New-York tribune., 1875-12-02
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
THE WEST AND MOULTON CASES.


Mr.. WEST APPEARS BEFORE THE EXAMINING COM
MiITEE-HARMONY IN THE MEETING WITHOUT
CONCLUSIVE REsJIT-AN UNEXPECTED LETTER
FROM MR wEsr-nE DEMANDS THAT MR.
BEECHEE's INNOCENCE OR GUItr SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED ny A CoUNCII.-wHAT MRS. MouL-
TON PROPOSES TO DO.
At business meeting of Plymouth Church on
Friday letter was received from William +. West,
whose name had been dropped from the roll of tho
church. Mr. West stated in the letter that the
notice which he had received of the proposed
action of the Examining Committee i'll re-
gard to himself came at a time when pre-
vious engagements prevented his appearing be-
fore the Committee. and he had asked a postpone
ment of Their action for one week. No postpone
ment was made. and be published card which he
hoped would lead to special meeting of the church
to consider his case but rs 10 special meeting had
been held, he gave notice that unless
the church united with him in calling
council, he would "call an er pdrte council,
in accordance with the usages of the denomination
to vindicae his rights as member of the Church OF
Christ" As there had been misunderstanding in
the matter, and the church accepted MIR. Vests
sincerity in his statement regarding its action,
recOnsidered its action regarding him, and voted
him the hearing which he desired. Yesterday the
Examining Committee met and Mr.. West appeared
before it and presented his case. The meeting was
harmonious and the business before it discussed
in a conversational manner. No result was
reached. None of the members Of the Committee
expressed any opinion regarding what should be
done in the matter, and Mr. West was prom
ised a further hearing whenever he might
desire it. 1t is stated by one of the
Committee that Mr.. West, far as could be judged
from his action before the Committee. seemed per
fectly satisfied with the course taken, and gave no
hint that he would seek to hasten decision by any
method other than that already in progress. In the
evening, he sent the following letter to the morning
papers:
To The Members of Plymouth Church, BrooElyq. v. Y
DEAR BRETHREN / thank you for your promptncss
and unanimty in rcconsderng the vote by when my
dropped from the roll OF the church. Al the
request OF the Examining Committee, appeared before
them This morning and stated the reasons or my absence
from the church. While they gave me no advce III
the technical sense OF that word, understood
duty either 10 withdraw from Inc church. or in the
future. to attend its services do not see that can
honestly and cOnscen,i0uy take either course and as
said TO Tie Committee that should make any further
communication directly to the church, will now state 10
yOu wherein differ from the views expressed ny the
Committee and propose plan by which think all difi-
cultics that exist between us may be settled:
quest which have made for complete ana regular IN
vestgaon OF the scandal which has so long
still my duty as a member OF the church 10 0p-
by nny rair and honorable means Therefore cannot
consent 20 voluntarily sever my connection with the
church while way Is sti open for the performance of
tins duty regards my attendance at the services and
sacrancnts OF tie clttch, can on} leitat Whdl
stated I'm my former letter TO You, that cannot consc
entiousy attend them until regular and impartial IN
vest CATION of the charges against the character OF The
such an investigation at the present tiue especially
imperative because church is not unanmous III its
belief in the innocence of our pastor. and this feeling OF
doubt and apprehension is shared by thousands OF Chris
ian men and women throughout the land
Therefore, inasmuCh 3s charges OF adultery ana per
Jury have been made against our pastor, ana az III my
opinion regular investigation Is necessary roy the V-
ii, alton of the innocent ana for the preservation Of the
pcace and purify the church hereby request you t.
unite with me in calling mutual council TO "hlch sDl
bc submitted the following questions; ,,..,
l. Is The Rev Henry Waid Ieeehrr guilty OF adultery
make this proposition with the hope that Y may be
the means or yudicathg thr character Oi 0uI pastor
more hcMuiy than !. nope lhe ch'rch VIII lltci me
frankly and afectonatcly III tie spirit IN which aI-
proaeh 'hcm' & ana io M une Icct Ti'h 10 me cdnrc IN
which win be able 10 compose the differences
that mhappily exist among us As this lnattoris or
such great mportancc solicit Immediate action ON the
part o tie church and that no Time may DC IOS ue@idS
10 he published the morning pal in order that 1t
may the sooner reach the members ci the ShnrSn' w
Yours fraternally, Nh' r. WEST
Nec York, Dee. l, 1875.
Late last evening a TRIBUNE reporter called on
Thomas G. Shearman, clerk Of Plymouth Church,
and learned from him that the church had not re-
ceiyed Mr. Vests letter, or even heard that such
letter as the one given to the public
had been written. Concerning the probable
result Of the steps taken in Mr. Vests case,
Mr. Shoarman could say nothing. AL the meeting oi
the Examining Committee IN tho morning Mr.. West
had been granted the hearing ho desired and ms
action in appealing to the public was entirely
poctcd The effect this letter might have upon Nj.
West, relations with the church would necessarily
influence the course of the Committee, and all
that had been decided by the business of the morn
ing would probably be unsettled by this letter. Mr.
sAcarmln considered il useless to speak of anything
that had been done by the Committee ii MIR. West
by lhi5 unexpected proceeding had made all previous
action of no avail.
MRS. MoUIToN'~ POSITION.
At the last business meeting of Plymouth Church
il was resolved to acccde to Mrs. Mou'ons request
for a mutual council, and letter was addressed 10
her reviewing the reasons for the action of the
church in dropping her name from the rolls, and
stating tie different points al issue which, in the
opinion Of the church, should be decided 10y the
council. Mrs. Moulton claims that. according TO
Congregational usage, she can accept the PROPOSE
t0us and then name the churches which she dosircs
to participate in the council while Plymouth Church
can sci ct an equal number of churches. She de
claIc. however that if she should refuse to accept
the propositions Of the church at variance with
her views of what is at issue, then
sIe is at liberty to make other PROPOSE
tions to be considered by the council
which may be accepted or rejected by Plymouth
Church as supplementary considerations. If they
cannot agree upon the points 10 be discussed, thon
Mrs. Moulton can drop the whole matter or call an
IN pa,{c council. She said last evening that she was
engaged upon a reply to The letter of Plymouth
Church which would probably be ready to-day, and
be sent 10 the clerk Of that body in time TO be read
at the meeting tomorrow night Shc did not state
what lis character would be but it is understood
tbot .bo will mot nccppt all the ryOp1sitiOns of