Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-21

this church in the purity and integrity of its lead
er. Would man hide from his physician plague
spot if he had one Would a man hide from his
DIV sicisn a deadly disease, if he had one! No one
has so much interest in ripping up ana opening
the secret as the members of this church
But after all, men say am unwilling TO be
tried If you will find a tribunal better than q
civil court to Judge evidence and silt H. 10 Try me
again, whoever else may oppose 1t, 1 shanti AP-
plause.f But when men, who are my avowed enc
mies-men who have always peen opposed 70 ,lis
chnrch--suggest another trial, am asked to put
matter. which his four large octave volumes, be-
fore Council which will sit for only three days !;
to bring before them this obscene mass oil wlckeu-
ness and 90 ask ministers who assemble on lues-
dav and must 60 home before Sunday to consider
it, is the absurdity of impertinence. And say TO
you, and say to the world, that am not AFRAID
to be tried by men who have time, who have WIS
dom, and who will be governed by reason ana not
by caprice. lApplause.l They cannot compass
the mass of matter which must come up III .nls
trial The conduct of this church is not evasive.
ANY legitimate tribunal with approved and regn-
lar methods, | am willing to face, as shall be
willing to face the greater tribunal when my God
shall sit as my judge. will not sit before jury
of foxes and wolves. tGreat applausel II, there
fore this Council shall come and make inquiries
into the history OF the church, and shall advise us
to investigate it again, say do it. Or II they ad-
wise not to, or if they don't think they fought to
say anything about, it, submit to that too.
Loud applause.
During the delivery Of this speech Mr.. Beecher
stood beside the platform where he had been sitting
since the business session began. His manner oil
delivery was entirely different from his usual
method of speaking. His voice was hard and
sharp, his words were rapidly spoken, and his gcs-
lures were quick and iorcbe. al times, espccial-
" when with deep, decisive tone of voice he ex.
claimed 81 will not sit before jury OF foxes ana
wolves" his eyes flashed, and there was fiery
earnestness in his manner which aroused the deep
est feeling in his hearers, and they eheered nm
to the echo. The general effect OF the speech
upon the audience was remarkable. Persons VINO
were evidently members of the church, and warm
supporters of their pastor listened.w with triumph
ant smiles, which sometimes became suppressed
laughter, caused ievidenly not so much by witty
things said as by the sympathetic feeling OF trl-
umph in the decisive and eloquent WORDS % me
| speaker.
| Mr.. Beecher then moved that the committee
have discretionary power to complete the ron OIL
churches, and invite such as might seem tit to
them to engage in the council. This was ordered.
After the letter Eissiye was disposed OF MI.
Shearman suddenly, in his quiet nervous way,
stepped to the front OF the platform, and, to the
ev dent surprise of many persons in the audience,
offered his resignation as clerk OF the church;
lie said the duties of clerk were burdensome and
a drawback TO his business. lie had borne them
two years and he could not bear them any longer
Thomas j. Tilney was then elected clerk by &C
clamation. At the suggestion Of Mr.. Beecher,
Mr.. Shearman was elected member of the TX
aiming Committee in the place of Mr.. TIlney.
Augustus Storrs was also chosen to fill the vacan-
cy cansed by the expiration Of the term OF Mr..
Chiitensen as member of that committee.
Mr.. Beecher then said that the duties OF the
clerk were very laborious, and if things went on
as they had for several years, the man who filled
that office would have to be expert in ecclesias-
cal law and common law, and several other things
beside. He, therefore, moved a vote of thanks to
Mr.. Shearman for his great services to the church
Il. II. Raymond said it would be bad prece-
dent to give vote of thanks to man who had
done his duty. Mr.. Sherman and his ability be-
longed to the church, and the church had right
to use them. If vote of thanks were given in
this case, the next incumbent would feel that =
distinction had been made if the action was not
repeated when he left the office.
In reply Mr.. Beecher spoke with great warmth.
This case, be said, differed from any other. 1t
was because Of that he made his motion. 1t
was not customary for officers Of Plymouth Church
to be assailed by the newspaper press Mr.. Shear
man had been. at is" said Mr.. Beecher "be-
cause Mr.. Shearman has suffered obloqny and re
proach TIM we wish to emphasize onr approval of
him. When l iymouth Church is faithfully served
by an honest man she knows it Applause, and we
say to the world, think what you please" we
know when man serves Us faithfully and we viii
recognize it"
Mr. Beechers motion was then carried uni
mousy by rising vote, and Mr.. Shearman briefly
thanked the church for its kindness to him.