The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-27

by Drs. Chaplin. II. NJ. Storrs, Adams. Barker and
W. ". Taylor. These prayers, interspersed with
hymns, occupied the half hour easily. AS the
meeting closed promptly at halI-past nine O'Clock
the members OF the Council and friends began TO
Nil the unoccupied seats in the gallery and body OF
the house.
The minutes were read and approved. resolu-
ton, which was pending on Wednesday evening,
calling Tor secret sessions Of the Council was
taken up, but az it obtained no second and was
opposed by members it was deferred.
The inviting pastors ana church committees, by
the action OF the Council on Wednesday evening,
were permitted yesterday TO supplement- their
previous statements by remarks If they thought
proper. They were also TO submit TO be catechized
wARpING THE BLOW FROM PLYMOUTH.
Dr. BRowN. OF Newark, n. j.. asked NJ Il was in
order Tor him % offer "A resolution bearing on the
question. and, being answered IN the affirmative,
he was enforcing IT'S merits 10y an address, when
the reading OF the resolution was called Tor. IL
as iolows:-
Resolved That nasmgch as this Council is in point of
such was rresaiary caied that therefore tor it to give
any adyee tnat can rightly be construed adverse to
eipes o. Congregatonalism which here convened
the general merits of the question and was de-
elared out OF order at this stage OF the proceed
ines IL was not, however, presented at any, sub
sequent point in the open session OF the Council.
The quoting OF this resolution and the discussion
u
plete his statemen: and presentation OF the case
o. the inviting churches. In relation TO the
charges which they make against Plymouth
church OF irregularlty III order and discipline ne
said that during the nineteen years Of his ministry
here nothing had taken place IN his church approx
Matlhg 10 what TOOK place in Plymouth cnurch on
October 81 last. Touching the invitation extended
to Plymouth church, he called the Councils atten-
ton TO
THE PLYMOUTH PROTEST.
when may possibly be regarded as not in accor-
dance with the action taken by the inviting
He. a
OF the propriety Of It's accordance with Congrega-
tlonallsm and or The wisdom OF calling this Coun-
Gil. III Is said, he remarked, that this protest re-
lnterprets the Interpretation Of independence
put lorth in December last. and, II that is SO. ask
church. We have endeavored to explain our
selves as plainly as possible, and does that pro-
presided over by principles hitherto un-
knowa IN church administration II that
IS TO De taken t as part and parce OF the
tinuation OF what was done IN December last, we
ask you 70 tell us whether that document IS con-
sistent with the spirit OF CongregatonalismS give
US an answer, he said, which shall not be mis-
taSen-giye an answer winch Plymouth church
shall understand, and by which the public shall
not be mised as TO the sentiments of this Council.
Are the principles upon which we have acted
the princpes OF our iatner sI0e Do we need
new department The principles now put forth
by Plymouth church were hitherto unknown in
that church or IN any other congregational church.
II this protest is to be part OF that upon which
you are TO give your deiverance. you viii be able
ing We have rolled the burden on our shoulders,
ne said, on yours. Give us a result which Plymouth
church will understand without any mistake, and
winch those VINO are 10 follow US VIII not look upon
as ambiguous.
An opportunity was now given for DR.. Storrs or
any other member OF the committees to add any
thing that they might have to say this question.
Before addressing the Council however, Or. storrs
thought the brethren might wish to ask him gues-
lions, and his remarks might be sufficient answer
to them.
oArEcHIsING THE COMMITTEE.
DR.. RANKIN took advantage OF Dr. StOrrS' readi-
ness TO he catechised, and propounded series OF
questions that shaved as close to the root of the
ev as Was possible under the circumstances to do.
They are as follOws:-
Is this committee satisfied tnat in their approaches to
msnqed BY our saviour "a the eighteenth chapter Of
Did they have any personal interviews with Mr..
Beseher on tle subject Of these letters
Was any effort maze TO secure such interviews and if
What definite duty and authority have the churches
Have these duties relation to the fellowship of the
TO h e wr to IN Mr. Beecner first submitted
Vas The expediency OF approaching Mr. Beecher ever
matter OF elaboration
en- una. me case OF d,sepine acted upon by Plymouth
Professor sMYrH remarked that Dr. storrs said
something IN his address yesterday about the
vindicaton OF Mr.. Beechers reputation, calling for
an investigation OF the ISLANDERS against him. He
therefore asked as to the cause OF the action OF
Plymouth church touching those accusations.
~. D.,
or the answering OF this question. 1t touched, he
said, one OF the most delicate and sensitive points
awaken more feeling in Plymouth church than any
other that could be raised. The Council Is not
called to investigate the character Of Mr.. Beecher
or the suffering OF his reputation. That Is in the
hands OF his own church and he hoped the Council
would AVOID this point.
Dr. SMYTH replied that he did not raise the
question OF Mr.. Beecher's character, but merely
wanted light on matter referred to in the public
documents and upon which the ADVICE OF the
AN IMPLIED THREAT EXPLAINED.
DIR. PALMER asked DR.. Storrs If he understood
MIN correctly yesterday to say that In case the de-
liverances OF the Council should not satisfy the
churches calling 1t he would never hereafter hold
fellowship with any Congregational church ? or
did Dr. StOrrs say that he would never give the
right hand OF fellowship TO a new cnurcnF
Dr. SToRRS explained this reference promptly.
II our doctrine OF church fellowship, he SAID. gives
the churches with which we are connected by this
fellowship the right to do precisely what they
making convert Tor immortality, as Plymouth
church suggests, and we are bound TO silence by
the Obligations OF fellowship and have no right TO
demonstrate without its being held offence, |
say never will give the right hand OF fellowship
TO any other society until God tell me what that
society VIII 90 during its continuance. This senti-
ment when uttered on Wednesday, drew iorth
mingled Kisses and applause. Yesterday only ap-
plause.
DR.. CHAPLIN inquired whether any pressure had
been brought to bear upon the member Of Ply
mouth church, who had brought the charges
against Mr.. rilton, and whether any private cor
respondence had passed between the pastor OF
tees on the character involved.
Rev. DR.. BYINGToN said that Plymouth church
understood that the offer OF q mutual coun Gil had
been Withdrawn, he asked whether a threat OF eX-
communication OF certain kind had been made
toward the clerks OF Plymouth church under Ger.
tain implied circumstances
Dr. STogRs replied Tor himself that he never
made any direct remark, and from his knowledge
OF the gentlemen comprising the committees, he
did not think they made any such remark. He
was glad, he said, that DR.. Chapln had asked those
questions. Mr.. West, the member Of Plymouth
church referred to- was present yesterday, he SAID,
and II he were mere to-day he would testify that
did not know his name, did not know that such a
man lived In this city or was member OF Ply
mouth church until he came to to
ask advice in this matter. He refused
all advice as to the moral consequences involved,
but merely asked Tor technical advice In the presen-
taton OF the charges. de had Tor weeks felt it as
burden upon his heart oil which he must be
lieveG, ana he believed 1t was the Spirit oil God
forcing it upon him. The church, he believed. was
sunerng-his PASTORS reputation was suffering.
He asked no counsel and would receive none
cept as TO the tecnncality of certain form pre-
senting the charges DR.. Storrs told him it