New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-18
or II they don't think they ought u say anything about
it, submit to that too. Loud applause.I


During the delivery Of this speech Mr. Beccher
stood beside the platform where he had been sitting
since the business session began. His manner OF
delivery was entirely different from his usual
method of speaking. His voice was hard and sharp,
his words were rapidly spoken, and his gestures
were quick and forcible. At times, especially when
with deep, decisive tone of voice he exclaimed, l
will not sit before jury of foxes and
wolves" his eyes flashed. and there was
fiery earnestness in his manner which aroused the
deepest feeling in his hearers and they cheered HIM
to the echo. The general effect Of the speech upon
the audience was remarkable Persons who were
evidently members of the church, and warm sup
porters of their pastor, listened with triumphant
smiles, which sometimes became suppressed laugh
ter, caused evidently not much by witty things
said as by the sympathetic feeling of triumph IN the
decisive and eloquent words of the speaker
Mr.. Beecher then moved that the Committee nave
discretionary power to complete the roll of churches
and invite such might seem fit to them TO engage
in The Council This ordered
After the letter nssve was disposed Of Mr.. Shear
man suddenly in his quiet, nervous way, stepped to
the front of the PLATFORM and, to the evident sur
prise of many persons in tho audience, offered ms
resignation as clerk Of the church. lie said the
duties of clerk were burdensOme and drawback
to his business. He had borne them Tor
two years and couldn't bear them any longer.
Thomas j. Ti,ncy was then elected clerk by acclit-
nation. At the suggestion of Mr.. Beecher, MI.
Sherman was elected member of the Examining
Committee in the place of MIR. Illney. Augustus
storrs was also chosen to fill the vacancy caused by
the expiration Of the term of Mr.. Christensen rs a
member Of that Committee.
Mr. Beeeher then said that the duties OF the clerk
were very laborious, and if things went on as they
4 f. tbaY I'm GllqI
would have to be expert IN ecclesiastical law and
common law. and several other things beside He
therefore moved a vote of thanks to MI Shearplan
for Lis great services to the church.
L. r. RAYMOND said it would be bad precedent
to give q vote of thanks to man who had dore his
duty Mr. Snearman and his ability belonged to
the church, and the church had right to use thcni
Ii vote of thanks was given in this case the next
incumbent would feel that distinction had been
made if the action was not repeated when he LETT
the office.
Iu reply Mr.. Beecher spoke with great warmth.
This case he said, differed from any other Ii was
because of that that lie made his motion. Ii Was not
customary for officers of Plymouth Church to be as
sailed by the newspaper press as MI. shear-
man had been. "It isl said Mr. Beecher,
because Mr.. Sherman has suffered obl0quy
and reproach that l wish to emphasize
faithfully served by an honest man she knows it
[applause[ and we say to the world, think what
you please : we know when man serves US faith
fully and we Will recognize it,"
Nj. Beecher's motion wa, then carried unani-
mously by rising vote, and Mr. shearman briefly
thanked the church for its kindness to him.
The election of other officers was then taken up.
Messrs Christensen and Edgcrtol elected mem-
bers If The Music Committee, Assistant Clerk Tai
mage was reelected, and Messrs. Palmer and Moody
were elected Auditors. Amendments to Rules and
7 were referred to the Examining Committee. The
annual report Of Assistant Pastor Halliday
was next read, giving record Of his work
ia the Sunday-sch0ols connected with the
church and among the families Of the congregation
Letters of dsmisson given to seven members
of The church as follows Mrs. Agnes b. Barvour to
the First Presbyterian Church, Plattsburg, n. T.;
f. A. Benedict to the Central Congregational Church.
Brooklyn; Sarah NJ. Pratt to the Madison Square
Presbyterian Church, New-York Charles II. Muir
raw TO Plymouth Church, Chicago; and George A.
Bell, Mrs. Gabella L. Bell, and Arthur Bell TO any
church.
MIR. Shearman stated that frequently when dis
missions were applied for persons expressed their
sympathy with and affection for the church. Mr..
Beecher read letter from George A. Bell express
ing his regard for Plymouth Church and his love for
It's pastor.