The New York herald., 1874-08-16
name OF the clergyman is Withheld out OF respec

for his natural repugnance to publicity.
"What think you Sir, may ask, OF the state
ment Of Mr.. BeecherY,'
"Well, really that is a serious question to an
swer upon brief delioeratiol. As literary pro-
ductlon win say. however that 1t Is very forcible
and able paper"
"Wnat do you say as to its force in refuting the
gross accusations that have been made against
him ?"
"lt should be sufficient for the reason that Mr..
Bcecher, who Is now an Old man, soemnly asserts
his entire innocence, and certainly to a charitable
mind there Is 10 reason why IL should not be
cepted with cretence. / have always admired
Mr.. Beecher for MS talents and ability AS an
orator. lie IL wonder ul man, and no good clti-
zen can ieel aught else than sorrow because OF TINS
scandal which is breaking MIN down from the
pedestal winch he has occupied iOr SO many
years.
"By the by, the Catholic press has been silent
upon thus scandal
ayes, am pleased to say that the Catholic
three exceptions, nave been silent upon the sub
ject, They have left the question to the monopoly
OF their separated brethren, ana were disposed
TO crlticlse their course | should indeed say the
Protestant press have been most bitter In their
expression and treatment OF Mr.. Beecner. Inc
case s really IN my opinion, unfit for publication
Silence 10 such case ls charity which bespeaks
the most powerful illustration OF the exc else Of
that virtue which tue Church inculca.es IN her
members"
. "WOuld you suppose that Mr.. Beecher would
continue TO exercise the functions or the mInIstry
IN Plymouth church alter Ihls avalanche OF vituper
alton and caiumny that has iallen upon Dlm 2"
~ cannot Judge on that point henry Ward
Beecher is . singular man In very many respects,
and what other men in similar circumstances
might 90 or would ne would not DO. he may re-
main There and try to live down the present hue
and cry, that the scandal has raised. CURIOSITY
would lead crowds still 70 hear him. l am really
sofry because OF this afrair which must be great
blow, meE tally and otherwise, TO MIR. Beecner.n
This terminated the interview with the priest,
and the writer went on his way impressed with
ses Sesd .'' 'na' ne haa met truly Charitable Shep
What a Methodist Clergyman Says.
representative or the HERALD called at the
parsonage OF the Sands street Methodist Episcopal
church and had brief interview with the Rev.
George Taylor, the pastor, who had Just returned
to the city, having been on his vacation The
reverend gentleman very courteously invited tho
representative into the parlor. He spoke upon
the subject Of the scandal with an apparent feel
Ing OF deicacy. az the clergy generally expressed
reluctance to converse upon the painful subject
REPoKTER-l have called, MI. Taylor, to sscer-
tain your opinion In regard to the effect Of the
Rev. Mr.. Beecher's statement upon Christendom
as viewed from the pulpit standpoint. Your views
Will be valuable In measuring the depth OF feeling
existing upon the subject Of the scandal
Mr.. IAYLoR-I have just returned TO the city
being on my vacation, and have not yet had time
to read the statement OF Mr.. Beecher. Therefore
] am not able TO form any opinion in re-
gard to the orce of his vindication. Before
until al the lacts are fully brought out on both
sides. suppose this statement OF Mr Beecher
will be taken by Mr., Ttlton and anaiyzed. look
upon 1t at present as an unfortunate affair.
REPoRrER-YOu think this Will have very detri-
mental effect upon The Christian religionS
Mr.. TAYLOR-I think these statements should
never have been published. All these ecclesias-
teal diff1cut1es should examined privately and
confined strictly to the Church.
REPoRrER-You are OF the opinion they should
not be left to the Judgment OF the public, who Will,
of course, form Judgement in regard to the mat
ter, whatever may De the verdict Of the commit
teef
Mr.. TAyLoE-wen I do not know. But my idea
is, that the publication, whether true or false, Is
dsmoralizing to the public conscience. 1t encour.
ages bad men and shocks good men.
REPoRTER-Wnl Mr. Beecher. In your opinion,
continue TO occupy the pulpit In Plymouth cnurchS
MIR. TAYLoR-As to Mr. Beecner's continuing to
occupy the pulpit. should say that Will depend
REPoRTER-Let the verdict be what it may, DO
you not think there viii be strong feeling Oh the
part OF those VINO stand outside the pale OF that
church against Mr. Beecher
Mir. TAYLoR-I think there would be many wicked
men who would rejoice III seeing him lall What
mean by that is that there are many men OF sen
| suai minds who would take advantage of every
oi course be swayed by the verdict OF the commit.
tee. Good men are governed by their love Tor
virtue and bad men BY their hove for evil. An
honorable man would be delighted in his popu.
larity and useuipess; but all men, am sorry to
! RspoRTER-What DO you think of the statement
as literary production ?
Mr.. TAYLoR-I nave not anayzed It. have
| not had time to DO 80, but from wnat nave read
II Is like everything else he does. 1t appears to
be very strong document. saw the AGRALD's
aecount and intend to read IL carefully.
Rev. DE-. Freeman on the Statement.
The pastor OF the Sloan Presbyterian church, in
Prince street. near Myrtle avenue, colOred minis
ter OF much celebrity and very intelligent man,
was visited by a representative OF the HERALD
yesterday afternoon. He found the reverend gen.
tleman seated in his study In the cosey church,
and was courteously received.
REPORTKR-I have called, Mr.. Freeman, for the
purpose Of obtaining your views as q minister of
the gospel upon the statement made by the pastor
OF Plymouth CHURCH in his defence. What effect
will 1t have upon the religious mind OF the COM
munityS
Mr.. FREEMAN was just looking over the
HERALD, ana am an Xious to finish the production
before will be able to give any serious opinion
upon this grave question.
REPoRrER-What do you think Will be the effect
OF the documents Do you think the vindicaton
VIII be compete in the eyes OF the word9
Mr.. FREEMAN SLOWLY and cautiously Before
answering | should like to read and carefully
weigh the whole OF this mat er. After reading the
remainder OF the document I might have . dn.
erent view upon the case.
REpoRrEa-How Will religion and morality be
effected ny THIS scandal. Doctorr
Mr.. FREKNAN-So far as l am able to Judge It
will have very bad and detrimep tai effect upon
religion ana morality, Tor the time being at all
events. What mean to have you understand by
'the time being" is that these things which are
ringing in the popular ear and olurring moral sus-
capabilities, as it were, VIII wear away, and in
years to come che injurious eject viii have passed
| Into OBLIVION.
RarORTRB--well you are inclined, Mr.. Freeman,
| to the bellef from What you say aud from wnat
| you have read, that Mr. Beecher will be able TO
| establish his innocence before the worldf
Mr.. FRERhAN-I hope ne may, sir. Yet cannot
say that believe he will, for am not sufficiently
| conversant with the evidence to form an opinion
| that Is positive and decided opinion. The case
will IN all probability, be cOncluded In he courts
! and that proceeding might change the whole COM
! plexiOn or the affair.
RxroRTER-Do you think Mr.. Beecher will court
An omen investigatiOn in the courts In order that