Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-04-03
The Brooklyn Congregational COunCil
..-the Verdict.

In The Sunday Herald OF the 10th ult.,
we find the following concise and explicit |
statement, or explanation, in regard TO the
council of Congregational churches which
was held al Brooklyn, n. Y, last week;
1.-THE council originated with the famous
Tilton- Woodhull scandal, affecting serious
ly Mr.. Beecher's good name if told ny any
one else, but as it came from Mrs. Wood
hull receiving no credeuce and reacting to
the injury of Theodore Tilton. Last fall
VIXEN the church finally decided to take up
the case and act upon it, charges were prefer
red against Tilton for having circulated the
scandal. TO these lie replied by saying he
had withdrawn from tie church four years
ago, and was not subject TO the call of the
committee. Then the church voted to drop
his name from the rolls, under one Of its
rules. Subsequently MIR. Tlton offered to
answer any char es which Mr.. Beecher
might bring against him, beng satlsfacto-
rily assured that Mr.. Beecher would do
nothing of the sort. Here Ply mouth Church
would have dropped the matter, but here
the other churches took ii up.
1.-The large and influential societies of
" hich Rev. Drs. Storrs and Burlington are
the pastors, addressed n j)int letter to
Plymouth Church, recting the facts in Til
toms case, and protesting against il as sub
yersive of all true Christian discipline, I'M
Just 10 those aggrieyed by another's wrong
doing, Injurious TO the accused, TO the
church, 10 the world TO Christ, and esp0c-
tally dangerous because Tiltons offence
| 4 o ID Of n mi In,
whose repute the whole church has an in
terest, against whom clrcumstantal and
damaging statements are alleged to have
been made by the member whom the
church thus puts beyond its reach con-
corning whom suspicion Is almost sure to
be increased by such an apparent avoid
ance of duty" In conclusion they propCs-
| ed a conference of the three churches to re-
consider the whole matter. The reply of
Plymouth Church, a fortnight AFTER, was,
in substance, that as its case had apparent
ly been prejudged, the request for con-
ference was declined. Other correspond
ence followed, Plymouth Church declar-
ing its absolute independence, the others
reiterating their request without obtaining
any concession, the three pastors profess
ing their mutual love and admiration, and
the popular feeling becoming Intensely ex-
cited. Finally the dissatisfied churches
took the usual course for calling council
of sister churches TO advise with them on
their duty toward Plymouth Church. Tues
day evening March 2I) the council met. 1t
was composed of $50 picked men of the de-
nomination, comprising its leading pastors,
college presidents, theological professors
and scholars. DIR. Leonard Bacon presid-
cd. The representatives, of seyenty-five
churches took part In tho deliberations,
Even after the character of the council was
known, Plymouth Church refused to par
ticipate. The carefully prepared platform
of the great Congregational council of 1871
declares that while the right Of government
resides In local churches, all churches being
in communion ono with another as part Of
Christ's catholic church, have mutual du.
ties subsisting in the obligations Of fellow
ship. From this Mr.. Beecher's people prac
tically dissent, taking the ground of actua
, independence.
, 1.-THE council met and organized ON Tues
Z day evening, and then invited Plymouth
Church to make such statements as nigh
, seem advisable to them. A delegation