The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-02-16
DIR. BACON MODERATOR.
statement Of the Situation by Henry Ward
Beecher, DR.. Edward Beecher and
R. W. Raymond.
APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES.
Three Sessions To Be Held
Each Day.

much discussion convened yesterday In Ply mouth
church determine whether Its method Of dscplinng
IT'S members is in accordance with Congregational
usage. There were delegates from all parts Of tho
country north of Mason and Dixon's line and the
gathering decidedly impressive. The doors of the
church thrown open O'Clock, and the gal
quickly hed the main body of the building
being reserved for the members OF the Council The
audience included large number Of ladies' The
arrangements in all respects perfect as posi-
De Mr. Beecher entered the church shortly after one
o'clock and mingled with his friends with whom he
engaged until the opening Of the proceedings at
TWO O'Clock The platform had business look; the
appearance Of the Council grave and dgnined and
altogether the well calculated enlist
ZION. There were present, among Others the CON-
mencement Dr. Smart OF Albany DR.. Marsh OF oswego
Rev. j. Twiche, of Hartford; DIR. Dexter of Boston;
Rev. Mr.. Cooper, of Lockport; Rev. s. ScoviIle of
Norwich, N r. Rev. DR.. Boynton, OF Newark; DR..
Edward W. Bacon, Of Springfield, H.; DR..
Woolsey, Of Yale College; Rev. j. Douglas of
Pulaski; Dr. H. N. storrs, OF New York; Mr. Z.
4. Noyes OF Binghamton; Mr. A. X. Potter, Lock
port; +. L. Jones, oswego; Rev. Mr.. Wooey, Nor
Walk Rev. E. B. Turner, Hannibal, No.. Rev. William
Wright Boston; Rev. J. Meyers Boston; DIR. Lyons
New Haven; Rev. G. W. Field Bangor Rev. S. B. Fay,
Bangor; Rev. S. L Blake, Concord N H. DR.. Nichols
Burlington, VT Rev. E. A. Lawrence, Poughkeepsie
pittsburg; Hon. Charles Beard.ley, Iowa; Rev. C NJ
Ferry ST, Paul, Mimi. Rev. John Charlcton, Law
'ence Kansas
BEEcnER's ADDRESS WELCOME.
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher assembled the platform
shortly after two O'clock and amid breathless silence
delivered the following address,
BRETHREN FATHERs-It is made my duty to well
come you TO this place and 10 the duties which will DO
Incumbent upon you Advisory Council You
have come from great distances, many OF you and all
Of you have come from occupations that could AL have
spared you. We appreciate your hdehty 10 the great
principle of sympathy and Of fellows bp by which the
churches united together and by which those that
any necessity feel themselves liberty to call
Tor and for help from their brethren. You
tute not the first great Council that has assembled
his clty-a city favored of councils. 1t is
he second largest Council the history Of
American churches that within two years has
vened IN Brooklyn and although the Council OF ls74
was impressive by the dignity and the learning, the
piety and the general excellence of its members. be-
hove will be regarded that this gathering will be not
whit behind that in spiritual aud moral excellence,
and that you surpass them N numbers Is not matter
Tor any special remark except TO say that this const
u'es the largest Oounc ever convened IN America AZ
The call OF any church discuss the affairs that
church IL is matter that needs no explanation that
Plymouth church has been for the past four or Ave
years making voyage through a stormy Its diff
cuties that are known have been many,
but every heart knows its own bitterness
better than any other cam and these diff
culties within and tue trials have been more
Dnerous than those that have been known without.
Nevertheless through these TRIALS storms you WILL
JOIN with giving thanks to God that the heart of
this great church has been united and it stands
man to-day, and that though it has been set upon by
various Universities II has pleased God bless its
troubles and Affections and there has been month
In our history in which the Spirit of God has been
present with the Word In which there has
awakening IN men, comforting them and bringing
them into the church and quickenng the members OF
the church in all their various abors, that t has
been perpetual summer of Christian experience
among while been going through our
troubles This church has an average of between
1850 and 1900 members Plymouth church is eQuiva-
lent to twenty-five ordinary churches. But there IS
also great body for whom feel ourselves RESPONSE
ourselves be the centre of II 600 persons
who look TO Us Tor instruction, consolation and for
moral direction. The great community which -
brought trouble has lifted up its voice TO you and
said, Come over and help US. :" At period, for
reasons unnecessary MENTION 1t was thought 70 be
TO call this Council; It was thought unwse
that the churches should respond It; but sober
second thought it has been deemed best and although
advisory council, the best answer that
can be given is "Behold, you here. 4"
And now need only say that you come 10 bringing,
trust wisdom, and, we hope, 70 receive from
not only ervent gratitude, but assure you, Chris
tan pretnren ano iainers you come INTO an aiino-
sphere OF prayer. Your coming TO thousand of house
holds, has been the theme OF morning and even
ing supplication. You have been remembered
be remembered by man and woman and
by a great multitude who have power with God
and have believe that your stay will not
be alone for benefit, but for your spiritual
ncauop, and that watering, you yourselves will DO
to the theme which you called 70 discuss
The letter missive will give you information.
Although may be that in tho topics mentioned they
will have as great an interest that
in church poity, there things important than
polity, and within range, we believe, the question
affecting prosperity TO be among the imminent ques
There Is this peculiarly however that you are
called not 70 personal question, not TO church ques
tion, but 10 joint onethe preeminent personal ques
tion which has had long and many sequences the
Of which run back 70 personal question: II is for
me- 1t IS not for this church. to suggest anything you
Westuded TO draw this letter mssive that you could
feel yourselves at liberty, within the meaning OF the
charter OF your existence 70 make all and every
curry Of every sort that you thought to be wise
aud best and, whatever Investigation you may
wish TO make, whatever investigation you may
ihink IL wise to ponder or to adopt reject l beg
you understand that you will according to your
own discretion and not any expressed wish or re-
stricton IN spirit IN letter on our part for NAV
say without having formally asked the church. what
ever the judgment Of this Council 1t for thcm
investigate and consider they will have the
and fullest desire OF the church do and may
say myself that fear adequate and just nvesti-
cation, and whatever may be thought wses and BEST
that earnestly covet It, and that certainly adj.
wise it. You have not present with you many no.
table and many notable churches from this
immediate neghborhood. That has been an acc,-
dent Al an early stage we received nom some friendly
churches expressed desire that they might not be
called and upon further consideration such has been
the continuance OF this trouble in this surrounding
community, and to such extent has the division
Of opinion through families and churches that aer
mature consideration IL thought wIsest 10 in
vove bv 50 much required Tor consultation the
churches the centre OF the trouble and with
ont apv dsrespec and 20 out prospect for them they
have beon exoncracd from that responsibility which viii
derolve upon you Brethren and fathers know that
many Of you have left scenes OF revivals-the most
tender and exciting scenes 10 pastors life, and We
regret that obliged 70 call you away; but we
believe thai the Holy Ghost-we believe that the pre-
eence Of the Saviour-we believe II Is possible for
Coo TO pour out His spirit upon you your sessions
here and that you will be better qualified TO 60 home
and labor in the REVEALS and that giving you the
most cordial to homes aud to
our hearts and this church. also
express the ardent desire that there may here be such
presence OF God that waen you return home you Will
20 with added power, with faith IN God and
love for saving souls bid you brethren and fathers,
hearty greeting, and now with these few remarks,
supp0se my dnty will be discharged after the naming
OF temporary chairman, as the first step In the
order Of organizing this Advisory Council
ORGANIZING COUNCIL
Rev J. W. wELLNAs. OF Massachusetts,, nominated
Dr. Leonard Bacon, OF New HaveH as temporary Mod
orator, and he unanimously elected Rev. Mr..
Clark Of Jamaica Plans, Boston, was elected tenn
porary ScrIoc, with Rev. +. Frank Howe, OF Ierre
Hanie. Ind. and Rev. Mr. Boynton, oil Newark, as AS