The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-29

Mr. II ecchcr Ag lin Changes Front.
mo ,dgh Mr.. BEECnER on MONDAY even
llg nicd TO ridiculc the protest Of the Con
< .ogational ministers against his advisory
council, yet he could not fly in the face of
I IT. Tho argument of that protest was ire
sistiblc. 70 avoid or anticipate the action
of the mutual council, he had artfully de-
viscd the plan of an cT-pdrtC council, To
sit in advance of the former, and Tructi-
cally dictate to ii its liue of conduct. Tho
trick failed, however, for not only did We
see through 4, but the leading authorities
on Conversational practice also detected
the device.
Even if Mr.. BEECuER had been able to get
together on the 18th of January an CT pdrtc
council composed of men who would havo
personally been influential in the dcnomi-
nation and with the public, yet their nc
ton would have had no weight with either.
We fancy, however, that he could not get
such men TO como forward with the so
manifest purpose of changing the issue
and bcfogging the simple ease. Even
though friendly to Mr. BEECuER, men like
not safely allow Themselves TO be SO used.
MIR. BErcuEa adopted the policy Of us
sault on Monday evening. lIe said that he
knew very well that MIS-. MouLroN vas
only used us an occasion by people who
stood behind her aud who were deter
mined 10 force the issue These ministers
he had the impudcnce to call "unscrupu-
lous," aud said that they were watching
vigilantly 10 see Plymouth Church trip or
fail. II Mrs. MoUIroN has ministerial adj
visers who have instructed her rs to her
proper course Of action, they are the most
eminent and respected men in the Congrc
gationnl denomination, ministers who see
aud dcplorc the consequences upon their
brotherhood of the course pursued Ivy
Plymouth Church under the wary lead of
its pastor and the tricky Brother
SHEARMAN. II these pastors have adj
viscd Mrs. MOUlroH. they have done
no more than their duty. Not less import
ant TO the whole Congregational COM
munion than to this lady, who is a single
aggrcved member, is the rghting or her
case. liza Congregational church may I'M
questioned drop Il member without trial
and against her protest for staying away
from IL, services, when she gives MS her
reason that the pastor is mn aiulterer and
periurer, and refuse either 20 try the
pastor or TO give her an opportunity TO
Vndicate her neglect to attend on lis mh-
istrations, then the whole body suffers
from the T proaCh OF such unjust and un-
christian conduct. If, however, the de-
nomination can in any wise interfere in
the case, 1t IS its duty TO do so, and on
proof of the facts to withdraw it, fellow
snip from the delinquent church until the
wrong and scandal are ughted and re-
moved.
When one remembers that Mr.. BEECHrR
is accused 10y his church members OF the
Gravest OF crimes which can be brought
against Il Christian minister, II il the height
OF effrontory for him TO stand up and try to
cast public rcpVoach on his CONGREGATIONAL
brethren ot unsulled character. Let him
first clear his blackoucd reputation bcfor,
lac undertakes to throw mud at other peo-
pie.
lie consents to the mutual council
20 which shan DC referred the general
questions Of Mrs. MouLToN, whether til,
church had valid aud sufficient reasons
FOR dropping her, or whether she had
good reasons for staying away from th,
miui-irdtou, ot the pastor. These qu,.-
ton, rightly pursued, viii lead 90 tie inc
We i.sntiun Of the bottom facts OF Ia,
scandal; hut Nj. Ber,UrG's carefully COM
s'dcIcd adlrcs. on Monday evening show.
that ms tactic, Will To- 10 keep the Discus
sions of tine council far away from the tlu,
issue, ana couine them to questions of
| Congregational order and practice.
"This church wants liberty to 20 on W III
its spiritual work, aud that ibertyit mean,
! to have" says Mr.. BEECnER. That liberty
means license TO keep AN ndultcrer and q
perjurcr in It's pulpit. II IT will enjoy III,
license, let il be outside the Christian pale