The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-25
THE TILTON.BEECHER SCANDAL.
Mr.. Tflton's Statement and Appeal %
DIR. Bacon.

mr. Irlt0us Stotement and Appeal t.
DIR. Bacon.
In the Golden AGE for this week appears a LONG
statement over the signature OF MIR. Theodore
Tilon covering the whole ground OF the celebrated
ecclesiastical scandal. involving the Christian
character OF Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. 1t is I'D.
dressed to Rev. Leonard Bacon, ex.Moderator OF
the Brooklyn congregational Council.
Mr.. Tilton gives history OF the case, and after
referring with studied vagueness to the recent
scandals, continues
The rules OF Plymouth church Afforded me choice
Formal ieaer OF the other myself
les. ey % avoid sn ns s T.
curious into me reasons or my ,
and lhereiore did not invite attention me subject
By asking or dlsmissory letter but adopted the alter
prolonged absence would finally secure 10 me dis
missal involving no publicity to the case.
Mr. TltOn enumerates various consequences Of
this act, and adds:-
and far snce evil tales magnify they raveD weekly
@ssa
10
gs S IN
cspses N ny g al when ina n a
precious since mine alone was the folly let mine alone
He then states the church proceedings which
brought about the council OF which Dr. Bacon was
the chief oficer, and corrects statement Of that
gentleman that IN retiring from Plymouth church
he had given no notice to the proper oficer OF the
church. He quotes an interview published In q
Brooklyn paper, IN which Mr.. Shearman Clerk or
ny cq ns aesrs % n ra 'Gn i ~ o% 2,
had occasioned the whole trouble while In half
crazed condition. She had mediumistic fits, and
while under the strange power that possessed her
often spoke OF the most Incredible things, declared
things possible that were impossible, and among
the rest had slandered Mr.. Beecher. Mr.. nlton
himself had acknO wedged that all the other things
she had told him In her mediumistlc trance were
false and sd; mp9ssiee then why asked Mr. Shear ar
only truth In her crazy wordss' He says
Ny attention lion was not called to the
believe ina. the CLERK q fiymoath church the
documents which the church had Just been sending
rage against truth and decency as the above
against lady whose devont re.
from spirituallsm or ianatcism Of any kind.
In proof OF the accuracy OF this statement he
IT, He then states his oner, dated Nav 4. 1874, to
Plymouth church to waive his mountaineering
mis- fame IN church investigation. To this he re-
ceived letter from Mr.. sherman declining the
ne o n, as as
dishonor on the Christian name. He says:-
Do not misunderstand / will not that in my
OF 81
% II Sas 2s hs last @
years and sec instance, which BY the fatality o.
ana n9ps sa sy
church avoided an Investigation into the scandal with
which was charged was not because but another
man had brought dshOnor the Christian name. !"
And yet this other person, clergyman permitted his
church to brand before the Council with
saton which, had been in his place ana he in mine
would have voluntarily borne for instead OF cast
ing another.
After arraignng Plymouth church and its clerk.
Mr. Shearman, for prevartcation and sharp practice,
putting him In false position before the public,
Mr. tilt on quotes Mr. Beecher, saylng:-
am ut forced the disagreeabe necessity OF Dor
yea "BRooKLYN JAN l. 1871
II ask Theodore Tlton's forgiveness, and humble my
self before him as do before my God He would have
been \ better man in my circumstances than nave
been can Ask nothing except that he viii remembe.
Tor myself. even wish thar were dead ,.,,,n
The above brief extract from Mr. Bcecher's test.
will be sufficient without adducing the remainder
OF the document, show that have JUST ground to
resist the mpuation that am the creature OF his mag
nanimity.
Mr. Tlton concludes by asking Dr. Bacon, as the
recognized historian OF the case to correct what he
considers false and Injurious presentation OF his
actions and character In connection with his rela
! tons with Ply mOut tn church and Its pastor.