The Grange advance., 1874-07-01
e cher Interviewed.

The Friday evening prayer meetings are an
Institution of Plymouth church, and Mr. Beecher
generally presides. He returned from bis farm
at Pcekskill to-day, and this evening conducted
the prayer meeting. TIE audience was large,
but the ed ace was not crowded. There was
large fpri. king Of curious strangers and q
goodly representation Of the equally curious
eemi faithful OF Brooklyn, who are not ttran-
gers to the charms Of Mr.. Beecher's ministra-
tious. A considerable number of those pres
ent were in eager expectation that Mr.. Beechor
would make some reference to the recent
charges Of Tilton, but be said Lot word on
the subject.
After the prayer meeting your correspondent
had an interview with the brilliant pastor of
Plymouth church. Stroling along on the way
to the meeting Of the examiners, Mr.. Beechec
take no notice whstever of the recent state-
ments published by Mr.. Tflton. Taking the
writer's arm, and speaking frankly aud forci-
bly,, Mr.. Beecher eaid: II do not blame Mr..
Tilton. The whole affair is the fault of med
ding ecclesias.ics, and I do not feel that am
bound to crafty them or the general public by
noticing Mr.. Tilt0n's statement. have large
church under my care, and owe duty to my
congregation first. Eesides," said Mr..
Beecher, snilin. '. ~ am member of the
press, and my paper requires considerable at
tention from me-
The writer suggested that unfortunately,
there was much in what was recently made
public BY Mr.. Tilton whiC though not con-
elusive in Itself, might be :snstrued in worse
sense against Mr.. Beecher, and might seriously
affect his power for good among his congrega-
on.
Mr.. Beecher-(earnestly)- )-Ahi yes, that ia
true. do not pledge myself to remain silent
In view of developments that may possibly
nd
views when say am disposed to make no
reply. My course, however, will depend largely
o, what course the examiners of Plymouth
CHURCH may think it best for mo to take. If
they deem it for the good Of the congregation
and Of religion that should speak out in reply.
shall do go promptly and unr,.s .akably, and
will put in its true light much that 1 thought
best to pass over in a spirit of Christian
charity.
Reporter-Do you intend to notice this mat
ter IN your paper2
Mr.. Beecher-No; I don't think ought to
enter into any newspaper controversy. must
say frankly that very much admire the tone
and temper In which the press generally has
dealt with this matter. 1t is sad thing that
this matter, which is mainly personal one,
both as regards Mr. Tilton, myself, and others,
should be dragged forth to satisfy the prur;.
ency Of some of the public.
Then Mr.. Beecher said: "pon't you think I
am right?''
Newspaper rivalry seems to have been the
chief original cause Of all this Tilton- Beecher
scandal. One brother, Mr.. Bowen, who owns
TIC Independent newspaper, is jealoas of the
Christian Union, edited BY Baecher Bowen
removed Nlton from the editorship of the Inde-
pendent, and subsequently from the Brookly,a
Union, and has since bounded him down a
much as possible. and taunted him in regard te
this Plymouth church scandal. Tilton sayt
Himself: Il have long borne unjust aspersions,
l ana public man, and find I must, in justice ia
myself, undertake my own defense"