New-York tribune., 1875-02-03
MARKED Exhibit No. 76."l

caught my hand In both Of hs, and said Theodore God
inspired you to write that letter"
TILTON's LAST VISIT TO PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
O. What action did the Church take in regard to
IT, A. On the morning Of the 3ist October, 1879
| believe correct in the date--t the morning
OF the day the evening OF which action to be taken by
the Church in reference these charges the morning OF
that Dag in the New papers, forget which
think The Susome nmaton that the action that night IN
stead OF being in accordance with the bargain made between
Mr. Beeche and namely that the roll should be amended IN
accordance with the fact Of membershp saw an article
saying that the action that night result my excommun-
cation from the Church the ground that charges had been
brought against for sandeng the minister and that when
was cited to appear before the Church to answer
them, / had, in spirited way, put In the
plea that l was not a member, and had shirked my
responsibility eyad my duty and that was to be
dealt with by the Church and be punished with expulsion
wen around to M MOuons and called his attention
to that statement and l asked him to send for MI
Beecher, which he did. Mr.. Beecher came. l called
Mr. Beechers attention to that statement and asked
him what to be the action that night said " You
and have agreed what the action shall be. have written
letter to the Church saying that not member but have
written that letter In interest have written hat letter
for the purpose OF fighting of this investigation did not
write that letter with view eyade any duty am per
fecty willing you are 90 down TO the Church and face
this investigation Tell me what is the action onight to
be- and what the meaning Of this newspaper forthpung
and threat and premoniton that l am to be expelled
lie ad he did know exactly what the action was to BE-
and ne spoke very words against Mr West and
he sid he great trouble told him could not afford
the risk any mistake that night that II this newspaper fore
Swallowed the true action, namely, that was to be held
mp before the public having made charges against
hin and having mcanly shrunk away from my
duty Of answering them by base plea as non
membership, that would submit 10 it. He
begged consult Mr.. Samuel Belcher, member
Of tue Examining Committee lie said Mr Bclcaer could tell
exactly the action be. told him that would
writ Mr Becler told him that would not permit the
put record for my future to be couded by as
under any such base insinuation that / not able
any such charges. left Mr. Beecher or rather
Mr. Beecher left me- he left the house, went up into the
study and wrote a member Of the Examining COMMITTEES,
Mr Samuel Z. Belcher, letter.
O. Is that the you wrote him lhandng witness let
teri A. Yes, Sir; that is the original draft Of H. made
clean copy and carried lin, and delivered into his
hand IL person.
q Go on with the narrative a. carried it over to
Kew York
Mr. Eyarts-wcr ne question whether Mr Beecher-
Judge Nelson delivered " Mr beecher That 10 all
you say about IT,
Nj Fuleuon-TAat Is all that h all propose TO have him
lay now ITO the witnessl: Go with the narration.
\. delivered il to Mr. Beecher; then went TO my office
and prepared copy OF which sent to Mr. Tamadsc the
clerk. The substance Of the letter WIS
q 10, mind that viii read the thing itself by and
bye Waen TIC action Of the Church TO- be had A. That
night
q Did you 60 10 the church that night A. did, Sir.
q WHAT occurred there A. rose and made speech.
q Just.e Us from the time you entered the church until
ylulc what occurred ia the presence Of Mr Beechcl A. About
eight clock into the church The prayer meeting was
n -ress waited through the end Al the end the
NEE g resolved itself by congregational into business
meeting. anI Of members appointed Moderator,
AMI e action which had hcrdeI in the newspapers Of
,nat morning brought forth for contamination
Mr. Eyarts-Waat took place
Tb. Nltuess-ln other words series Of resolutions
read repeat hen but substance that had
made charges against Mr. Beecher that had been summoned
TO answer thom and that ny that was
member and therefore dropped my from the roll and
soon a. heard record Rad my feet and made
brief statement % that congregation effect that If
| had slAndcred Mr.. Beechcr l there FOR
il 10 HE face and Mr. Beechcr rose and be had
charges % make against The enre proceedings given
the chronicles vi the day Iwont undertake 10 repeat the
c1ac. words.
O. DID Mr. Beccher say anything about the letter to
NJ Beecher after tAat1 A. Yes, Sir.
O What did be say; A. Mr. Bcecher told me that he was
afraid that trouble might in view Of my letter to Mr
Becher not had sent to Mr. Becher FOR hs
friend but because had sent copy Of it to Mr.. Tamadge
and he said that he did not then know whether Dir.
Talmadgs was inclined to be friendly or hostile to
the Investigation, but he fad he had procured the
conv OF il and it was in his possession. do
not dist cy remember whether he said Mr. Beeches copy Of
il or Mr Tamaees copy Of il; at all events he told that
there danger Of that letter going tie church records
Mr. FuIer;on-I propose to read il now.
Mr. Eyarts-The same objection, Sir.
Mr. Fullerton readng
BRooKLTS, October 3 1873.
! Mr. SAMUEL z BncHER
Nya4qr Sir-As YOU are a mutual friend Of Mr. Beecher
ny T. M as you aFc likewise member Of he E44nin
In, Cl,rnr.. Of Plymouth Church. occupied with
Lpy scandal desire put your hands 20 be used publicly
| gT
wrote DAYS ago your Comm tee. stating TINT had
not years acid any connection wh tc'er win Plymouth
church aid tcr. ore could WIKI prOpey the past
| VI q member Iu any pro, etdn-s.
RUt, since writing that note, learn from The public
| papers that because my name si.h appears on the
/ ber sufficiently 80 lcsst % be inucL by
of the member fo7 sanderng the pastor 0 also thrown
t.at thus refusing 10 submit myself 20 the Cnurch
tribunal order 10 escape the responsibility VI my sanGefous
therefore say dr have never spoken against Nr Peccher
f.-ay and, second either he the Clunh Committee
shal request tJ my nonmembersnp and take my
! position again. 1 viii 90 mcm-er
ong enourh appear this evening the meeting
question from Mr. Bcecher the Committee namely
Have you Theodore IAion, ever spoAen against Henry
Ward Beecucr fascy ~
request You to show this letter Mr.
action Of the Committee tonight Let me add that
nv explcitness in tus is solely with protect
myself against any unjust suspicion reflection future
that have sought 70 eyae any just responsibility Of
/ mine % Plymouth Church
retain copy is letter to be used a. shall IT.
Fratenally yours, THEODORE THroE'
| Marked Exhibit No a ''
Mr. Fullerton-A motion adjourn always order
believe.
The Court therefore adjourned TO eleven O'Clock this
| morning.
TIE HOUTBS or THE MISSISSIPPI