The New York herald., 1876-02-05
What Mr.. Bowen Says Of the
Plymouth Pastor.
IAN ADULTERER, PERJURER AND HYPOCRITE
The Editor Of the Independent "a
Tomb of Secrets"
LAST NIGHT IN THE TABERNACLE.

N yesterday The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher not
In attendance. All the members OF the committee
present except Messrs. Tilney and Hawkins The
Rev s b. Halliday opened the proceedings with
prayer II was then announced to the committee that
the two sons Of Henry C. Bowen, Edwin e and Clar-
ence w., waiting with a communication for the
committee They ushered into the presence OF
the committee, when the elder son, Edwin Bowen,
inquired whether the members ready to receive
his fatner's answer to s. V. Whites statement OF
grievances" DIR. Edward Beecher replied that they
Clarence W. Bowen then Immediately began
the reading OF the document and continued il uniner
ruptedly to the end.
At the close Of the reading 8, " White remarked that
the reply left questions for the committee to
ask and consider Edwin E Bowen replied that If the
committee had any questions TO submit or remarks to
make they must address them in writing his father
The young men then withdrew What occurred after
their departure is veed in mystery. AZ o'clock
p. NJ Assistant Pastor Halliday called at the residence
OF Henry Bowen and asked for interview with the
latter Mr. Bowen refused to see him. but would re-
ceye any communication the pastor might send
him Mr. Halliday then sent to Mr. Bowen an unsealed
letter which requested Mr. Bowen to appear before the
committee Tuesday evening and substantate the
charges contained in his written reply.
The reply which Mr. Bowen's presented to the
Examining Committee will be found below together
with the Official statement of Mr. S. v Whites griev
ances and other matters which constitute full his
tory of
REMARKABLE CONTROVERSY
On tho 18th of January Mr. Bowen received from Mr..
s. B. Halliday, the clerk of Plymouth church. letter
dated January IT. informing him that at meeting of
the Examining Committee Mr.. s. v. White had made
statement of grievances and the committee had accord
lngiy passed resolution to the effect that Mr. Bowen
be requested to meet the committee and Mr. White
on the evening of Wednesday, January 10, at
No 5s Willow street In response to the resolu-
lion Mr. Bowen met the committee at the
place and hour appointed and prepared to
the grievances of Mr. White, but as the COM
mittee refused to allow his senographer remain in
lhe room he refused to make statement then Here
The rested until the cath OF January when Mr.
rilney sent Mr. Bowen. per request, a copy OF
Brother Whites grievances enclosed in a letter which
asked Mr.. Bowen when it would be convenient for him
the committee again. In to this in
aury Mr. Bowen sent the following note:-
BROOKLYN Feb 2 1876
Rev EDWARD BEEcHER, D. D. Chairman
SIR expect to be ready to reply to Mr. s. V.
Whites statement OF grievances against me Friday
afternoon the 4th inst, and will name hve l5l o'clock
Halliday (where met beiorel a convenient place
II any later hour up TO seven (Il O'Clock, the same
evening, viii suit the Examining Committee better
'''-'0 ' HENRY C. BOWEN
The following is a statement of
MR.. g. " WHITES GRIEVANCES.
had an interview with Mr. Bowen the latter part
oil November in which | urged upon him my belief
that he in in his course in regard 10 matters
connected with Plymouth church IN connection with
the rumors and reports that in existence
spect to his charge OF reprehensibc conduct on the
part Of the pastor said that wanted TO talk with
him the subject. He sand that he would like
his present 1 said 1t was perfectly agreeable to
10 have him there. then said to him that be-
many IN Plymouth church, end or the other,
unless he explained away certain things weighing
my mind; that either the pastor OF Plymouth church
should leave, that he should avow his posi-
ton as not knowing anything adverse to the
pastor that he should leave told him that what
complained OF was that common rumor had associ-
ated his largely with the reports with respect to
the pastor as having made statements that were indie
alive OF a knowledge on his part that Mr. Bcecher
guilty Of gross mmoraiies that, so tar as knew, he
had neither affirmed nor denied them, although the con-
dition OF things was such that every member OF Ply
mouth church. studying its peace and purity, wanted
know whether there was anything within his knowl
edge adverse the character of Mr. Beechcr, or, n
there was nothing within his knowledge to know of
that fact told him that called his attention to the
statements that were made by Mr. Tton and reported
have been made by Oliver johnson as
derogaory remarks his part affecting the charac
acter OF the pastor. told him did not pretend that
these things true but that II believed pretty
generally through the country and among the brethren
OF Plymouth church that he had made these state
ments-satements that were damaging 10 the moral
character OF the pastor, and that every man,
and child Plymouth church were directly interested
knowing what were the true facts In regard to all
matters affecting the character OF Mr.. Beecher; and
that while he might at stage properly have kept
public notoricty. II was now case concern
Ing which were all entitled to know
], as member OF Plymouth church, wanted
know what there was against the character OF Mr.
Bcecher; and If he did not know anything that he
should set the matter at rest | urged upon him that
his not fraterna that he was not studying
the peace or purity OF the church that its purity de-
mandcd, that its peace demanded, that II he knew any.
thing against pastor he should make II known and
that II he did not know anything he should say so.
He heard me- and made reply except TO say that
a good many people had been him with the same
nj ha WI
Judge what his duty should be- that he could only
tell me, he told other people, II knew all the facts
would say that he acting conscentiously that he
must be the Judge OF what he should communicate.
] told him that there were other things-that
there been interview published between MS son
Henry and newspaper reporter which grave renec-
tions made against Mr.. Beecher-this, while he
was editor and publisher of paper and while
people from the daily press were glad to interview him.
he had discaimed any OF those things nor said
they made without his consent He replied that
his OF age and that he could not be held re-
sponsible for them Mr.. Bowen very distinctly said
that he had been for many years the warmest friend
and among the strongest supporters OF Plymouth
church when u needed support He said that this
tnued down TO time when It was supposed by some-
body that something had come 70 his knowledge From
that time he had ceased 10 have the respect and conf
rns TRrExpsmP or rHE PASTOR
Of Plymouth church, and that the hand Of the
church bad been very largely turned against him;
that there was great prejudice very wrongful against
HIM that he was 70 be the judge Of his own course
and that be had made up his mind what the true
that he had given his word, ana Intended
10 keep IL called his attention 20 the fact that the
promise had been abxolved IN published card, and
that any rate other people having given their ver-
sions all Obligation from such promise was removed
mai as A member OF Plymouth church, was entitled
90 know He said matter who broke their word
he proposed to keep his own That when he was car
red 10 Greenwood men should say ne had lived an
honorable life and had Done as he had agreed TO-
The conversation continued. ] strove 10 urge upon
him that he was hts course, which was one
of armed neutrality allowing people believe that ne
d,d know something about Mr.. Beecher, and when !
came TO him the interest OF the peace and purity OF
lie church and asked him what that he always re-
ped that he the Judge regard TO that aud tnat
his conclusions must be trusted in regard to these
things lie asked why did not go and ask Mr
Bcecherf told him had and could get no satisiac-
from Mr. Beeoher. He said be had been ready TOT
years talk with Mr. Beecher thai Mr. Beecher said
there we're not men enougn Brooklyn 20 bring them
face face. said wanted MIN 10 tell me what there
and let II Mr. Beecher could not be brought
ace TO face with all the facts u there were any, that
the whole matter might be brought TO rest