The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-12-17
Mr.. Beecber then stood up and said be had

MT. beecner then stood up and SAID De nad
some resolutions as follows:
Resolved, That committee be appointed by
the moderator of this meeting, whose duty it
shall be in the main, and in behalf Of this
church, to convene an advisory council of
congregational churches and ministers, to be
held at the earliest practicable day for the pur-
pose of advising this church whether there is
anything in its order or discipline which re-
quires correction, or which could constitute any
just ground of complaint or remonstrance on
the part of sister churches.
Resolved, That the committee is hereby in
structed to report to this church at an early
day the form of letter missive for the conven..
ing of such council, together with list of
churches and ministers which in their opinion
it is expedent that this church should invite.
Resolved, That the committee be further
instructed in the preparation of such letter
missive, and in all its proceedings to take no
step which can supersede or interfere with the
calling of a mutual council to which the church
has assented; and they are still further in
structed not to insert in the letter missive to be
prepared by them the question which the
church agreed to submit to a mutual council,
but on the contrary to except from the sphere
of the advisory council the matters which are
to be submitted to the mutual council.
Mr.. Beecher then said that after two years of
incessant interference, and the prospect in the
future of deliberate, concerted and continuous
interference by others than members of the
church with its domestic affairs, it seemed to
him necessary that the church should take the
affirmative in respect to its affairs. (Applause.)
The speaker said they could challenge any
Congregational chuch to compare books and
history, especially those who are their accusers.
(Applause) He could show that with packed
committees and their ignorance ministers have
hoodwinked the churches on matters involving
vital points over the heads of committees,
(laughter), whereas everything was done open.
" in Plymouth church, and the church man.
aged its own affairs from the beginning. Ap-
plause.)
Any advice of an advisory council not con-
flcting with the fundamental rules of the
church would be respectfully received.
Another letter from Deacon West was read
in which he complained of the injustice of the
action of last Friday, declares that he had no
Intention of insulting the church by giving out
for publication his last open letter at the same
time that he sent it to the churches. He did
no more than they had done with their letter
to Mrs. Moulton.
After some humorous remarks by Mr..
Beecher the letter was referred to the examin-
ing committee. A motion of Mr.. Beecher to
send all letters addressed to the church in the
first place to the examining committee to save
them from harassing by vanity or vexation,
was adopted
In reference to Brother West, Mr.. Beecher
said: "We are annoyed by mild member
who is acting according to the best of his
lights" (Laughter) E. H. Beecher, II. w.
Sage, Raymond, Hutchinson, Storrs, McOabe
and White were named as the committee pro-
posed by Mr.. Beecher. Adjourned to Friday
evening.