New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-29
RECEPTION OF THE VERDICT.

RECEPTION OF THE VERDICT.
An IMMENSE AssEMBLAGE IN PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ACCEPTED WITH
ONLY ONE DISSENTING voICE-FRANCIs d. MoUL-
TON VOTES NAY-AN INTENSELY EXCITING sE5-
SION.
Perhaps the most notable meeting in the history
of Plymouth Church was that held last evening to
which was presented the report of the Committee
appointed more than weeks ago to investigate
the charges made against the pastor the Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher. Certainly there could never have
been larger gathering within the walls of Ply
mouth Church, and it may well BIO doubted if that
structure ever contained an assembly more enthus-
astic, more tumultuously agitated than at
times was that of last night Long before the hour
set for the beginning the great building was swarm
ing with fastswelling multitude, and when the
hour did come there was hardly an avail
able inch of space that was not ten
anted. The great auditorium was OVERLOOKING
with people, the broad gallery contained
close-set army of its own and the little gallery
high held all it could contain. To the very doors
and beyond were men and women standing, and,
standing on the window lodges without, clingng to
the sashes and peerng over the tops of the lowered
windows were eager hearers. Tho immense gather
ing included many outside of Plymouth Church and
hardly any absent members of those bodies. Not a
few of those present had come from country recrea
ton or watering place pleasures for the express pur
pose OF attending that meeting. The host of hearers
was made up of varied elements, people of almost
all ages of great diversity of appearance, and Of
widely different conditions in life. There were
hoary-headed elders and aged matrons; there were
many men and women of middle age; there were
troops of young men and maidens, and of children
even there were to be seen some. all were intent
with earnest expectation for tue summing up Of the
Committees report, and, at the same time, were
allame with zeal for Nlr. Beecher, was shown by
the tempests of applause which swept through the
reading of the report wherever Mr.. Beecher was
warmly defended, and wherever his enemies were
pointedly sssaled. Their fsrvent craftsmanship was
also shown in the ill-temper with which the pres
ence and bearing of L. ID. MOultOn were bOrne-an
ill-temper which was infamed by his conduct into
furious rage in many, by which the m citing was
made the scene of excessive tumult and disorder
A few minutes before o'clock the time appointed
for the meeting the swelling notes of the great organ
peaed out, the strong melody Oyerpowerlng the
hustle of the crowds still hurrying in. On the
platform at this time were only Assistant Pastor
Halliday and Mr.. Howard, the Moderator OF the last
meeting, with which this was connected by adjourn
ment. At each end of the platform was tall
bouquet of stately flowers and on the table bunch
of flowers from slender vase the foot of which
was imbedded in choice buds and blossoms. These
bits of color welcome in the great sombre
structure, but before the meeting had advanced far
they were almost hidden by the pressing spectators
who crowded up the platform stairs.
James Freeland, who has been for u years mem
Der of the Board OF Trustees chosen TO preside
over the meeting. His advanced years gave him a
venerable aspect, but the events of the evening
proved that he had not the strength Of WILL or the
prompt decision necessary to control SO great and so
excitabe an assembly. After the organization, Mr..
Gorbert was called upon for prayer lie made spar
ing reference TO the one topic with which all hearts
were trimming. After his petition over the men,
bers of the Committee of Inquiry were called upon
to come upon the platform. Five Of them answered
-Messrs. Sage, Cleveland, WInsow, Storrs, and
White-and took seats upon the platform, Mr.. Olaf
lin being absent or not responding As each MEM
Dor of the Committee stepped the platform his
name was called, and he received q greeting OF ap-
pause. Prof. Robert r. Raymond was then called
upon the PLATFORM and it was announced that he
would reed the report hearty plaudits from all parts
of the house follow ng the words. Before he began
reading, the easily moved assembly stirred
with great laughter, by the loud appeal of the AS
sistant Pastor to the sexton Mr.. Weld, give
us little more light from above if you
can" Prof. Raymond had been deputed by the
Examining Committee to read the report. The re-
port Of the Investigating Committee was presented
as the report of sub Committee of the Examining
Committee. The reading was began in clear,
strong voice, easily audible in all parts of the great
church, and it occupied hour, being given in
a deliberate careful way with fist emphasis, and
being often delayed by the long. heavy and re-
peated applause. This did not interrupt the early
part of the reading however. which was entered
upon in the midst of deep hush OF expectation
and interest
The restless, animated multitude become suddenly
marxelously still, and their strained attention was
relaxed to the end except i'll the intervals OF
applause. Only the gentle futterngs of hundreds
Of fans and the occasional rustic of paper and the
movement of pencils among the scores
of reporters crowded together in front of the
platform stirred the profound calm in the midst of
which the early part of the report was read The
Committee heard with intent faces the reading OF
the document they had prepared, but one of them,
apparently disturbed by nervous agitation, fire.
Quently changed his position moved his head con-
stantly. and played in an uneasy way with heavy
cane in his hands.
The first burst of applause from the hearers. and it
was tremendous one, followed this sentence OF the
report lit is amazing pity that at this iuncture
Mr.. Moulton was not turned over to the po-
lice" There had been before few Kisses
upon the mention of Mr.. Moulton's name In
the list of witnesses called before the Com
mite. Long and loud laughter and great applause
come after the declaration, "No one will believe for
instance, that Mr.. Beecher said: i humble myself
before him r'Tiltonl as do before my God" There
was O star after the words, IL Mr.. Moulton
understood the charge to be adultery, then
he is entitled TO the credit of the invention
that this crime could be the subject OF an apology"
while Mr. Beechers quoted words, Il shall