River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-12-02
Plymouth Church -rroubles.
New YORK Telegram, 26th. II

New York Telegram, 26th.li
Alter somewhat sparsely attended
prayer meeting at Plymouth Church to.
night, business meeting was held, at
which a report from the examining com
mittee was read granting the request of
Mrs. Fanny West to be dropped from the
rolls Of the church, A letter from the
lady was read, however. asking delay.
and on motion of Mr.. Beecher the report
was recommitted. Discussion followed
IN the case Of Deacon West, some mem
bcrs expressing the sentiment that the
action of the church therein was hasty,
and letter was read from that gentle
man explaining his reasons for absence
from the church, and says:
The policy OF silence regard as inconsis-
tent with the purity OF the ministry, OF the
honor Of The church, and | cannot conscien
tiously consent 20 attend the services and sac
raments OF the church until searching and
impartial investigation OF the charges against
the character OF the pastor shall he made by
properly constituted council. Meanwhile |
protest against the dropping of my name from
the roll without my consent | hoped that
after the receipt OF my card You would at once
call a special meeting Of the church, and en-
deavOr as far as possible to make amends for
the injury which you had done me, but as
SOME three weeks have now elapsed,
and have received no communication what
ever from you, not even notification OF the
dropping OF my name, now request you to
unite with me in callinga mutual council to
consider the action taken in my ,ase, and to
decide whe her the dropping OF my name
under the circumstances was just and IN ae-
cordance with the policy OF Congregational
churches. hope You will unite with me in
calling mutual council, but in case do not
near from YOU soon in answer 70 this request,
| hereby give notice that shall call an ex
parte council in accordance with the usages OF
the denomination, To- vindiCate my rights as a
member Of the church Of Christ.
Yours respectfully,
WILLIAM +. WEST
After the reading of the letter the
question Of reconsideration Of the action
Of the church in dropping Mr.. Vests
name from the rolls was put to vote, and
carried. On motion the letter of Deacon
West was referred to the committee.
REPLY TO MRS. MoULToN.
Mr.. Beecher then stood up and said he
| had a reply to Mrs. Emma G.. Moulton' S
letter of Nov. 18th, which, although it
might be somewhat indicate for him to
do so, he had determined TO read, lie
then read the following reply in loud,
clear voice, slowly at first, but soon so
rapidly that the stenographers were
almost unable to write it. The letter
says:
Mrs. Moulton's request for the calling of a
| mutual council, TO advise upon matters at issue
between heaselfand the church, has been duly
considered. II then sums up the case against
her, namely, that in her own admission she
has NOT partsken of the Lords Supper in any
church since 1870; not attended Plymouth
Church since June, 1874; and never any other
The church, IT say, would regard her assigned
reason, the belief that the pastor is guilty Of
crime, an abundant Justification for a CT argt
made in the usual way against him, and de-
handing investigation, OF for asking for q
letter OF disInission, but the church
| should not have regarded it justitica-
ton for total absence from religious wor-
ship and entire disuse from the Christian Or
/ dinances. Mrs. Moulton did not ask delay OF
a trial OF a letter of dlsmission The letter
continues: "YOu complain that you were not
arfaigned for any unjust accusations against
the pastor In this We suppose you refer to
those contained in the statement made in
| your own defense before the church but the
church was and still is of the opinion tina,
| your accusations against the pastor, even il
| true, would have constituted no defense Ion
|
/ TO lie unjust and untrue, but it could not in
| terrupt the orderly course OF proceedings I'M
/ der which your past conduct was the subject
Il investigation in order to put you on trial ior
offences committed in the very midst OF this
| Investigation. fsuch a course was pursued
trial would never end. But ii you complain
/ because you were not aTraigned because oil
your previous public testimony concerD-
ing the pastor of the church, the answer is
simple. SO tar either the church or the com.
mittee knew you had never made any state
| ment impugning the purity of our pastor,
except while Won were estifying as q witness
in = court OF justice, and as we mere bound &c
assume, under compulsory process, the com
mittee did not think they would be justified
in calling you to account before the church iol
the mtruths OF your language in court and
in case which might again come to trial
with you again AZ pearing as a witness. Fol-
the truth or falsity ot the statements theT
made the church iet, and still feels, bound Il
leave you To answer 10 other tribunals ANY
other course would have subjected us TO the
nputatlon of attempting 20 pallate witness
aud might have been considered a contemI
OF court, and 10 action has been taken il
your case upon the basis OF your testimony
except as to that portion of it relating to YOU
abandonment Of the church, which was as
sumed to he true. II Is not necessary to tel
you that we have not the slightest belief il
| th1 tiuAit W NbhI lIFrtut eltiFHitHls tb0ttTU
ing our pastor. We had investigated these
matters before and after an examination last
ing Tor two months in the church and for sil
months in the courts, and we had come 10
conclusion upon the subject. II we had re-
We've. that investigation, even at your in.
stance, there would have beef. more bitter
complaint OF our incincerity in assuming Il
try over again a case upon which we had al
ready pronounced judgment. than there car
possibly he of the course which we have al
ready adopted" The letter concludes. ''You
thereupon, request us TO Join you in calling
council 20 advise upon questions which you
never submitted to us. Nevertheless, since
we are AT all times willing to listen to the alt
vice of our brethren, and ready to correct any
errors into which we may have even uncon.
sclously fallen, we accept your PROPOSE.
ton for the call OF
mutual council of churches, and
viii listen to their fraternal advise upon tn,
six grounds OF complaint referred to in YOU
letter OF November, namely: First, whether
you had or were entitled TO proper trial
second, whether you ought TO have been ar
raigned Tor unjust charges against the pastor
OF this church; third. whether we had q right
IN view OF your confessed and proposed b.
-ence from the communion Of any church io
five years 20 drop your name under a Ion,
established rule; fourth, whether the excuse.
alleged hv you justified your course or prc
4 Al Nl..a h ~.