The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-03-26
Plymouth Church and the Congrega.
tiOnnl COnnciI.

NEW YORK, March 25.-The lectur,
room ot Plymouth Church OF Brooklyn
was filled to-day by the members Of tn
congregation, who assembled pursuant q
an adjournment Friday night last 10 bt
ready to take any action made necessary
by the proceedings Of the Congregat iona
Council now in session. Moderator r
M. Edgerton called the meeting to order
Rev. Edward Beecher offered a PRAYER
The committee from the Council was an
nounced In waiting and the gentlemen
were invited 10 seats on the platform.
After the resolution was adopted 70 re-
ceive any communication that might have
70 be made, Prof. Egbert D. Smith, of the
committee, said they had brought a mess
age from the Council which they hopeCl
would be received with tender and
brotherly affection. The Council
was animated with the feelings ol
respect and love for the pastor and mem.
bers oil his church. II was desired that
all the transactions Of the Council might
be In the day and Light, and with such
light as could come from the pastor and
members Of Plymouth Church, and which
would place the Plymouth Church in
the same position as other churches, for
Tree discussion In the Council. The res
olutton Of the Council inviting Plymouth
Church to attend the Council and present
itsViews was read, and on motion Iof
Henry W. Beecher the thanks of his
church were voted TO the bearer OF the
message, and committee appointed TO
make fitting response, Of which Mr..
Beecher was one. While the COM
mittee were celebrating ON q re.
plys the Clerk OF Plymouth 4 Church
read 10 the congregation the charges Of
the arraignment. In q short time the
committee returned and stated that an sd.
dress had been agreed upon, which was
read. 1t was protest against any action
whatever by the present Council on any
issue relating TO Plymouth Church, and
proclaims that the Council is a parts,
that the charges are based upon reported
speeches Of its pastor, and that the
Church, will be judged only by its own acts
and declarations. The address was also
protest sgainst any attempt to formulate
the usages ot Churches into q Code and
Ecclesiastical law, and declares 1t bind
ing upon the consciences Of Churches. A
declaration Of principles was also read, ;
and the following resolution adopted:
ReSOlred, That we are constrained
to decline II, lest by our accept-
ance we should seem to renounce
our conscientious conviction and to
withdraw our solemn testimony against
the violation Of the Christian lib.
erty, courtesy and equity which has
characterized the calling Of this Council
and the steps which led to 1t and lest
we should establish precedent full Of
danger to smaller Churches, as encourag.
Ing irregular and dunwarrantable proceed.
ings on the part OF the strong Church,
which the weaker might aiterward BY the
force OF our examples be compelled to
condemn; We are not responsible for the
errors which have been committed In the
treatment Of this Church and In the call
ing OF this Council, and we are not will
ing to cover them with our consent,
The address and resolutions were
adopted, and committee was appointed
to convey an answer to the. Council.
The meeting then adjourned until next
Friday. ~ .: -" =. -