New-York tribune., 1875-11-27
THE PROCEEDINGS.

| ton and 6 " White. Mr.. Beecher presided during
the meeting and cOnversed with both these gentle
| men on the subject while they were on their feet
| ii was announced that meeting for business
| wonld he held after the prayermeetlng ana
nearly all who present remained. The room
was about half full Rossiter W. Raymond was
called TO the chair and after some preliminary bus
ness Assistant Pastor Halliday, on the part OF the
Examining Committee, stated that he had received
letter from Mrs. Fannie E.West asking for letter
of dismissal from the church. Mr. Shearnan said he
had been rcqnested by Mrs West to express her
wish that action in the case be delayed, though
she did not withdraw her application Acton on
the matter was accordingly postponed.
Mr. Edgcrton then said that he had seen MIR. west
that day relative to his published note IN tue
matter of his name having been taken from the
list of members and found him much aggrieved
that he had not been given opportunity to appear
before the church when bis case was decided. MIR.
Edgerton hoped there would he a molten to recon-
sder the ease Mr. Blair, Chairman of the Examln-
ing Committee, said he had voted for the letter OF
dismissal and now moved a reconsideration. The
Rev. Edward Bcecher said he was unaware at lifetime
that Nh West had made any request for delay OF
action until he could be present but he favored a
reconsideration Mr. Sheaf1nan said such a request
had been made and Deacon Hawkins remarked that
he had taken the request before the Board and also
that he was surprised that the Board had passed 1t
over Mr. Shearman said there had evidently been
some misunderstanding in the matter and he was
satisfied that Mr.. West was sincere In his feelings
Mr. Shearman read Mr.. Vests letter, and the motion.
that a reconsideration OF Mr.. Vests ease be taken,
was unanimously adopted. Mr.. Vests letter is as
follows: ~. ,o-z
To the Members Of plymouth Church BROOKLYN, y. T.:
From the Ncwlork papers OF the oth Inst learned
3 tho yaniu trnf NnI1 q
from the roll Of Plymouth Church. From the samo
source also learned that member OF tne LEammng
tha' had made no objection TO the proposed drop,
me in a false position | immediately published card,
stating that had received only few hours notice of the
proposed meeting OF the church had sad to the gentle
men who had called upon me that other ENGAGEMENTS
would prevent my attendance that evening, ana hri
asked him to request the Examining Committee to post
noue ac .on for "a week in order that might have op
portunity ia communicate with niem ana explain the
for my absence from the church tSGS Il scc,,. 70 mo
that they must already he known to YOU You ar. aware
against Mr. eecher from sense OF drty ~ member
OF the church, instituted charges against Mr iicn IOr
| tory to the Christian integrity OF our pastor;
and innfoas to the repnlaoh OF in ,e ,bay had
! ben entertained b. the Examining CommiLtee,
of the great council of 1874, by which thls procedure
silence Which was thus indorsed by you I regard as in
consistent with the pr,ity Of the ministry ana the honor or
attend tine and sacraments OF the church until
regular and impartial investigation Ot the charges
against me character OF the pastor shall be made by
! properly constituted council. Meanwhile protest
against the dropping OF my name from the ron WHOM
| hoped that after the publication of my card You
would At once ca special meeting Of the church and
endeay or as far possible, 10 make amend for tue
injury which you had done But as some iice weeks
ha We now elapsed, and have received no communica-
ton whatever from you not even notification of me
dropping of my nanc, now request You To unite win
| me in calling a mutual council 10 consider the
the dropping Of my name under ihe circumstance was
last ana accordance with the poliy Of the Congrega-
uoua Churches. nope that you will unite with me in
calling mutual council, but in case do not hear from
soon III answer 10 tins request hereny give notice
that shah call d parte council IN accordance WIN
sages of the denomination to vndicatc my rights as
WILLIAM f. WEST.
Mr. Shearman then said he had intended to bring
Mrs Moulton's letter with him, but found he had
not done so While he went TO get the letter Mr..
Beccher gave out hymns, which the entire congrega
ton joined in singing. In "A short time Mr. Shearnan
appeared, and read the letter from the platform.
Mr. Bcccher then arose in the corner, between tie
stage and the rear entrance, and in uniform and
measured tone said that when the letter wac re-
ceived from Mrs. Moulton il seemed important that
action be taken with duectness and promptness.
He at once consulted with members of
the Examining Committee and other broth
ren and requested that a document ~ drawn up
setting forth the case to the world IN its
truth That document had been prepared He
sid it might improper to some Persons that he
should read the paper but the head of the church
there wore reasons why none but himself should
read il 10 the church. Mr.. Bcecher then
sterped Oh the platform and in front of
the chairman and began at once 10 read.
His manner was entirely different from that
which il usual in his relations with
his people. IL was not 10 rapid AZ Is ms ordinary
custom by one-half bis tone was more austerc and
impressive than is his won't, his emphasis fell upon
words rather than upon sentences or passages, and
the slow and deliberate tone Of his voice was en-
tirelv new 10 those who are accustomed 10 his rapid
delivery. Every eye fastened upon him. every
ear was attent to catch each word, and heads
were bent eagerly forward to lose no syllable
When Mr. Beecher read the passage where II IL
stated that the church accedes to call for council
cheers were given in all parts of the audience. The
letter of reply to Mrs. Moulton and of consent to
council is as follows:
MADAM: Your letter requesting the calling mutual
council to advise upon questions supposed tO be al issue
between yourself and this church. has been received aud
mee called IN the month of October 1870 70 me
circumstances or your ease which were sabs'an.aly
taa YOU had prtaken OF tine Lords supper either
in plymouth Church or IN any other ennte, snce s
Church since that time that, when you ala 60 " Was
only favor to other persons and that you had never
that you had never. since 1870, attended any other
church or place of worship; These facts; which
TO the Committee as clear ease OF total
S mot Tfe with fb ali chssS as
II easy to imagine And these fdess remain dsputed
T lion Of the Committee themselves and Of numerous
other members Of the church. confirmed your statement
a 70 yUdr h, gia fro% Jnns is 70 SoVc%beT @
The fact Of your continued absence from this and from