The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-03-31

and still mean to denv. The members of a
| church can put each other ON trial before the
church. We deny the right of any church
to put another church upon trial before any
ecclesiastical body whatever. A declaration
| of principles appended, Of which the follow
ing paragraph gives sufficient explana-
| ton: While we are ready at all times
TO receive suitable inquiry AID to give TO
sister churches every reasonable explana-
ton concerning cur action in cases of pub
lie interest we hold that it is our right and
| may be our duty to avoid evils incident 10
public explanation or a public trial, and
that such an exercise of our discretion fur
nlS0eS no good ground for the interference
of other churches, provided we neither re-
tain within our fellowship nor dismiss by
letter, as in regular standing, persons who
bring open oishonor upon the christian
name.
The resolutions of Plymouth church re-
fusing to appear on the floor of the council,
and the protest, were adopted without dis
renting voice in vote of $50.
THE COUNCIL AT WORK.
BUSINESS TRANsAcTED-T RECEIVED
| SPEECHES DRs. sToRRS AND BUDDING
ToN-PURITY IN OUR PULPITs.
| New YORK, March 25.-The Congregation
al council opened this morning with only a
few delegates present Many ladies were
among the auditors. After singing and
prayer by the Rev. DIR. Buddington, in
which he asked that the Lord would guide
the Plymoth church to answer the invita-
ton extended to its pastor in truly chris
tlan spirit, the time for holding sessions of
the council was agreed upon.
| DIR. DeXter's resolution offered last even
ing in regard to the name of the council, was
| then taken up and was the subject of long
discussion. The Doctor holding that this
was an advisory and has an ex-parte coun-
| Gil.
ed in the discussion.
Judge Walker spoke on the subject OF the
jurisdiction, which he deemed an essential
preliminary question, and it was, he said, of
exceeding importance that the tribunal
should decide the question of its power. II
this is advisory council, what is it's
power, its limit? We are asked to say
whether Plymouth church has conducted
itself properly, and whether the two church
es that have called us have conducted them
selves properly toward Plymouth church.
If plymouth church refuses to accept the in
vitation, we may proceed with an ex parte
council.
Mr.. Barnes said that it was very proper
that they should hear the parties, and so
moved that the resolution now pending be
laid upon the Table. IL was laid upon the
table.
The bearers of the message to Mr.. Beech
er's church reported the performance of their
duty, and were followed by committee of
that church. who read and submitted the
official reply amid breathless silence. After
thanking the council for the courtesles ex-
tended, the committee of Plymouth church
retired. In short time the council took
recess.
AFTER THE RECESS
the committee on credentials presented
report, which was received and entered on
the minutes.
The Rev. DIR. Storrs, of the Church of the
Pilgrims, presented statement. He began
by stating that both he and DIR. Buddington
were friends of Mr.. Beecher when the latter
came to the city, and it was with profound
regret that they observed they could not
stand upon the same platform with him
now. Congregationalism, he argued, was
founded on the word of God. This council
was to determine if a member of the church
can cease to be member the moment he
places his loot outside the door. The speaker
read extracts from the Plymouth church
manual as to charges against members and
of their connection with the church. No
such case had ever occurred in his church.
and under the rules no such case could occur
1t was the duty of the church members to
Investigate the charges against their pastor
He blamed Plymouth church for dropping
a member from the rolls without
first having an investigation of the
charges by committee, and its pas
tor for not denying the truth of
the articles which were published about him
In the course OF his remarks he stated that
if any man should intimate that this coun-
Gil was packed, that man told a deliberate
falsehood. 1t had been said that the speaker
and DIR. Buddington were animated
| by spirit OF hostility to Mr.. Beecher. This
was not so. Were they jealous of Mr..
Beecher's church? ESQ, they were jealous
of other churches. People had said that
they wished to investigate the charges
| aOainat r1amharS Plvnnth ohr1r0
| This matter had been hushed up long ago
and the speaker had no desire to open
it again. In what they were doing they
were not filled with malice and hatred
| against any member of any church. Con-
gregationalism was founded on the word of
God, and they could interpret what were
the rules and customs of the church and the
law, and not what they ought to be. When a
| church member was guilty of dereliction of
duty. His declaration should be sought
But if innocent of charges brought against
| him his honor should be cleared and he be
| vindicated in the eyes eff the world. But if
| he were guilty send him forth with the brand
upon him. In the speakers church mo time
would be lost in laying the charges before an
examining committee and if proved true the
parties would be expelled from the church.
| The first thing done with the member of
| Plymouth church, against whom the charges
were preferred, was to drop his name from
the roll without an investigation by a
1 cODlIQlLI6o. y uuoI VIC ClICuiuStduCoc, III
seemed to warrant interference on the
part of their church. One thing
| noticeable throughout these attacks of the
press on Mr.. Butcher was the loyalty of the
church to its pastor. The speaker honored
| them for it, for there were among that con-
gregation many friends of his own OF thirty
years standing. Bu. perhaps 1t will
be said that the church vindi-
Gated its pastor. 1t would have
Ieen great deal better had the pastor been
vindicated by judicial council, and then no
shafts of malice or aspersions could be cast
at him afterward. One Question with the
council was: were his friends right or justi-
fled in demonstrating against and action
like this involving principles like these.
| The speaker described at some length the
representatives which were published in the