New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-17
PLYMOUTH'S NEW STEP.
Continued from First Page.

by letter Of those that look from ho olltaide-t mas
presented to tie world spectacle perhaps never P'i
| leled IN the history ~ n local church.
A church may Stand afflicted a. one part OF national
Epscorai Church Of America. and a Presbyterian
church is ONLY element in the national church But
1t ia not with Congregational churches Each enurch
its own affair aud having above all It's spiritual urisdie-
ton But for the stock and substance Of this church
could never have witlstood the bitterness of those VINO
should have been brothers, but have been m.o,er
enemies [Arplausc when In my remarks at iorner
meeting | SAID that ministerial brother nad never
called on me in sympathy was understood 10 mean mean
that there had sympathy from Christian eopie.
Far from that. The stream Of sympathy has ho"en Ee
the River Jordanbut not like it, into the Dead sg r
| hut into a human heart But thero arr, aie
those from whom most could have Ds cen
the knnckle We have been bslied with fiery Zee. hP
plause Yes belled with fiery ice-a coaness ,h h
| church have been unexamred -,
But we have TO the point whore we see we must
pairn must 90 on Ii is time that took the matter
into our own hands and had something to do with the
that Plymouth Church is reedilr. ] defy any
church to eo%paI . books AMI paaEed commit
tees ministers have managed e affairs OF Their 9nniGne
done by ministerial management to church meas,
the heads Of church members With TINS chnrcn
there never has been step taken but It. ma, mas
meeting. The Church was born in the spirit Oh pylS
CnTist and Know the Cnnrchs history from begin
nlng And when any one says it Is not Congregations
tonal who accuse us. lApplallscl The Advisory
Council means the settlement OF TINS FONT; ~ VIII
be large enough-lappiause 1t WI he heln Son
enough. tApplause. and voice. Good IL WIN , De
held the second Tuesday in January and VIII be com
posed of men who are impartial and VINO can a ,n az
brethren. We VIII open our hearts ana say 10 tncl,
"1ry us; If there he any evll III us. ihee Is
no man who had hc Inc, could not have learned
all he desired in regard to the discipline OF ts cnuen:
decided and any SUGGESTIONS not n'e chgrns T Mil
result from this Council henceiorth any one one
dissatisfied with discipline of the church cannot run
To near harbOr and set up call Tor mutual counel'
Prolonged applause mink ! may say That. after ".
ymouth Church may neglect at least nneesh or
Win these remarks, that the resolutions be
adopted.
Mr. Beecher's manner in his address was especially
impressive. Beginning in low and subdued tone
that was hardly audible in the center of the room,
he rose at times to full strong voice, which heavily
taxed his powers. 1t was deeply in earnest and
every one listened very closely.
BY a unanimous standing vote the resolutions
were then adopted. Mr. Shearman then read the
following letter from William +. West
NEw-YoRK. Dec. 10, 1873.
To he Members Of Plymouth church. Broohiya, y A. -
DEAR BKETHITS: Your action IN passing the lcSolu-
tons which presented to you last trday evening
botn shocked and gi1eved Although from the outset
have the policy Of silence and suppression wa
radically wrong, yet aier my Intellectual a.JIp,
silent for the sake OF peace, until your
unexpected and hasty action in dropping my name from
the roll compelled We to speak IN seltdeiehNe, Altot
ward you letter, frank and KIND IN tone euEees
ing plan by which all our differences could De setra
and king TO Join me IN putting TINS pan INTO or
ton. Without having my letter read before the church.
you passed series OF resolutions winch seemed 70 r ~
10 unjust and inconsistent am, therefore, co"po"9N
make the following reply: hin
First: YOu charge me with insulting You ny puDlsnus
my letter before IL Was presented TO the chuien is
the hrst time that have ever heard that h Stng "
open letter an insult to the body 10 whlch IL Wa
addressed. certainly did intend 1t AZ an insult rs
the reasons gave IT in the letter Itself VIII snow
did not think that you intended TO insult MIS-. h9u,un
when your letter her published some days before
II was delivered her. did not consider 1t an insult
OF SH'" mcisn GS and I received noaca;;
ton n G eIS SS also menfiop in tba connection
tnat deli, cred first letter 10 the CLERK OF hc cht
Willie that letter was IN the hands of the clerk you re
considered your former vote dropping my name NY tt
ter not being presented to you until after such action
had been taken. Could YOU with consistency have re-
ceved me again into membership AFTER having heaIu
that letter, which stated that could MOI conselen,
tOusiy TO attend the services and sramens OF
the church until reguar ana impr ai my nasr
had been made hya properly constliutrd eoenGm, Or
in the second letter wnat had ar9aqy sId'eu y. ta
first think tbaC the Facts which have inentohtu
ar bSu The letter Mas brought before The church it
was not read and Mrs Moultons letter, when hHu U t
second: You state tlal I demanded the calling Of
the church, before any OF lts committees aua De
manded that the council be called Ia investigate cnaFes
the first place been submitted to The chulchi ann you
aiterward srgnatized Ills action as bsg SO t ain
violation OF Congregational usage ANA Christian uecehy
S & a r,est II Won had referred TO 10Y letter you
would have at chat made no demand ior tue
Won I'D nerfect right to refuse that request bu that
refusal ghi have been conrcouSy ana Wthoul
the accompaniment OF such luSnuatiVliS ~ mrIr w
pressed by Won As regards the statement that have
made charges against the pastor, that statement
but is il not night for me- when charges nave ptC
made by others, and have become matter oil common
fame, ASK yOa 10 unite with Iie III calling co'e 10
investigate themi IS you say that TINS course Is pion
violation OF Congregational usage and Christian
refer you 10 page 81 O the Congregational Iaor
OF 1862 where the following language Is USED WIZ -
pastor charged with Oensos which would RENTER IL
proper that he be deposed from the ministry theh ts
churcn should invite council TO examine Tue & in
cannot conceive tha have eoinnlteu m noi,,
asking the church TO do what our ecclesasteal pony
requires TO do; but II have msinterpreted my
rlghts and duties IA tls respect, II y lon VIZ. W 80 -
nation. end when more orderly course OF PROCEDURE
made known 10 me ] viii gladly follow H. lou aiso
blame me ior not submitting this matter TO the church
before requesting the calling OF council But do You
ouesijon involved in these charges invest gated BY
this church twelve months ago. and a. the result oi
pronounced by a unanimous vote Of The church 10 be
false and na!cous Does rot the fact That on nave
already given verdict OF scqntal constitute SUI
fccnt reason for not instntng ne" investigation DC
think that have now covered Ill the points with re-
gard 10 which you desired an explanation, and trust
haf before proceeding further this matter you will re-
ceve and consider the communication ! pray that God
will guide you 10 take such action rs sall MAINTAIN TIC
discipline of the church and the honor OF Iellelon
You're respectfully, WILLIAM r. WEI
When Mr. Shearman read the words shocked and
prieved me-, there was considerable laughter which
the Moderator soon hushed. When the read
ing of the letter was finished it was moved
that il be referred to the Examining Committee
Much discussion followed. Ii was opened by mo-
ton from Horatio {. King that Mr. West
he expelled from the church. Mr.. King said
It was time that this should be done; tie church
was ont of all patience with Mr.. West. Mr.. McCabc
and Mr.. Beechcr urged that he should
have fair play and that the case should be
referred to the Examining Committee. A vote was
taken and il was decided to refer the
60 ,ba Committ,c IL Was then resolved that