The New York herald., 1875-12-04
he Believes in It and Denounoes
"Pressed-by -gationalism."
A CONTEST FOR CREED'S SAKE.
The Policy of Silence Abandoned by
the Great Preacher"
HE WILL BE NO LONGER MEEK.

meeting plymouth church alter tne
evening services last night had the effect Of drawing
into the lecture room crowd as II had not held
before since the OF the great trial Tho
Beecher family was well represented. DR.. Ed
ward Beecher company with Deacon John T.
Howard occupied a seat upon the platform beside
the pastor while Colonel Henry Beechcr and two or
three enthusiastic young upon the edge Of the
platform. The meeting opened with prayer by
Dr Edward Beecher He prayed for the elevation and
reformation Of mankind in general, and in particular
for that portion OF the resident In Brooklyn. He
prayed that the effect Of the great revival might be felt
IN every individual church for a long time 70 come
MT Levi W Hart prayed briefly, and the pastor gave
out the hymn
on Jorian's stormy banks stand
which sung with heartncss by the entire congre-
CATION and at its conclusion Mr. Beecher delivered his
usual 'talk."
The subject of his discourse the communion Of
saints He repeated substantially the thoughts ex-
pressed in his Sunday sermon two weeks ago
THE NETTING
Immediately on the conclusion of the religious exer
eises in pursuance with the call made by the pastor
last Sunday business meeting organized, with
Brother Edgerton in the chair.
The arst motion made by Brother McKaye and
the effect that all persons present not members
of church should be forced retire 1t opposed
by several brethren and by Mr. Bcechcr hmselfand
finally withdrawn.
Mr. shearman read the minutes Of the previous
meeting which approved He then proposed
amendments TO several of the rules Of the church
They were submitted to the proper committee.
Mr. Shearman then stated that he had received from
Mr. william r. West the letter which has already been
published in the HERALD.
on motion Of Mr. Beeeher the letter was laid on the
table.
The following resolutions were then offered by Brother
s. V. white
TIE RESOLUTIONS
Whereas while Mr.. William T. West member Of this
of this church before Examining Com
mlttee ana after ne had appeared before Suen commit
tionsl absence from public worship and Christian
I'd day of December, 1875 deliver 70 the CLERK Of
this church unite with him the call Of council 70 inSest
S wseres U be d Before are Sp ne Letter
oeeT Of this church and two days before any meeting this
thereof the daily newspapers in the city New YORK aud
S West = III Ills letter MS the . ealing Ii - soHne 70
consider matters which he has never "a "d before , the
the council be called to investigate charges which he alleges
any Of by him for which be has
eS Il s nb " which h does any no. now
sssert bis own belief; and whereas the main
Investigated BY over months the
seon on II q Mr. and as Es result @
his church the prneps charge REFERRED 70 sy M West was
pronounced BY unanimous vote 20 be false and malicious
his period Of, afseen months Nj West has never com
s 20 ION. no S @ E ss
tore this church nor taken steps 70 correct any that the
Resolved That irrespective of the contents Of letters
letters their authors in advance Of their actual pesent
presumpvely Intentional insult and s own seIfrespect
win permit this church consider letters thus ent
q exercising suitable discipline the member
IL That the Of the letter received from MI
West planned by him. constitute in the judgment of
acknowledged offence
Pueshing i advance Of its presentation 70 the church
vestigation into charges against another member which
himself yosch for in any way, is deemed By the
church yolation q groPrey and ceas evasion q Just
shall submitted in the first instance council before
before they Iaye Seen ii sct plain
violation Of Congregational and Christian decency
% excite doubts of the sincerity and good faith OF
iii That tie Examining Committee are hereby
Mr. william r. Vest before them early day,
matters explanation received from
letter 70 advise him % make forthwith fui and ample apOi
e and in q his refusal 70 comply With the advice q
prompt action the good Of the church require In the
The resolutions were greeted with loud applause tn
the midst Of which Mr. Beecher arose All ewes
fixed upon him, in instant the entire assembage
hushed into silence.
Mr.. BEEcHRR's ADDRESS.
Mr.. Beecher said:-I sorry that Plymouth Church
should be the occasion Of So much and excitement
every gentleman who at aIl familiar with the in
terna history Of this church this pub
hcty and excitement have not been of ts
own seeking Ii has not been developed by
us in the church, but has been thrust upon by
adversares standing outside Of the church Applause
We have sought pursue the appropriate work Of church
organization peacefully, NEEDING with other
churches living n peace ana y charity ~th every one
aud that effort IN despite of assaults that are unheafd
al the history Of ordinary churches, by the great
goodness Of cod and BY the special lndgellne q Tie
Spirt-that work we have been enabled 70 pursue
through good report and evil report for the past two
years abatng whit Of our abors nor our means,
abatng nothing IN the attendance IN the sanctuary
other meetings, living Ia growing unity
anpng ourselves, and having the Divine work
OF The conversion OF those Christians 10 pure and
holy life going on within the past two years without
c-Eion. We have endeavored 70 make IN all re-
spec,s so far AZ we knew the mind or the Master,
LOVING AsD HonE-sAvISG CHRisrIAs CHURCH.
and most Of the evils that have been driven forth IKE
flames OF are INTO the newspapers has been brought
upon us / say this because there are some who arc
considered and who are accustomed TO bring y out az
i h was so, that plymouth is always showing her
flag " When Plymouth church s assaulted Ia her very
life she always Will "show her dag
This announcement received with the widest ap-
rlause which manifested BY the stamping Of feet
sapp-Dg Of hands, and, in some cases, BY the waving
Of handkerchiefs.
she seeks no other pubIcitv-none or that merctri.
tousuess she would an forego that whchwe have been
compelled 70 have; but IL not the churchs fault
And think judging with All allowances for the innrm-
lilies Of yet in the flesh, that this church. by It's
appeals, its deliberations, its sermons its mssions
he compactness within, has done more in the
out Of the church than II did 10 any other ten
years IN ts experience wish 70 say, further that n
Ehe administration 0f the affairs Of Christ BY human
hands In this church have sought every ave
nue and We have endeavored % discharge our trusts
sccordng 70 the radical conception which have of
Christian church. We do not believe that
CHURCH A KINGDOM
We believe that IL family. We do beiie-c thar
officers and managers the church have auy rights
over individual members other than those which be.
long tothe household 81 faith. II has right In any
rtner sense adj Judge them than for their good anu
The purity Of the church And we have endeayorod 10
Tie administration OF duty TO behave lenenty--
rot to Judge with severity. We have sought cleanse
he church OF whatever seemed 10 longer %
ho Just While we have been attempting "
80 this there hns been running crouehnR over
ag4nst US AZ every avcnue and ~ every