New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-02
MR. TILTON'S SERVICES IN PLYMOUTH
CHURCH

Q. Now, Mr.. Beecher what was the relation
between Mr. 1iltOn aud yourself and Plymouth Church.
from your early acquaintance with him onward: when
did he become member Of the church, and how ho
to sharing in the religious duties the church. and it,
benevolent action in the early dlysl \. In the early
days, Sir-I cannot say when he joined; it earymy
impression is that he joined the church before H.
married. and he was married in lSJl.
@ 1854 a. No; his wife Joined the church in ISL;
don't know theI have record anything else o. az
joining it.
O Previous o his nlarrinsrl A. She Joined IT,
O. Previous to his marriagel ~ Wcl | have very
little recollection Sir of his connection with the church
previous; only know that ut very early day he
limited period either the Superintendent second
Superintendent the Sun1ay-,choo and recollect that
he used be in Friday night prayer meetings which
were conversation meetings conference meetings, "a
they call them in w-Engand, and used to take part
both in speaking and in prayer and looked upon him as
ne the in the church that destined To be very
useful and continued TO be useful particularly in sab
bath-school work-we, know not how many years
O. And up about what time did this cordial or deyOut
relation to the church connuei A. think Sir. that
about the time Mr. Tton began be public speaker he
found himself much absent aud much called upon
that he gradually fell OF from attending church, should
say somewhere before ls60-nOt that he ab,ented him
self or regarded with dsfayor, but that in the number
OF his cmpOymcnts, and in the nature of Them was not
in his way be at church constantly persons were
that lived IN town all the time
O. Well when did you first know Of any modification
or changes of his religious opinions matters of faith
or OF church organization and actOnl A. Well, think
il was after lie and | were On The independent
together. Sir
O. And were those matters among the subjects OF your
conversations and conferences A. Not in the form per
haps which yonr question implies the general themes
Of religious life and beliefs matter OF conversation
great deal with us particularly in its relations TO
psychology the practical development OF IT, and its adap
tation to the times present time in which we live;
ycr recolect to have had strictly doctnal converse
ton with hiln-yery likely my fault.
o. Well prior To the time at which this letter writ
ten which you perceive il 1867 had you become aware
Of changes his religious faith doubts in his mind
concerning the substance of his former taithf A. had
O. And in what way had you BECOME aware Of thatt
A. found that his wife distressed on the matter;
called pastor to confer about IT, never exrestu
lated with him and brought IL cut and accounted IL
simply that drift which fruitful young mind takes often
when passing through the from traditional be-
lefs Ia personal and his beliefs and belieEed that
time and experience would certainly rectify IT,
O. And II in that period that this letter was Writ
tent A. In that period. but the special ocea'
sion, IL | do not misIemember-I state IL SUD
ject correeton-after assuming the fesionsloy oS
the Christian onion there appeared OF two articles
A. The Independent, should have said Ihere APP
peared one Or two articles which excited very great
alarm, and my personal knowledge, excited distru''
OF him. which thought WAS In measure, ana also
lpjurng the pap land The Independent was always
dear TO mel and it WIS brought home 70 me- because !"
the Northwest whore my brother Dr. Edward Beechei'
lives, was held ro ponsible for his alterations
q For Mr.. TiltUls alterations A. For MI IiltohS'
yes sir That BID me 10 have some conversations WIN
him. don't recall them Individually; only recall them
connected, partly with the anxiety OF his hcnSepou
nse Mute r-se.