New-York tribune., 1876-02-16
THE EVENING SESSION.


ADDRESS BY DR. EDWARD BEEcHER on CHURCH
TOLITY-RossITER W. RAYMOND REVIEWS HE
CHARGES AGAINST PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
At the evening session, which opened at 1870
o'clock the members Of the Council sat na solid body ANA
occupied abou, twothirds OF the auditorium, spectators
occupying the remaining space. Mrs. ii. ". Beecher
and Mrs. Col. Beecler occupied their chosen
places in the west gallery. Fewer ladies'
were in attendance in the galleries than in
the afternoon. but there much larger representa-
ton of male members of Plymouth Church. The space
allotted 10 spectators was well filed but not over
crowded. The flowers were removed from the pulpit
platform which assumed n thoroughly businesslikc ap
peaIancc. Mr.. Bccchcr present looking slightly
atgued but cheerful and rested the pulpit steps or
assisted in little matters of reference counsel The
Moderator and Assistant Moderator retired 10 appoint the
sA committees proposed 10y the Business Committee aud
the Scribe. The Rev. !. ID. Clark Of jamaica Plains,
Mass, occupied the chair. Dr. Edward Beecher then
read an address on Church Polity. ard. after
few Introductory remarks, discussed the Council
of 1874 and alluded TO the argument made
before II by the Rev Dr. T.. &. Soyrs. which was, he
claimed. practically that Council should declare what
congregational usage had been ia the past and moi what
il ought To be. The lettcrmissye of Plymouth
Church was now attacked he continued. be-
came thcy took the contrary position, ana
had appealcd 10 the word of God and not 10 Conetc-
Catona usage.
The Nodcrators then announced The namc' Of delegates
to serve on six committees, each of which was to con
slider ana report the Council upon one OF the questions
contained IN the icltcruissve seven persons were 'p
pointed on each committee, ana they were So
Icctcd from various states. The C0ninltirr' were
unanimously approved by the Council II wHs then an
nounccd that Rossitcr W. Raymond would speak on
behaIs OF tho Church lie said. among other thing:
ERrrIRrN: Ncu have heard already art" nouioi
DE statement which has been prcp3r 10 n' ,ru,,h
to you 10y the Committee on hrhalf "i ,iou'n
Cluuh. Beyond that are ready u" lHllI>h :" ~"
anything that son may require ani "" neg you =" "'
rrl tat which We has, len uuSsd, We Sh hrcn guided
hf ro def'sc TO vilhh',d nom you Tnt w., ~ 5 IN"
truth In the Nc;. iii-t ioui puHl'Yllon ".''
s,ul,d iho air name Of our I1.ior, TIE rluf' LIS
silji.d vas accused Of having guilty hnW ,u- "i ,rl,
AMI of guilt! Cuuui'ancc ~ u. IhaNlnu'h ~ 'i' r'N''
of tho chu:ch paid ~ attention !" lh'Nr ,i'''n"',,
rom such source, ine church "tlt c'''' ,tn, .u,
Of ,l heard hat accu,jiun made many a. Sa win
cc IN 'S Is c' no cocd t" @ Of cd d h; @ h % cu y Of on"
virtues our behavior n Other RESPECTS "hch seif'u
accussif.I. our LOYALTY W.. superb. oar Christian
work A, great AMI mobile swci ard s-nii! '4ui- "'I'
,nr M,rHii Iord that Wa ai W. Md ,ncrccd every
thing 10 illustrate these virtue, winch IA ihc
Icneat. W could moi receive .nch pTais' ~ h'rh'd
and sh7f'd. aod from mt hour i' ihi- Va, ,A ,,'''
gni,y ha- lGilcd as and rain 81 upon u- from
ever, quarter of inc hca.ru We dove: dell that many
pcpl. have been con.riruon-ly mi-led into l"dsm'ut
on th. church, which really impugu, s christian SIN
III. church r, not only been accued Of having 'a",
rnc.d ii. dfy enthusiasm Of pcisuua LOYALTY ud
i,ye. Lut, going 70 step further. -Hud.r has
accused u, of knowledge of g gun "l "lf
pastor. willingness - hidr q, uhd'N
~ approval % ii and Last % an. with thc prcu'" q"
.mliar rriurs oUr.,sca. Sow, brc rcn need ~ -and
before yor - say that feel or hearts {" c clean 81
such p charge IN every shane N''i We ,al
to son that W. expect 81 lou 10 h"h WIN
H. 10, ~ % church t,tt Is 'Hd"aNorine 20 ev"c'
a.. duft not .- a criminal that sou afv huriiuE. bay Co..
b,t, az hrI.fiah mru sud women Who have breu O.
srols from the ffst knowing their duo, and hno"nE
~. 10 so IL.
A. he conclusion Of Mr Raymond. addrc-s The Mod
oor sail that The Irpoioi the Eu-nr,s Committee had
been adopted only u part. and that tie remainder wa
-tul before tho Council. TT. Abbott the 'halr
uau OF the Committee. said that tie tWr!
ic,nlu ion VIZ hardly necessary! zinc" 'Wnnih hutth
had already made the statement 10 which D referred.
The remain pg resolution were I'orrii tho i"unrl
then decided to n'ct ~ H3ua. m. and to ihl mn
spccrlcs 10 y o. Iuri,s. NJ. f,s-cudrn ~ Maine
,iio,tl ~ an amendment to Tie ic.oluiion e."
90 time. that tho prryou- question hr n" ,'h.
trffi.urd bf this Council, when The mrmbci- "ho hah
nlt pfryiuu IS Hrohru dr.iltf 10 speak AlitI -'l
discussion uIiur this point ~" aincufueni "9~ Win
drawn on the representation it -ettia! po I'u d,r-
t.s that tle ~ nu- could no; he Adopted
Nh Isc,,hcr thea rq, ted those dclc,i'- ~L" had no.
set enn accommodated in the families o ne i1h"r- "i
fUr church % report the f1G to Nr HALLIDAY 1i i,'
rlnr of The -t-,Iou II W9s resolved ih- iht
tnuuril bold three sessions lt thr morning cotton 10
BEGIN 90 $3.50 m aud continue uniil l-3p t'' aii'i-
noon .cs,nn H. be from - until O'Clock. .ad h' even
ur .e sin fruin 7:.O HLfil $50 - Af'r tr lit
,f ~, roll IA, doulci adjourned until today - '
a.