New-York tribune., 1875-11-29
THE COMING COUNCIL

WHAT CONGREGAl1ONALlSlS EAfEOI.
THE STEPS TO BE TAKEN BEFORE THE COUNCIL
CoNvENEs-PREPAgAT1oN ORA LErIER-MissNE
SCOPE OF The COUNCILS WoRk-PRoBABLE
REsULTs-viEws OF PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
In order to ascertain the steps which will
be necessary to organize mutual council OF Congre-
eaiona churches for the settlement of the question at
issue between Plymouth Church and Mrs Moulton
TRIBUNE reporter Saturday called upon "eh-
known member OF the Congregational denomination,
who has held official place in the Congregational Asso
caon and has given considerable attention to this case
He said the position Of Mrs MOuiton the same as
that of Theodore Tlton in 1874, when ms name was
dropped from the Plymouth roll. AT that time Mr.
Beechers church refused To unite in callng council,
and an parte convened But the case dHefeu
from Mr.. Tilton's in that it had now been decided
TO call o mutual council to consider 1t. The first
step necessary Is that the two parties get together ana
prepare lettermissye 1t termed In which shall
be entered all the subjectmattcr that to be considered
by the council This document becomes its organic law
so far determining what business shall come before H.
and neither party exceed what Is therein prescribed
The questions involved In the scandal viii be Involved
il the parties agree in the ettermissve that they shal
be included otherwise they will not he involved The
next step will fix the date and place OF holding tine
council which will also be done by mutual agreement
The composition of the council viii next be considered
The organisation of the Congregational churches Is such
that the members Of this body may be chosen from any
ClUrClea d
power of the churches and indyidual church stands
or falls by itself Mrs MOuton tue plaintiff VIII have
the uriv ege OF naming the first half OF the ccuci after
which Plymouth Church will name the other hat IL
will be composed Of both pastors and lymen ana proOa
bly, ministers not delegates viii be invited to attend tbe
council, but they will not have voice IN making the
decision The number of members may be as large or as
slaan as the two parties may desire In the er pdHe
council called To consider Mr. Tltons there were 20
churches represented but it is not deemed probable
that there will be than 80 80 members In the
mutual council This gentleman said he Thought Ply
month Church wOuld object TO having the scandal con
sdered but that Mrs Moulton would insist upon in
certain WAY First she will desire the question Of the
right TO drop her name decided and second she will
probably wish the business OF her reasons for absence
from church considered also In this second part OF the
question, Mrs. MouOn will be able to introduce the
merits of the late trial. But this sentleyan said he
thought Plymouth Church would object TO this, and in
that way the mutual council would fall to the ground.
A. 10 the powers and jurisdiction Of the council he said
they were in primary sense only advisory but were
virtually final, It's opinion will govern Congregational
sentiment throughout the country; and If Plymouth
Church should refuse abide by IT, il Will become de
oe0 an independent church In the latter event, ii will
be in the power of the council to give Mrs. Mouton
letter Of dismissal and Of recommendation She as well as
Plymouth Church, could then call an &c p0re COUNSEL If
desired.
Thomas G. Sherman told the reporter that the scandal
would be introduced according as the letter-nlssYe
should direct. He thought the public was very tired of
the subject and was anxious that it be kept out Of pub
Hcy hereafter But. 50 far he himself concerned
and so far knew the sentiment OF The church. there
was a feeling of Indifference on the subject The council
l. an advisory body and il may give Mrs Mouon let
ter OF dismissal if the church refuses to accept its advice
In case Mrs Moulton Objects to its decision, hr shear
man said he hardly knew what effect il would have.
Tie Rev Henry NJ scudder. ID. d. said he had not been
in the Congregational denomination very long, aud did
not feel like saying much the question; but he was
unable to understand how the scandal could be brought
up in any ecclesiastical body The Rev. C. H. Evcfes
OF the Church Of the Purtans in Brooklyn, said be failed
to how the council could touch Mr. Beccher on the
scandal question, as it was question OF discipline which
rested entirely between Mrs. Moulton and Plymouth
Church lie knew OF way in which the guilt or nno
OF the pastor could be legally or properly taken
into consideration in the council. Roger \. Pryor,
counsel to Mrs Moulton said Saturday that he had
his client since answer 10 her letter had been
made and he unwilling 10 say anything III relation
to tie subject until he had TALKED with her ,,-...
Charles NJ Morton lay pastor or tue Bethel OF Plymouth
Church who was member OF the committee oi Daacons
cRhrges made by william F. west said he was heartily
glad the church had taken the action OF Friday night
And, far he bad conyersed with members or tue
church. the prevailing sentiment appeared TO lie that
they were now pursuing the right course They were an
very glad that the OF Mr. West was to be reconsd
cred and the sentiment seemed TO prevail that the
church may have been In haste on some occasions,
especially in the West case. They also seemed wiling
spected but they regarded It remarkable that she
she should wish to stay when she has forfeited
tho fellowship Of the church, when She has
severed her connection with II. and when out
OF $500 members there not score who
have any sympathy with her whatever. Mr.. Morton
thou ght the church would accept the decision OF
the council na and that there likelihood that
further dispute would arise in the matter lie thought
tlat il the council should decide that the church did
wrong In dropping hef name, II would restore her 10
membership. Mr.. Beecher has been very much con
cerned the trouble which has resulted from this
event aud has been very anxious that steps should be
taken 10 put an cnd 10 II.
From another source IL learned that the
answer to Mrs. MouitOn drawn up by Mr..
Shearmau was then revised by Hr Beechcr. submitted
To tho Examining Committee and nually adopted
by the church IN meeting. Mr. Morton
slated that Mr.. Beccher, in reading tine document last
Friday evening usnifested great deal Of feeling, and
bis confidence n the result Of the councils deliberations
seemed bc great Mr. Morton added that II had
required large degree OF thc part OF the
church take tbis action Personally he felt thnt II the
church had shown the amount Of courage when a
mutual council asked or in 1871 the scandal would
have stWn.ied AT its birth The church." he
tinIed suffered almost much from The mistakes
OF It's friends from the darts OF s enemies Ny conf
dence IN Mr.. Beechcr never great 80 to-day"