. There are insinuauons
and differences. but direct charges. Mr. Tton had
been told that II he would bring direct charge II
would be received and investigated, whether made
against the pastor or any member Of Plymouth Church
Mr.. Tton had been told this ny Mr. Halliday the as
slstant pastor and former clerk OF Plymouth ana Al
lea II and he Thought TWO lIufa, ~
sneaker In nearly all the ale gatiOOs o. Mr. ltOn thee
was more Of untrutb. This was the case IN the
passages referring TO him. and IN one or Two instances
of which he was cOgnzaAt of those referring 10 Mf.
Reechpr The fal-ehOOd Is so ingeniOu,y luterWOV4u
with the truth az render ~ difficult 70 separate them
except by au explanation OF ali the circumstances con-
nectd with tue incident. The effect was, however ~
each case dstOrt ami warp the truth 10 sut r IN
TOMS purpose He and other officers OF the churcn hah
received explanation 10 part oi IN ma ters al ur
and they were fully satisfied that MI Biecltr was llh0
cent Their faith IN lin not IN tnt edst degree
shaken He had been asked why au Investigation WAS
mai had and this matter cleared His reply was at
no good purpose would be suOseryed. Names would DE
dragged in ana painful revelations made UIier these
circumstances MI Beecher preferre1 10 remain silent
Ie did not believe any action would be taken uutll
pecilc charges were made by MT TitOn or some one
authorized 20 speak for him When that Wa. dohe' ne
and others In Plymouth Church would FAVOR formal III
vestigation ,..
Another officer OF the church, well-known business
man said that the Examining Committee OF Plymouth
Church had held meetIDg nor had he been informed
did not think the would De called mp at the close
Of the PRAYER meeting OF Plymouth Church tonight
His views similar to those or MI. smear
un,n Hs faith an Mr.. Beecber had never been shaken
When the rumors first circulated, he had asked
Mr. Tilton what truth 10 them, ana had been
told by INN that there grain of truth To bushel
OF chat. He asked what the grain OF truth, but
Mr. Tlton declined 10 INFORM him. In subsequent
conversation with Mr.. Tlton, he urged the latter or
The sake his wie's fair fame. 10 make pubic tue
truth In the matter. Mr. TtOn refused u do he
believed understood tine When specific charges
were made Mr. Tilton other person. he would
then be IN favor OF CATION Dy the Church.
visited, and their views were similar 10 thOse feauy