The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-26
CONGREGAT ! 0NALISM.
Second Days Proceedings OF the
Congregational Council.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH DECLINES.
The Morning Exercises of Brother
Beecher's Flock.

the main incident OF the Council 1t proved to be
bv all odds the sensation OF yesterday. Those
who came to Clinton avenue church TO see
BEECHER AS HAMLET,
were compelled to go away disappointed OF the
spectacle. During the morning session OF the
Council Dr. Dexter and others did all they could TO
while away the time until the answer OF Plymouth
church was received. They talked lesrnedly OF
The history Of Congregatonaiism. OF the history Of
councils, of the early traditions Of the Church and
OF other matters, which at other times would have
been very interesting, but the attention OF the
Council and OF the audience seemed to nag; even
khe reporters were disposed to nod. till finally
illuminated the sensation OF the day In the
entrance OF the committee from Plymouth church
appointed to read the reply OF that church to the
Invitation OF the Council to attend its proceedings
shen and from that moment there was no lack OF
Interest. Moderators, clergymen, laymen, specta-
h0rs, men, women, children even the usually i'm
passive journalists, seemed to catch the Infection
OF the moment or TO be reused to intensity Of
attention
There was silence deep $ death.
And the boldest held his breath
Nor time while
BEECHER SPOKE
Through his chosen mouthpieces.
The committee chosen by the Plymouth church
consisted Of Mr.. W. Sage, well built, amply pro-
pOTLlOueu Olulsu uulCt, SCu-ICtoihcus hcN.
Dr. Beecher, Henry Wards elder brother. some
what thinner than MS famous relative, less luxu-
RANT IN outline less liberal LOOKING and considera-
bly, older, with appearance still with q strong
family resemblance to the pastor of Plymouth
church. especially ABOUT the nose; and, lastly. Pro-
lessor Raymond the elocutlonlst, who read the
answer Of Plymouth church, declining to take any
part in the Conference, and read 1t with a
MINGLED DIGNITY AND GUsTo,
and ne not only read 1t from his head but also from
his heart. The reading OF thisanswer was the crown
ing event Of yesterdays session OF the Council and
PRODUCED q profound sensation. 1t formed the
staple subject OF discussion during the interval be-
tween the morning and the afternoon session,
and the position OF the matter was eagerly
-canvassed not only by the delegates present. but
10y the ladies. young and old. married and single,
who yesterday constituted, not most
important, yet q most enthusiastic portion
OF the assemblage. AS the news spread the ex-
citement seemed to increase. During the inter.
wal between the two sessions great many re-
gained their seats in the church, sacrificing their
lunch to their curiosity, while others took their
frugal lunches in the aute.room. When the after
moon session opened the crush was greater than
ever. and all sorts Of devices we're attempted by
those VINO did not hold tickets OF admission to
get into the body OF the church. In the short
space OF eleven minutes by the watch some thirty
AppuCduIS were tuTUeu away UlSappOiuLeO, auQ
they looked wouily disappointed, too. SO great
was the crush that seats were given to ladles
1ue RaS TOT ro sae anu
amounted to, under the circumstances land was
THE OPENING SPEECH OF THE PROSECUTION
in the now world-iamous case OF Burlington
Storrs versus Henry Ward Beecher (unrepre-
sented) there was scarcely vacant seat up stairs
or down in the large church. The audience was
numbered by the hundreds, and not pin was let
fall during the speech. Every man and woman
present listened though he had SUQdenly
been transformed INTO stenographic reporter
Ihe o e. ensemble Of the Clinton syenue Church
its s0emnity and It's simplicity, its subject and Its
surroundings, the dim, religious light,
THE SEA OF CHANCEL TURNED FACES,
the gray heads, the venerable faces, the intel
lectuai countenances visible on every side; the
cradle yet able, seated on each side OF the slightly
elevated pulpit, with the light OF the yellow lamps
falling around them and the light OF the declining
sun pouring in through the large red windows
and tinting the holy place; the chancel, with its
tables and scrbes alongside OF which were seated
the United. statesJ, and in the centre Of which
chancel OF platform, slightly raised above the level
hour 'ne wn no0f in rnsns voice with ds
liberation mingled with intense energy and q
manner alternating from the argumentative to
the imprisoned, with an occasional dropping
into poetry" and ever ana anon side sly
dash OF humOr, stated his side Of the story, every
word OF which was heard distinctly, greedily, by
over 500 people OF more than average intelligence.
All this, In connection with the TACT that behind
there was an element OF religious dissenson and
OF social scandal which might at any moment un-
creep up 20 e n 81 rne plety
light OF the unbelever-all this constituted scene
OF more than ordinary moment-a scene more i'm
pOrtant in itself and in its results than any which
the City OF Churches had yet witnessed Although
on Tuesday night the moderator had reproved the
Council lorindulgIng in manifestations OF approval
yet on Wednesday the moderator allowed the
audience to cheer and to laugh as much as they
chose during Dr. storrs speech two privileges OF
hpv ait vpa q Ype
During the speakers illusions to the Beecher-
Ttlton imbrogio there was the closest attention
TO the words Of another the lad es In the audience
especially seemed TO regard every word OF Dr..
Storrs on TINS matter as verbal jewel and
CHOICE MoRsEL OF SENSATION
that they could not lose at any price One old
lady was so anxious not TO lose a word That during
this part OF the speech she slightly rose and
leaned her head forward so az to bring her itching
ears as closely as possible TO the speaker. the
the close oil hrs eloquent address, the reverend
speaker made touching allusion to the love
pastor OF Plymouth church, alluded TO the fact
that Mr.. Beecher had buried his the speaker's
side II he entertained any malice or ill-ieeling in
his heart towards Mr.. Beecher.
The close Of the Grafton, In which DR.. Storrs
LOVED BEEcHER LESS, But CoNGREGArIoSALIsM
MORE,
was also enthusiastically listened to, and the speech
when concluded was most earnestly and desery-
ediy applauded
Among the uOSL interested anu attentive au-
ditOrs OF Dr. Storrs speech were Mr.. Dwight
Johnson, an elderly gentleman who Is credited
with great executive ability in affairs OF TINS kind
Dr. De Witt, q comparatively young delegate. from
Boston; Mr.. Mcfarland, member Of the Storrs
Budington committee very active and afabe
and never still, ana, as 1t were 1.-The agenW OF TIT
exhibition, Rev. DIR. Scudder. wideawake, nerv
ous arge-headed gentleman; Mr.. z. p. Dixon,
prominent Budingtonlan, a wealthy Brooklynlte
Dr. Fairchili, the President OF Ooerlin College
Rev. Mr. Meserve. OF Brooklyn, who IL credite'
with being the best
CLERICAL WET NURSE
OF ''weaku churches III the Congregational fold
Rev DR.. Adams formerly OF Maine. now OF Orang
Valley, one OF the Nestors Of the faith FRO esso
Barstow. a large-eyed thinker; Professor Dwight
thinker, with small eyes; Messrs. X. Z. Buck,
>. Barnes, Woolworth and Eiwell, all prominent
sroRRITE5 AND BUDINGTONfANs,
the last named--r. w. Elweil-being corspicuou
by the bouquet in MS button hole-a bouquet wnic
he always wears every day In the year and ever
hour Of the day and which, in the absence OF Mr.
Beecher's eloqaence, was the most 'nowery' Oh
ject III the not very roseate Congregational Council
THE PROCEEDINGS.