New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-30
PLYMOUTH CHURCH PLANS.
THE TREATMENT OF DISAFFECTED MEM
REPS


AND BOWEN.
In the ouestion at issue between Plymouth
Church and MoutoB IL is not deemed probable that
council will be organized and ready Tor WORK Deiofe
Jan. l. 1875 Mrs Moulton will at once answer the
letter recently addressed 10 her by the church
and her answer will probably be presented 10
the business meeting Friday Of this week
eubseduent to that IL will be necessary for the Two
parties TO meet and arrange the lettermissve appoint
the tine for conveng the council and name the persons
who shall compose it. Some people doubt that tue TWO
parties can agree upon the points to into the letter
mssve and believe that through disagreement on these
points the mutual council will fall to the ground
In conversation with prominent member OF Plymouth
Church Yesterday, a reporter Of THE TRIBUNE was
informed that members of that body were Thoroughly
IN earnest in this matter and that there was
general feeling of sladness that the council
was to be called. They do not think the
church has done anything rash IN its letter
10 Mrs Moulton, and willing 10 support
what is there forth For the sake of common decency
they hope the scandal will not be raked up and they 40
rot believe the council will desire IT, The plymouth
Church members OF the opinion that as intelligent
and fair-mnded men, the delegates to the council VIII
probably consider only the ecclesiastical points involved
In the case The council will have no power TO compei
the attendance OF Witnesses being merely an :IDl-
TRAITOR and can only take such testimony
rs people may choose TO give. Assistant Pastor Hady
sad Yesterday that the church would not eecde from IT'S
position and that the question OI inc scluh uciS iV
duced would depend wholly upon what the council might
decide II was stated by warm friend Of the church
that Mt Beecher would take very active part III the
matter and that the Examining Committee was deter
mined 10 get the right kind OF council The same gem
ucman said he seriously doubted If any council would
declare decision to the innocence or guilt OF MI
Beecher; that the council would not admit testimony
which would that question, az II did not neees
sarily enter into the point at issue
The annual election of officers OF Plymouth Church VIII
occur about Dec. 10, when the Examining Committee
clerk and deacOns will be chosen 1t was said yesterday
that there was a probability that Mr. shearman would
not continue in the cerkshp another year Any changes
IN the Examining Committee will not affect the organic
ing OF the council inasmuch the present members Will
hold office until Jan. l.
THE CASE OF c. c. DUNCAN.
statement was published yesterday that at meeting
OF the Examining Committee OF Plymouth Church held
On Monday OF last week. the Of Charles c. Duncan
was considered he being present in response TO request
from the committee This meeting in fact was held IN the
week previous and Mr.. Duncan said Yesterday that he
was surprised and panied to SIC the s9eet srGug 9
kept and his at he should have Kept secret
tc Tho bstcrv Of the case i'm detail Some time pre-
yiOus to the meeting Of the Examining committee OH
said the church proposed to drop his name
nom It's roll lie replied that he hoped tins would not he
lis Moulion and Mr.. West. Mr.. Duncan addressed
note Thomas G. Sbcarlnan protesting against th pro
focwne hat there came delegation nom the church,
consisting Of Nj. Blair and Mr. ChrstianSen: "o9
ne TO withdraw, and rather ntmated that the church
would diop me deprecated Inc course anu , Mdle
,hort time after that received official notice from
Mr.. Halliday the Secretary OF the Examining COM
mittee, nclosng the following resolution: ,., A.,
Resol1sd That Capt Duncan be invited TO meet With the
Examining Committee on Monday evening next and com.
uncate the facts in relation TO his connection any Win
10 this resolution" added Mr. Duncan 81 replied in
writing that my connection with Plymouth Church dated
delightful service as Superintendent O. the sabbath
school and i've years IN which was ocacon % rS
against me- that had not abandoned my connection
Plymouth Chugeh, nor dld l mtend 10 90 81, Dui
was ready perform all duties incumbent me as one
members. far could ooLscientiously do 80
and o give good and sufficient reasons for any apparent
failure; and most earnestly protested against my
name being dropped from the rolls OF meianersiP
suoh course was contemplated. Having mus Ies9ndea
10 the resolution respectfully asked leave to Withdraw
RS were very unwilling that should stop there,
md asked me 10 give my reasons for not attending
tO be adueIer and peuror also tod them mat II
they proposed 70 dop my name iron me roll desired
to stale TO the church. although hoped 10
oS f Sir echers ease mad been most lortate
Nv reasons tsiring remain are that plymouth
Church" means to something more than its present
eEange In these Mr Beecher may be innocent,
eed conspiracy tue pat ~ his enemies may be
mort fully proven. and will 6e very happy TO believe
hi.n when can. Then, he may die before do
And there other circumstances which would induce me
to return an SATISFIED tnat shvud SUI Ienlat t
member. And II they drop my name SNAIL take The nest
advice ana, Win The ala VI my Dcst Judgment,
viii resist II ara protest as'nlt IL haEe atey "cen
Informed they decided 10 abandon tie subject
stopped attending the church IN July, but still attend
the Sunday schOOl very often. When IntOns letter
to Dr. Bacon was first published in 1874, IL
seemed 10 Ulerc no doubt OF the
PASTORS guilt. felt that he had simply fallen az many
good has SINCE King David; aud could have put
ny ARMS Ouud Inn and shielded HIM from lis enemies
But when there came IL seemed 10 me, the sacrificing
the sacred friendships and PERJURY BESIDES i
could not defend HIM.
HOW THE CHURCH REGARDS Mr.. BELL AND Mr..
BOWEN.
In relation OF George A. Bell, who ia stated
to be out of sympathy with the church. leading member
Of the yesterday that there Likelihood
Of any The church holds Mr Bell in high esteen
and there is an earnest desire that he may back III
he ever leaves the church il will he because he asks for
letter dismissal. There Is Thought 81 dropping MS
name He kindly feeling toward the church ana sald
TO TRIBUNE reporter yesterday notwithstanding Inc
he apUeared a witness for Mr. Hilton. But
based liz having advocated some years ago, Tie poi
icy seZiny the scandal by the throat at once, WINE
Mr.. BeecHer preferred tire course OF silence MI. be
The church viii never have peace unl
IL override all techDicalities Peace would have come
years ago had they met the scandal face 70 face"
member of Mr. Beecher's church sad yesterday tAat
the subject OF dropping the name Oi Henry y bO"cn
from the plymouth roll had been considered at recent
meeting, Ould in all probability be disposed
Of during the Winter Mr.. Bowen still holds one OF the
best pews in the church, but IL II Wen kn0wn
of synpaty with the church, and sought 10 DuTe 1t by
his sIlICe. There time when he had II IL llS
power To hit a cOud Mr.. Beecher He eiLher be
leycs he has taken strange course
"a allowing much 10 Ike said without contradictions
Nh rOwen himself does believe the church will drop
his NAME and will probably resist the attempt ls
made.