The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-02-20
The Proceedings in Plymouth
Church Yesterday.
History of the Relations Between
Beecher and Bowen.
ANOTHER CHALLENGE.
The Council Enter Into Secret
Session.

Council then called 70 orueT oy 1enoFAi ~. n
Bates AS many Of the pastors desired TO be at home
to-day discussion to the hour Of adjourn
ment when was finally decided TO adjourn until to-
morrow, after the present session should nave con-
cluded.
Mr. BEEcHER intimated that Mr. Henry W. Sage, one
OF the Investigating Committee who had been out OF
the city during the week, had now returned, and IL
would be well If the questions were propounded
to him which had asked the other members OF the
committee.
In response to several interrogatories MI Sage said
that the Investigations by the committee very
thorough. He further stated that Mr. Bowen had,
over his signature. acquitted Mr. Beecher in his
mind notice had been issued inviting all who
could TO testify before the committee Mr.. Sage went
to state that Plymouth church composed of
body Of men and women who could read and under
stand what they read, and who would not permit Mr..
Beecher TO continue its pastor moment II they
thought he guilty Of the crime alleged him. He
had formed and expressed his opinion before the
mttee and since their decision had been arrived at
not such opinion could not be changed by
evidence There had been nothing adduced before the
civil tribunal that would induce him TO change his
views There charges brought before the
Examining Committee except those in the Of Mrs
Titon and the only person whose testimony the COM
mttee declined 10 hear Mrs. Woodruff, who came
to the place of meeting in q carriage
Mr.. BEEoHER here stated the reason why he put
Mr. Cleveland on the Investigating Committee that he
thought he knew best where look for the origin OF
the slanders There could not be at that time any
other investigation than that relating the charges OF
Mr. Tilton All sorts Of rumors prevailed No facts
were stated. From the dismal swamp exhaled malaria
rumors but Of which there nothing but ominous
croaks and mods theN wonderful allegations that
somebody knew somebody that knew something about
the pastor. Mr. Bowen had the courage 70
look him in the face about this matter He
(Mr Beecher) understood that in the tripartite
agreement treaty Bowen forgave him; but 1t b cid
Bowen tight criminal in CELL 1t either cant
that or nothing at all He had met Mr.. Bowen at
James Freeands house. He congratulated him (Mr.
Beecher) their friendship. Mr. Beecher then pro-
ceeded with characteristic eoqueuce and force to de-
pct his labors the OF Christ in regard to Mr..
Bowen, whom, he said, he would love TO the death,
though his heart was SCARED by him. Mr.. Bowen
wanted put him right before Plymouth church. After
recitng several instances OF the relations between
himself and Mr.. Bowen, Mr. Beecher alluded TO his
under which he left it, In 1870 he accidentally slipped
into the Christidn Union He got into he got into
other things that he had not bargained for
Deacon HOWARD then stated thai in January, 1870
reconciliation between Mr. Beecher and Mr. Bowen
effected Subsequently Mr. Bowen told him that he
the best friend Mr.. Beecher had, and after
told him that he could drive Mr. Beecher out OF
Brooklyn in twenty four hours he recoiled from Mr.
Bowen IN horror. Mr. Beecher subsequently told him
after New Years Day what he thought about Bowen
and he said he was .idevish, devishn
Mr.. BEEcHER said the relations between Bowen ana
himself temporarily of cordial after the
reconciliation. He mr. Beecher) had been believed by
many, and he saw that II he attacked all those in
sidious rumors he might bring reproach others
He thought chivalrous suffer private After
publicity had commenced the spread like prairie
on nre all the world Rather would he stand pa
tently suffer show by the purity Of his life that
he a welldoer. He knew IL would cause pain and
suffering in other hearts, he spoke and he kept silent
Ii like galvanio shock from Internal electric
battery when he heard OF Bowen's saying that no
able TO drive him of Brooklyn twenty -four hours
II seemed TO be the bottomess pit Of nfamy to say 10
only two days after their reconcilatdA Il more
like aCatalinan cruelty. He stood like awaking
midnight In menagere OF serpents; he was afraid to
move lest he should put his hand or foot adder
or an asp.
Dr. SFURrEvAsr offered a resolution TO suspend
further investigation into the Of Mr.. Beecher's
guilt and that the Council adjourn for consultation by
ITSELF He submitted that the character of the inves
CATION, as Il was being held was taking q wider
scope than that originally intended
Rev. GEORGE BACON then moved that the Plymouth
Church Committee be requested state If their case
had been concluded
Mr.. sHHARMAN replied that the committee desired to
Rev. Mr. HALLIDAY then assembled tho platform and
stated that IN July 1873, Bowen acted the part Of
traitor TO Beecher and how he put his round Mr.
Beechers neck protested he Mr. Beechers best
friend and then aterward said he could drive him out
In reply 70 the question as to whether he had tried
20 discover evidence Mr. Halliday he went TO
every mothers son and daughter Of them-daughter)-
to every who had wagged his lips regard 70 the
matter. Laughterl He went like Christian man ON
his own hook and not BY direction of the Committee
ough and exhaustive.
Rev. Mr.. ABBOTT observed that Mr. Towards state
ment 70 Mr. Bowen implied that the latter had paper
or document the publication or which would result In
the expulsion of Mr.. Beecher from the church He
would therefore ask Mr.. Beccher II be knew OF any
paper.
ANOTHER CHALLENGE
Mr. BEEcHER-Mr Howard did not make such state
ment 70 me. but only Of the speech Mr. Bowen
made II he made any such statement Il made no
impression me, and has escaped my memory since
l will as regards any paper that Is in the
continent or on the sea or the land and
beyond the sea; anybody in heaven and any
body In hell that has any document that have
written, any Information thai touches me in
any manner here give my PERMISSION to them pro-
duce w. and challenge them 10 produce It, and II is
ything that will throw light and ncupate ma
demand, by every consideration Of honor truth and
justice, that II be delivered and here and II not
thereafter everybody shall hold their peace tAp-
plause l wish, continued Mr.. Beecher after tho APP
planse had subsidized that the gentlemen the gallery
would pay heed 70 my often and often exhoration
maintain peace i do not want 70 be wounded in the
house OF my own friends have enough 10 bear from
the persons that hate and prejudced against me-
without having those VINO pretend TO love bring thls
odium
DR. BAooS-I want this applause TO cease have
been sometimes impeIed 10 call BY name, and
some OF them gray headed men, whom have seen ap-
plauding Did You evor see Judge ON the bench an
plaudng witness a lawyerf Did you ever see a
jury In the box applauding witness OF advocatee
Well, you have no more right to express your feelings
Wnon you are Swung ueIe trying tue great and
solemn case that has been committed to YOU by this
church
Mr. SnrH-The Doctor makes us laugh sometimes
Or. housekeeping Is one thing aud applaudnq an.
other Ifyou nave right 70 applaud you have right
TO hiss and II you have right 70 hiss you have right
TO throw cabbages. Q.aughter)
After prayer by Rev Dr. Bacon Mr. BEEcHKp said
that the lecture hall Of Plymouth church was being
prepared for the deliberations OF the Council
ANONYMOUS LETTERS
Rev. DR. BACON announced that he had received sew
era letters, some Of which anonymous and some
OF which had signatures attached ali or them contain
ing allegations against Nj. Beecher He said that no
notice whatever would be taken Of them
Or. BILL created great deal Of merrtment BY per-
sstenty Directing 20 sessions being held BY the
Council He said that II the members. Of the Council
agreed with him that the sessions should DO held
pubic he would not make a speech but this tempting
oner was rejected and the question being put TO the
Council u was resolved 10 hold the session In private
CHARLES O'CONOR.