The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-11-19

council, which leuiently treated the society
for its violation of ecclesiastical law and
custom. by simply rcbuking the action ne
irregular, at the same time continuing fell
lowship Gin the hope that Plymouth
Church may satisfy these churches Of its
acceptance OF the principles which it has
been supposed to disown" Yet in the
face of this rebukc, Mr. BEECnER's flock
has now dropped, under circumstances
moro nagrautly rcbcllious, Mrs. MorLroN
and Deacon WEST It s impossible for the
churches whose lenicncy prevented the
disruption of frnternal relations M the
council concerning the TrLroN case. TO now
avoid the entire withdrawal Of fellowship
from Plymouth Church, leaving II to sail
rs privatcer, bearing the nag Of Henry
WARD BrECurR, and loaded with the I'M
explored NTH Of its captains offences.
The young editor of the Tribune, who has
all along been the spokesman of Plymouth
Church and the apologist of Mr.. BEECHER,
and who now supports his policy Of silence,
says that the opinion of the plymouth
Church leaders" is that there is "little
probability OF any revival OF the scandal
IN any authoritative or effective form"
Whatever the instructions Of those leaders
10 Mr.. BrEcurR's npologist may have
been. we can assure the young editor that
there is more than probability of the ro-
vival of the scandal, and that authortn-
lively and effectively A council Of
churches is inevitable; the dignity of the
Congregational communion demands IT.
and the men who stand at the head of the
denomination know that the price of
pusillnnimity will he disgrace to the whole
church. Tho Ministerial Association has
also ITS duty TO perform, and 1t will be
forced to perform il.
The trial Of the LOADER case is likely 90
open up new facts. Tile nOwEN libel suit
Will bring up anew a scandal which IL
more undertaking in ITS malgn influence
than was ever any other which the coun-
try has known. Mr.. BowEN announces his
determination 10 feht 70 the end, and he
is not man TO draw back The defend
ants, with the reported assistance of
Plymouth Church. have oudcaVored to
apply the policy Of silence here, and to
compromise the case, but though they
have tried often, they have failed hope
lcssly
Mr.. BrrCuER's only hope was in stop
ping further invest cation, in drawing on
tho attention Of the public from his case,
and in the supposed general 'udisposition
- further pursue an odious inquiry.
Through his own onrontery, the bunsltng
of his pa ,sans, their violence of vituperd-
ton against his q -ailarts, their efforts 10
stop investigation by driving out and
CRUSHING the witnc-s,4 against him, and
tLc refusal any way Of 80 outr.g oous a
scandal to keep down. the hopes to which
The accused pastor 30 foolisAiy clung hay,
not been realized. Though he went out OF
his way. broke in on hi- UNIFORM practice
OF more than "a quarter of century, to
put in con-pio nous attendance at the
state Conversational Association ~ Nor
wich. with intent 10 more Intimately than
ever associate himself with his Congrcga-
tiounl brethren, yet lac now finds that they
are PREF AIRED TO cut him and ms church
adrift.
He will put bold face on the matter,
whatever happens. Tat is the part he Is
hound to play. 1t Is the only one left to
hnm, short Of confession. HIS church will
be even bOidcr than before, and Will de-
clare their ability to navigate without the
help OF the denomination; but both they
ana he will steadily, and even more rapid
~ than already since the trial, decline in
popular respect and influence. They will
be under q ban, and il will be the terrible
mark Of adultery and perjury pracuscd
and sustained.
The council however should do some
thing more than disfellowship Plymouth
Church Tor irregular action. 1t should
put on record its opinion Of II church which
keeps a pastor so stained with criminal M
puiations and refuses TO give the char gcs
against HIM thorough investigation. 1t is
time for Plymouth Church to step down
and out Of the company OF all those
churches which hold 10 the doctrine that
the Christian ministry should be kept be-
yond reproach.