The New York herald., 1875-12-02
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

THE SCANDAL REFUSES TO BE sILENcED.
No immediate prospect exists that the Brooklyn
scandal viii allow its ndecency to be withdrawn from
public attention. Mrs. Moulton's letter demanding
council OF churches upon the action Of Plymouth
church in dropping her from It's list of members
after her voluntary absence from the church SER
vices for 0ve years. and after giving her
hearing, assisted by legal counsel, met with
pected assent from the church and its pastor Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher. Their answer, acceding to the
call for a council, served upon Mrs Moulton on
Monday last She has not yet replied. Mr.. Beechcrs
friends say they the least fear the action OF
the council If IL should undertake sf the question
of the PASTORS relations the Tilton family. They
wish, for the sake Of public morality that only the
subject of Congregational usage in reference to Mrs
Moultons excision shall be considered by
the council, but II Mrs. Moulton insists ON
giving the inquiry wider scope they confident that
il will result in the advantage Of the Ply mouth
preacher. Last night IL stated that Mrs Moulton
writing her reply, which will probably before
the church tomorrow evening Members OF the church
contradict the recent statements of Captain G Dun
reference to his appearance before the Examin
ing Committee of the church TO give the for
his prolonged absence from tho church services
Mr. william F. West who was dropped from mem
bership and whose case since been reconsidered
had interview yesterday with the committee Later
in day he addressed the church large the fol-
lowing letter, in which he insists upon a council Of
churches specially consider the and adudi
cate upon the guilt or innocence OF Mr.. Bcecher;-
MR.. Wrists LETTER.
NEw York, Dec /, 1876.
To THE MEMBERS OF PLYMOUTH cHuRoH, Brooklyn,
N Y.
DEAR BRErHRRN-T thank you for your promptness
and unanmity in reconsiderng the vote by which my
dropped from the roll Of the church.
AT tho request Of the Examining Committee l ap-
peared before them this morning and stated the
for my absence from the church. While they gave
advice IN the technical sense Of that word,
derstood from them that they thought il to be my
duty either TO withdraw from the church or in
the future, TO attend its services. / do
not see that can honestly and conscicntously take
should make any further communication directly TO
the church, | will now state to you wherein differ
from the expressed by the committee aud pro-
pose plan by which think all difficulties that
between us may be settled. In the hrst place be.
lieve that am right In the request which have made
complete ana regular investigation OF the scandal
which has 50 long troubled the peace OF church;
aud believe, moreover, that 1t is still my
duty a member Of the church 10 obtain
any fair and honorable means Therefore, cannot
consent to voluntarily my connection with the
church while way Is still open for the performance OF
this duty As regards my attendance at the services
and sacramonts OF the church. can onIv rcpeat what
stated IN my former letter to you, that cannot
scentiousy attend them until regular and impartial
investigation Of the charges against the character OF the
pastor shall be made by properly constituted council
Such investigation at the present time s especially
imperative, because church is not unanimous in It's
belief In the innocence of our pastor, and
this feeling OF doubt and apprehension ls shared
by thousands OF Christian men and women
throughout the land Therefore inasmuch az charges
Of adultery and perjury have been made against
pastor, and as, In my opinion regular investigation
Is necessary for the vndcaton OF the innocent aud for
the Of the peace and purity Of the church.
hereby request you to unite with IN calling mu-
tual council, TO which shall be submitted the following
questions:-
FSrst-Is the Rev. Henry Ward Beccher guilty Of
adultery
SecoHd-ls the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher guilty Of
perjuryY
make this proposition with the hope that Il may be
tho means OF vndicatnR the character OF pastor