The New York herald., 1875-11-27
An Exciting Business Meet
ing Last Night.
EMMA C. MOULTONS VICTORY
Her Demand for q Joint
Counsel Granted.
The Case in the Hands of Mr..
Beecher's Friends.


present The faces those familiar during tho
progress OF the great scandal trial The whole tone
Of the meeting was remarkably subdued; every
present seemed TO be aware that at the
close OF the religious services business meeting
would be formed for the purpose Of taking action on
Mrs, Emma G. Moulton's letter. There were very few
prayers offered and to a dsinteresed observer Mr.
Beecher himself seemed to be full OF emotion, which
he repressed with difficulty Instead Of the usual
sparkling talk to which his Friday night congregations
are accustomed, he filled up the half hour by in
ducng Brother White to arise and state to those
present the which is being done in the Plymouth
missions under his supervision, and, when this failed
to I'LL up the time the pastor called Rev. Charles
Morton, who has charge Of the Plymouth Bethel to
relate the history ofthat institution.
The meeting finally closed by Mr.. Beecher's as
ccndng the platform and announcing that letters Of
withdrawal had been requested by four OF the members
OF the church. viz Mrs. Agnes Newman Mr.. and Mrs
Alonzo r. Thomas and Mr.. Anthony +. Donaldson The
pastor then pronounced the benedicon and very few
OF those present retired Amid the hustle incident
to their withdrawal Mr. Beccher announced that the
business meeting would be Immediately organized.
lie moved that Rossiter W. Raymond be chosen
moderator, and in the same breath pronounced that
gentleman unanimously elected He then left the plat
form and took a seat on the aoor, at the side o
assumed the chair he had vacated Mr. Halliday rose
and said Mrs Fanny West has sent letter request
ing that her name be dropped from the roll Of the
Church.
The hush that followed this announcement was
deathlike.
Mr.. Shearman moved that the letter be sent to the
Examining Committee TO report on.
Mr.. Halliday moved that Mrs. Vests request be
granted
Mr. shearman said that Mr.. West had requested him
to have the matter laid
Mr.. Beecher rose and IN very deliberate tones
moved that the letter be referred back to the Examn
ing Committee for further report
This motion carried.
Mr. Edgerton said:-''At meeting in ac-
cordance with request Of the Examining Commit
teo OF this church the church voted to drop the
name Of W r West from its roll Tho next day card
appeared from Mr.. West in which he stated that he
had asked for delay the action of the church in
his and that request had been granted. Now,
after thinking the whole matter and thinking
there must be mistake, visited Mr.. West this
week found he aggrieved that the church
had acted 1t did without hearing from him, he
had asked the Examining Committee to delay action
his He said that If he had known that the
quest would not have been granted, although he
living out OF town at the time. he would
have appeared before the committee In
thinking over all this matter and thinking that
perhaps ought to learn what any member has to
say, think We ought 70 reconsider Mr.. Vests case
Mr. Blair stated that he had been present at the
meeting when Mr. Vests name was dropped and had
voted in favor Of that action, but he thought it
should be reconsdcred.
The matter then further debated by DR.. Edward
Beocher, Messrs. Hawkins Raymond, shearman and
Halliday, and the question. Mr. Beecher's urgent
request referred 70 the Examining Committee for
reconsideration.
Mr. Beecher then requested Mr. shearman 10 read
Nr. Vests letter to the meeting. Il follows
No EXCHANGE CouRT,
New York Nov "a 1875
To MEMBERS PLYMOUTH cHuncH, Brooklyn,
From the New York papers Of the 5th inst learned
that the evening Of November my was
dropped from The roll Of Plymouth church, and from
the same source also learned that
member Of the Examining Committee who had
called upon me reported that bad made
objection 90 the proposed dropping OF As this
pubic announcement placed III false position |
Immediately published card, stating that / had
ccycd only few hours notice OF the proposed meet
Ing Of the church; had said to other gentlemen who
had called uIon that other engagements would pre-
vent my attendance that evening and had asked him 10
request the Examining Committee 10 postpone action
for week, in order that might have opportunity
70 communicate With them and exphin the reasons for
ny absence from the church VIII state those
reasons, though Il seems 70 ine that they must
already be known 10 you You that
when Mr. Tton made accusations Of adultery
against Mr.. Beecher l. iram sense Of duty, mem
Der Of the church. instituted charges against Mr. Til
ton. for having circulated and promoted scandals
derogatory % the Christian integrity OF our pastor
and injurious 70 the reputation Of the church.
Notwithstanding these charges, and after they
had been entertained by the Examining Committee
Mr. Tiltons name was dropped from the roll without
cause This leo y the calling by neighborng churches
Of tho great counsel Of 1874 by which this procedure
condemned IN the strongest terms. The 'policy
Of silence" which was thus indorsed by you,
| regard inconsistent with the purity OF
the ministry and tho honor Of the church. and
cannot conscenuousy consent attend the services
and sacraments of the church until regular and Inn
partial investigation 81 the charges against the charac-
ter Of the pastor shall be made BY properly consti-
tuted council Meanwhile | protest against the
dropping of my name from tho roll without my con
sent
hoped that after the publication Of my card you
would al once call special meeting Of the church and
endeavor as far possible 10 make amends for the
jury which you had done me But some three weeks
have now elapsed and have received communica-
tion whatever from you, not even notification OF tie
dropping 81 my name, now request you 70
unite with me II calling mutual council
70 consider the action taken my case and 70 decide
whether the dropping 81 my name, under the circum
stances, just and IN accordance with the polity Of
the Congregational churches / hone that you win
unite with me N calling mutual council but in
do not hear from you 10 answer to this request
hereby give notice that shal call m parte council
IN accordance with the usages ~ the denomination, to
vindicate my rights member oil the Church Of
Christ Yours respectfully WILLIAM r. WEST
On motion Of NJ. Beochcr the letter was also
ferred 70 the Examining Committee
Mr. Beccher then gave out hymn during the sing
Ing OF which Mr shoarman disappeared aud soon re-
turned with Mrs Molton's letter 70 tie church pro.
testing against her being dropped, calling for a
joint council and threatening legal proceedings The
letter read, and Sir shearman handed Mr. Boochcr
formidable rol of manuscript Mr.. Beccher then
said
hr. CHARMAN-On the reception or this letter II
seemed 70 me That u vas very important that action
should oe taken by this church only with care and
wisdom only, but with promptnoss and &C once CON
suited both Christian brethren In the ministry with
the members q the Examining Committee and with
several other u The brethren who happened 70 be
within my reach, and requested that document might
be drawn w upon thus tnat should pre-.
sent y % any council ana To The world IN
It's true J. ht such document has been
prepared, and although there nre some reasons why
perhaps, should not myself read d. there are other
reasons why should stand a. Tho head of Plymouth
church ana, ~ reading such letter road Il simply
\ a. the answer the letter Nrp Wgritan