The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-02-17
ADVISING PLYMOUTH.
Wise Mem Considering a Waiter
that Has Been Mentioned Before.

was resumed yesterday morning, being
called to order by the Moderator, Rev.
DR.. Bacon. The first half hour was de.
voted to religious services. Rev. DR..
Bell offered two resolutions, the first be-
ing, s'It is our firm belief that Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher is innocent OF the
sins ana crimes publicly laid to his
charge;" and the second, ''That they
regarded with admiration the devotion
Of the members to their pastor."
The resolutions caused quite an ex.
element.
DR.. Bacon said this subjecs was not
under consideration anu not before she
Council.
The bill urged that they be considered.
point of order was made that this dis
cusslon was out of order.
Mr.. Bell said ii they, did not consider
this question they might as well not have
assembled.
The question Of referring the matter
TO the Business Committee was put and
all voted aye except Bell.
The letter of Deacon West, protesting
against the Council in spending their
time in trivial matters and leaving out
the question Of Mr.. Beecher's guilt or
innocence, was read and referred to the
relates to Vests case.
Thos. q. Shearman then assembled the
platform to make an additional state
ment of the case OF the Church. He
first spoke Of the criticisms OF the press
on the curse OF Plymouth Church
and to incorrect reports published about
the Church, then passed TO the question
oil Diminishing members and other theo-
logical matters.
He reviewed the case of Mrs. Moulton,
OF the attempt to nave a Mutual Council,
and explained how the Council fell
through. lie said Plymouth Church had
done it's best to secure Mutual Coun-
ell, but it was essential that the Council
should be impartial. The present Coun-
Gil was at liberty to examine everything
in the history Of the Church. The ques-
tion was before them in the broadcast
possible form. The Church wished the
fullest advice OF the Council as to its
manner of dealing with the charges
against its pastor, and whether any fur
ther investigation was necessary. A
recess was then taken till 2 o'clock.
During. the recess an extraordinary
scene occurred, the occasion being the
| arrival OF Professor Smy the, of Andoyer,
Massachusetts,, who addressed Beecher,
inquiring whether letter had been re-
ceiyed from Professor Phelps, of An
dover. Beecher replied in the affirm
atiye, and said the letter was now i'll the
hands of the clerk of Plymouth Church.
The letter proposes that the Advisory
Council and Plymouth Church consider
and adopt means by which a mutual
council of smaller number should
be called for the express purpose
OF investigating the question OF
Beecher's guilt or innocence of the
charges against him. Smythe said he
desired to correct an Impression sougnt
to- be conveyed by Prot. Phelps letter.
IL misrepresented the action of Andoyer
Church, and he contended that the let
ter of Andover Church should be read
before the delegates here. Mr.. Beecher'
professed Willingness provided Phelps
letter was also read. Smythe objected
and said the Church should not go be-
fore the public misrepresented.
Mr.. Beecher intimated that perhaps
not more than five members of Andover
Church were present at the meeting
when the letter was prepared, aud said
be did not want body like that-preju-
diced, perhaps-to try him.
Mr.. Smythe repelled the insinuation
that the Andoyer Church meeting was
a small affair, but refused to give any
details Of the meeting or who took part
in it. He said Mr.. Beecher had the lot
| Ter; that spoke for itself. Mr.. Beecher
| said the action OF Andover Church was
irregular and discourteous. IL had sent
| its letter to the Clerk OF the Church, and
not to the Church itself.
The exchange OF sentiments upon this
and other points was rapid and earnest.
Smy the demanded that Beecher read the
letter OF Andoyer Church. Beecher re-
piled that the letter was in the hands of
| the Clerk of the Church, and he could
not comply. He appealed to Smythe to
| state his case to the brethren. Smythe
retorted: "You have the letter, Mr.
Beecher; that will speak for ITSELF" Here
| the interview ended.
The Counsel reassembled at 2 O'Clock.
After prayer Shearman resumed his ad-
dress, and again took up the Mutual
Council. He referred to the OBJ
ctions made by Plymouth Church
10 the selections of Churches
made by Mrs. Moulton, and to the fact
that the Church Committee had made a
| distinct statement OF their willingness
10 60 on with the Council If their objee-
tlons were disregarded. He tien took
up the question OF the Church's course
IN relation to the charges against its
| pastor. He declared that the Church
and the enemies Of Mr.. Beecher had
| given no weight to the charge, but had
set up presumption ofgullt, and called
upon Mr.. Beecher TO prove his inno-
cence. He then began to comment oil
circumstances attending the first publ
cation OF the scandal in 1872.
| When Mr.. Shearman concluded, differ
ent members of the committee were ex-
amined in relation to question contained
In the letter missive, and DR.. Bacon sub
niitted to lengthy examination regard.
ing the meaning Of the phrase, ''roll OF
the Church." and the course pursued
when q members name was dropped,
after which the Council adjourned till
80 in the evening.
At the night session Rossiter w. Ray
mond read long statement adverse TO
Theodore Tilton. Rev. Timothy Dwight,
Of New Haven, desired 10 know whether
the pastor selected the committee to Try
his own case, before or after consulting
the Examining Committee.
President Porter asked If any one had
ever appeared before the Examining
Committee with charges against the
pastor that would necessitate the going
Into an investigation, to which Mr..
Shearman replied that they had moi
l,lone SO within the past week.
/ In answer TO the question, "Wesc the
Ibrpther and tho sistef-in-law Of Mrs