Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-01-03
CHURCH SQUABBLE.
The Beeeher.Bowcn UnpIeasantnes

The BeecheF-BOWcn UnPleaSantncss.
NKw YORK, Jan. AT the conclusion
of the usual Friday evening prayer meeting
at Plymouth Church, BROOKLYN, tonight,
Mr.. Sherman, clerk of the church, read a
communication which had been received
from the Joint committees Of the Church of
Pilgrims and Clinton Avenue Church, after
which Mr.. Beecher rose, and said Inc deem
ed it not inappropriate TO take some steps
for the purpose of making a reply to this
letter. He had asked some of the brethren
TO draw up reply, and he bad also drawn
up letter of reply which ne would request
Prof. Robert Raymond to read, and asked
that it be signed by the Chairman of this
meeting and members of the the commit
tee and forwarded TO the committees Of the
two churches.
Prof. Robert Raymond then read the re-
ply to the communications Of the commit
mittees of the Church OF Pilgrims and
Clinton Avenue church. The committee
admit the difference between congregations
alism of the Plymouth Church and other
CONGREGATIONAL churches, and claims that
the foundation Of Plymouth Church ef-
fected. TO pre-. est against the domination Of
CONGREGATIONAL ministers, which had eX-
cited profound Indignation among mem
bers of Congregational churches in the
city of New York at the time. Ply
mouth Church has been governed by
a majority of its members, while in
neither of the other two churches has ever
been heard the voice OF brotherhood in
open or called assembly. The attitude Of
the Clinton Avenue and Church bfFilgrims
in this controversy is characterized as Un-
warrantable, and Plymouth Church refuses
TO receive any further documents which are
not accompanied by proof or authority Of
the whole brotherhood of Congregational
churches, regularly and deliberately con-
ferred. and they decline in any case to
receive from any church letters
containing covert insinuatiOns
against the character Of any
members of Plymouth Church. Plymouth
| Church does not decline calling in
! mutual counsel, but will await a
| less dubious invitation; claims that
| Plymouth Church can make rules
| for its own government and still re-
main Congregational, and declines to with
| draw from Congregational fellowship.
| Adopted and ordered 10 be signed 10y the
Chairman and members Of the committed
and forwarded TO the joint committees OF
both churches.
| BOWen'S Protest.
Mr.. Sherman then read the report Of the
| committee to whom was referred the pro-
| test of Henry &. Bowen. This report was
| TO tie effect that the objections raised 10y
| Bowen against the report Of the examining
! committee were without foundation; rs lC
was not tried he could not claim an official
! notice Of charges. He claimed he HAD
never thought OF authorizing anything
which had the appearance Of an apology
| The committee made no such statement
The report closed with a resolution tha
the protest and this report be placed upon
the records, which, with the report, wa;
| unanimously adopted.
Prof L. w. Raymond moved that TIN
action Of the last meeting in laying uDoi
the table the statement OF Mr.. Holiday, II
regard to the Bowen matter, be reconsid
cred. After a short discussion this wa:
adopted.
Prot. RAYMOND then offered the follow
ing resolution:
| Resolved. that the report Of the EXamin
inc Committee, and the statement OF TN
clerk of the Church concerning the case q
brother Henry &. Bowen, be entered upo
The minutes, and in view of the facts there
in set forth. the charges be dismissed ant
the Examining Committee be discharge
from the consideration Cf the the case.
This called ont considerable discussion
in which Prof. Raymond. Mr.. White an
others participated. Mr.. West, who pre-
T ferred charges against Bowen originally
} seized the opportunity TO volunteer pc
, sonal explanation, but his intended 7,
marks were ruled out Of order, The rcsolu
tion was then adopted, and the meeting az
iourned 10 Monday evening, Jan. IL.
Still Stubborn.
LOUISVILLE, Jan 2.-The situation
railroad circles is unchanged. The Strikc
on the Jeifersonville. Madison andIndlan
polis railroad still hold out and aSsel
positively they will not return to work III
less their demands are complied with.
is not probable the engineers on the Nasi
: vile road will strike.
Agree 10 Accept the Reduction
Counsellers representing various d
visions of the Pennsylvania railroad M
; here in secret session to-day. 1t IS unde
, stood that il wac decided unanimously
submit to the reduction, provided the con
panv will restore old wages in thrS
! T.--..,-l,-,-,;, gfliaS4l. Sfl-p II