The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-01
Plymouth Church Troubles.
New York Telegram. 26th.l


After a somewhat sparsely attended
prayer meeting at Plymouth Church to-
night, business meeting was held, at
which report from the examining COM
mlttee 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 MIR. Becchcr the repor,
was recommitted. Discussion folio - ed
in the case Of Deacon West, some men,
bers expressing the sentiment that the
action of the church therein was hasty,
and a 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 he church, and cannot conscien-
tlouSiy consent to attend the services and ) &C.
raments OF the church until q searching and
impartial Investigation OF the charges against
the character OF the pastor ball he mad' by a
properly constituted council. Meanwhile |
protest against the dropping of my name f, om
the roll without my consent l hoped that
after the receipt OF my card you would at once
cali special meeting OF the church, and en-
desyvr ~ far as possible to make amend, 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, low request you to
unite with me in calling mutual council to
| GohS1oe' the actlon taken III my Ease, and to
decide whe her the dropping o: my name
under thu circumstances was Just aud in ac-
cordance with the policy ot Congregational
! churches. hoLe you will unite with me in
calling a mutual council, but in c,.<e do nut
hear from you soon i'll answer to this request,
| hereby give notice tina: | shall call an ex
| parte council i'll accordance with the usag-s OF
the denomination, to vindcate my rights as a
| member Of the church OF Christ
Yours respectfully,
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 mott m the letter of Deacon
West was referred to the committee.
REPLY TO MRS. MoULToN.
Mr.. Beecher then stood up and said he
had reply to Mrs. Emma e. Moulton
letter Of Nov. llth, which, although i,
might be somewhat indicate for him to
d. SO, he had determined to read Lie
then read the following reply in a loud.
clear voice, slowly at first, but soon SO
rapidly that the stenographcrs were
almost unable to write it. The lette,
says:
Mrs. Moulton's request for the calling of
| mutual council, to ADVISE upon matters ut issue
between hea=elfand the church, has been duly
! considered. 1t then sums up the case against
her, namely. that in her own admission Sh+-
has no partaken OF the Lords Supper in any
church SINCE 1870; not attended Plynoull,
Church since June, 1874; and lever any other
The church, 1t sa.t, would regard her assigned
| reason, the belief that the pastor IS guilty o.
crime, al abundant justification tor 4 c..arse
| n.adt IN the usual way against him, and de-
| manding investigation, or for asking tor !,
letter OF dsmisson, hut the cnurch
s!r'ul not have regarded it jllstilir.-
ton for total ab>euce from religious wor
ship and entire disuse from the Christian Or
| dinanceS. Mrs. MoulIon did not ask delay .,
trial or letter Of dslnssiou The letter
continues: ''lou complain that you were not
| ar alSn- tor any I'LL Just accusations AGAINST
| the pastor In this We suppo you ret~r t.
! those contained in the statement u4a,te in
your own defense he'o'e the church: but the
church was and still Is of the opinion tlla
your accusations against the pastor, even II
true, would have CON tituted no DEFENSE tor
your past conduct. 1t Certainly believed them
| to I've unjust and untrue, bur It could not H.
te'rupt the order ~ Course OF pr cetdillgs u''-
der which your p rst conduct was the sur'et;
inv stiyation III order IT, put wa on tr.. lr
| offences committed III the very midst OF this
Investigation. If such course was pursued,
| tri i would never end. But i yod complain
because you were not arrngned because OF
your. previous public testimony '"ace'D
ing the pastor of the church, the answer is
| simple. So tar either the church or the c,m
mitlee knew you had never ,na''e any STATE
ment, i,npngning the putty of our pastor,
except while You were tes 'tying ~ a wiz hes
in court ct justice, and ss we We're bound to
mit,er did not think they won d te justifi d
in calling you to account before the church tor
tle un,ruths OF your language in court, and
in case which might again oone to trial,
with you asain Ar pearng as witness. For
the truth or alSity the statements ti,en
; made thu church felt, and still ferl-, bound to