The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-02-18
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.


Shortly after two O'Clock the Moderator tDr Bacon)
called the meeting order all joining in the singing
Of the 704tn hymn.
Dr. Bacon then announced that as there
ton before the Council, all business german the
questions at issue in order
Mr.. SPAULpING asked whether Deacon West did at
any call for mutual council for the purpose OF
considering Mr.. Beechers case. 10 which an answer
gwen in the Affirmative; and in response TO the
question whether he preferred charges against
Mr. Beecher reply was given in the negative
DIR. STRONG, ofMnnesota on behalf OF the committee
ON the sixth question: asked what contemplated by
the committee of the church in proposing the sixth
question. Did the committee design by that question
open any question that might properly before
Tie Couucil2
Mr.. sHEARMAS replied that II was designed TO open
up every possible question that might arise the his
tory OF the church He further added that the rules
concerning discipline and the mode OF trying members
were adopted in January 1874, while the Brooklyn
Council held IN March, 1874. The other rules had
not been changed since 1871 There had been case
of restoration OF member excommun cated but there
had been OF restoration Of those who had been
dropped The action in The latter had been taken
by a reconsideration OF the vote The same action
would be taken in case OF accumulation
Mr.. BEEcHER stated in reply TO other questions that
member had right to leave Plymouth church and
JOIN another church after having been dropped but
such joining would be regarded in the light OF rebukc
consequent upon previous action IL would be deemed
added that Plymouth church Expected their acts and
discipline TO be recognized by other churches far
their action was known.
Mr. SHEARMAN IN reply to Dr. Parker. stated that
Mrs Mouton had been dropped the ground OF ahan-
donmenL Theoretically this abandonment was con-
sidered sufficient ground for accommodation, al
though he had previously stated there never had
been the history OF the church Of excommuni-
cation. Previous TO the notice gwen TO Mrs Moulon
by the Examining Committee IN which she was invited
10 appear at It's meeting none Of the members had
visited her confer with her to returning to the
her husband denounced
church, and II having been stated that she about
20 appear as witness against IT IN matter which at
fccted the pastor
Or. wARRES inquired to the precise meaning OF
the last clause OF the sixth question as TO whether
plymouth church had gone beyond its rights
church OF Christ 10 forfeit its claims 10 fellow
chip Of the Congregational churches /"
Mr.. BEEcHKR said It had reference to a certain state
Of facts existing the church after the trial before
evil court Several persons who were neither the
church nor exactly out Of II threatened to bring
council after council when IL was suggested, for Che
sake Of all parties, that they should be dropped The
clause on The sixth question referred 20 designed
10 ehci1 iuil investigation They wanted review OF
The whole economy OF the church IN order TO ascertain
whether Plymouth church had cone anything that had
forfeited us claim TO the fellowship Of the other Con
grcgational churches
In reply to further interrogatories Mr. BEEcHKR said
that II person who had been excommunicated re-
pented he would be taken back into the church
Or. BAcoS-Dont you expect hun TO confess more
than his original SIM
Mr. BEEcHER-when he comes before the church
the actual transaction is about as much a we can
manage uaughtcrl
Mt wixsIow, IN reply to Inquiries, stated that the
Investigating Committee pursued every suggestion
every allegation, every point that regarded as OF
consequence, thoroughly without shrinking The
only witness whose testimony would be received
was that OF Mrs Woodruff She 4 the house in
carriage and said she had some documents which she
desired TO show. An answer was gwen her that the
committee wanted 10 hear nothing from her any OF
her representatives The investigation conducted
for purpose OF axccrtanng the reference
the matters alleged There no consultation be-
tween the members OF the committee and Mr.. Beecher
the report that was 10 be made
In reply 20 the question whether anything had been
developed that wouo require renvestigaton had IL
been known that you wotd probably have called for IT,
Dir Winsow said he knew Of nothing except what the
Law would call hearsay evidence.
Mr.. NOBLE made some inquiries relative 20 the hnan
cial condition OF Plymouth church, and Mr.. Shear
said that the expenses much larger than
might be supposed. The surplus, after paying ali Incl
dental expenses, devoted TO the Mission schools
In connection with the church, upon which
pended SIS, 600 year. AS to Mr.. Bcecher's
tion With the ChrisfidR Union editor he to
celvc $4,000 year-in stock uaughterD
Mr. BEKcuER here stated that the expenses Of the
late trial were on his side $l1sOoO Some were always
taking about another trial AS II there was something
10 cover up lie did not wish 20 UP anything OK
ccpL after his experience It might be, his pocket.
daughter He alluded % the fact that throughout
the entire case Mr. Sherman would NOT accept any
BUSINESS
In reply TO Mr. wooIey yr BgEcuxR said in feel.
fng terms that he conscious OF ANYTHING WHY
Ne and Dr. Storrs and Or. Burlington should not love
each other. as he and Mr. Wooley entertained that
feeling between each otner He mourned the with.
eould say IRON The present moment let the dead bury
ahe dead let the past be everasngy forgotten without
Explanation " apology. drawing the line Of oblivion