New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-28
THE BROOKLYN SCANDAL.
A LETTER FROM DIR. LEONARD BACON.

WHY HE PREACHED IN PLYMOUTH CHUkCH-FAH.
Ui.E OF MFssRs. TIISoN AND MoULTos TO PROVE
IrR. BEECHEG's GuILT-1HE PRESUMPTION o.
HIS INNOCENCE UNniPAIRED-wHAr WILL BIZ
DONE ABOUT HENRY C. BowEN's CHARGES.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: am not always sensitive to what the
newspapers say about me, but what friend says,
whether privately OF through newspaper Is another
thing. In recent issue Of The Sce York S sent to
with black lines drawn around various references Ia lie
Brooklyn Affair." recognize. appended to commanca
ton concerning myself the initials OF al old and valued
TREND and have TO believe that they truly indL
cate tho writer Icgrettng that he did find Soma
other medium through which to address the public On
my supposed delinquency. beg space In columns
for areply. My friend says:
was greatly surprised that DR. Leonard Bacon should
have preached for Mr.. BE 6her. DIR. Bacon IL Presi
dent OF a theological seminary. Are We to expect that
Bccchcrs theology or want Of theology. to be taught
Divine to ssnd his TO NEW To-
taught system Of negatons, Beecber manhood or as
men viii be saved especially the wicked when they do
What motive have laymen who do believe the oitlo
sm Mr. ~ Bacr has been preachns for % years past.
Dr. can't compromise this question he often
docs others.
To this reply
l. have not preached for Mr.. Beecher at his n-
vitaion preached In the Piynouth Church Sunday
evening Juno 49, at the invitation Of Mr. Halliday whom
regarded representing tho church. Mr. BECKER being
at that time relieved from responsibility for the Sunday
| evening service.
9. when received the invitation remembered, first
that II Is my vocation 10 preach the Gospel wherever
find congregation hear and that no rrenchc,
be reasonably considered vouchDg for tho relL
Ous seuadness OF those to whom hs breaches
sonal sermon When the Apostle Paul preached Mau
E lie did thereby vouch fol the orthodoxy Of the
Lpcurcans and stolcs who his hearers. rcmem-
bercd also that from the date OF the Brooklyn Council
ti,e had ppn
with my expressed opinions about their dealing with Mr.
TiltOn and about the whole policy of silence " and
could not but regard the invitation testimony dat
they had fallen In with my OF thinking and that they
would not again drop without church member
who puts into circulation, macously repeats. dis
graceful charges against their pastor. found afterward
that had not misunderstood tho meaning of tho invita-
ton
g. wish IL to be understood that thorgh did not
preach TOR Mr.. Beecher, am willing to do so II be IL
willing 10 invite just am willing to preach At any
bodys Invitation wherever am koly 10 have "a respect
fui and attentive hearing Should DR.. Bellows, or Dr.
Chaplin, the err0to slr. Frofhngham offer me
pulpit and audience, why should not accept tho
olfcrl The man who ip0ites me 10 preach IN his stead
makes himself IA sort responsible for my preaching,
but he does not make responsible for his. hayes
frenG-a jealous hut broad-mndcd COngregationast-
who gave thousands OF dollars 10 tue building OF
Roman Catholic cathedral and did think that HE
Professionalism his Evangelical faith compromised
by the gift And il l. at the invitation Of Archbishop
McClOskey should preach the gospel Of Christ IN the
New-York Cathedral ought to bc considered vouch
ing for the Pope and the Vatican Councils Paul preached
in synagogues wherever the rulers of the synagogue n
yitcd to speak but he did not in doing go to
the concsion." Why then should refuse to preach In
the Hebrew Temple the Fiftlavc., If were invited
to do by those who preside that great congrcgs
tonl
T. Perhaps It may Ovorcritical but modesy ro-
qurc to say that not thc President of theo-
logical seminary" Though ON of the " Fellows"
ia the corporation OF Yale College, am only "ec-
turer" and not even professor in the Faculty Of The
OlOgy The alarming question Are we to expect that
Bcechcrs theology want OF Theology, 10 70 be taught
| at w-Iaven ~ may be answered with percmptory
"No, not 10 expect any such thing" The the
ology taught to be taught at Nowayen IL just the
theology of Jesus Christ and his Apostles, exactly as
the learned and keensightod professors of whom
ascertain by faithful and revcent study
of the Scriptures. Consequently II is not system OF
ncgations," OF " Beecher manhood" or "wan OF
true manhood" and certainly 1t is not nor do admit
that Mr. Beechcrs Isl that all will be saved, es
pecially the wicked. when they die"
o. "Laymen who believe the orthodox orcci have 10
motive to give money to support what my friend calls
Z" the wishy wGshy stuff which Mr.. Eeecher has been
preaching" Nor am aware that they invited 10 do
at the annual renting Of seats in Plymouth
| Church.
| 4" theology or want OF theology" answer that. Just
now. the question before the public IL net about nr.
Bcecher's theology but about his personal morality Tho
meinest thing in Mr Beacs argument IL the Jury WIS
his attempt influence their verdict by throwing Tho
Plymouth pulps theology or want OF theology into the
scale as a make weight While have my own opinion
about the wisdom and the tendency % attempting to pre-
sent Christ ard his salvation In Of phrcnoOgy.
should make myself partaker In what regard other
mems sins, IT, at this crisis, when BrOOkyI-not to say
the whole counryis becoming divided into parties for
and against Mr. Beechcr, should begin attack on
what seem defects his theology. rhis is not tho
time for s.ch criticism II ne abreast of MI Tlton
Mr. MOultOn Ghyancod thinker" the question
of his personal morality ought TO be determined by pcs
Yo testimony and hot by presumption or inference from
his opinions. offer compromise but, the other
hand do moi intend to he comprousCdagainst my own
Judgment and Will
r Thcc IS one point on which my friend docs not cll
lngc me TO speak but o which. in present crcum-
stances, can hardly De silent Hot partisans ON both
sides will charge me with evading the real issue, do
not ypicy declare what my position is on the specific
question whether Mr. Bcecher Is guilty OF the charge pro-
irrrcd agaiustlin BY the Grm Of Moulton aud Tion
The man who is charged with INFAMOUS ofcnse and
denies the charge may rest his defense upon his character
We accept his denial and wait for proof from the ao
csor. MI Bcceber has denied explicitly aud under oath
charge preferred against him. and having denied IT,
lac has right 10 he regarded as innocent till his gu
proved. Mc,srs. AloutOn and Tton, having slowly
accumulated through period OF three four years
their material of war. and having had tine help of Gen
Reamn Butler in dcyis!ng the plan Of the campIign
made their attempt They had the power Of the State VI
Ncwyork to compel the attendance OF Witnesses aud 10
make them testify. They had professional advocates Of
distinguished ability 20 examine AID crcsscNanne
Witnesses to marshal their evidence. aud Ia argue for
them Their side had the first word of statement 20 the
Jury and the last II is difficult say what advantage