The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-02-11
Mr.. BEECHER'S COUNCIL.
An Interview with One Of Those Cslled-The Mean
ing Of the Council and the Questions Upon Which
il il to Work.

In view of the fact that the Rev. Sam
uel Woleott, d. d. of this city had been
chosen as one of the advisory Congrega-
tional council to confer with Plymouth
church, Brooklyn, on certain points re-
garding its action relative to the great
scandal, Leader reporter called on that
gentleman yesterday afternoon to learn
his views and possible action in the
matter. The Reverend gentleman cour-
teously received his caller, and expressed
himself as willing to throw what little
light he could on the subject.
Reporter-One of the first points OF
interest in the minds of the people is as
to what power the council has in the
matter, and how far it can seek light on
the question of Mr.. Beecher's guilt or
innocence
DR.. Wolcott-To properly understand
that point it will first be necessary to
explain somewhat as to the status and
power of the council Plymouth Church
has selected one hundred and seventy
Congregational churches, from all sec
tions of the country, east and west, by
pastor and delegate. In all there Will
be about three hundred and forty OF
these church representatives, besides
twenty ministers who are not in charge,
several of whom are Presidents of co..
leges or professors in theological semina-
ries. This will make about three hun
dred and sixty members of the council,
provided they all decide to attend. The
questions to be submitted to them are
simply of church rules and their admin
istration, with the single exception of
the issue with Mrs. Moulton as to who
is responsible for the failure of the mu-
tual council, and that of itself is a tech
nical question.
RepOTter-Then you cannot go into
the direct question of Mr.. Beecher's guilt
or innocence?
DR.. WOlcOtt-There can be nothing
which will trench on this point, unless
incidentally in question as to whether
a member of the church would be justi-
fed in remaining away from the church
services through belief of the pastors
guilt. The letter missive which has been
issued to the churches assumes that the
pastor and church are right, but that
they may be mistaken as to their church
rules, and it is on these points they de-
sire to be advised
Reporter-Can the question of guilt
be touched ON indirectly?
DR.. Wolcott-The letter missive is, in
itself. the chart of the council. Our
churches, while they believe in fellow
ship and advice, are jealous of any en-
croachment or dietatiOn. 1t would be
very unbecoming if the council should
give its advice on points on which its
Judgment was not asked. IL the ques-
tions in the letter missive cannot be
satisfactorily answered without investi-
cation, to that extent investigation
would be proper. Or they might say
that the questions before them could not
adequately be answered without the
examination of questions which were not
before them.
RepOrter-In that case what steps
have to be taken?
DR.. Woleott-No steps. If they should
so state there would simply be the moral
force of the decision.
Reporter And further proceedings
would be left to Plymouth Church itselfl
DR.. Wolcott-In any event Plymouth
Chuich would be left to decide for it
self. The council could only offer sug-
gestions and counsel.
Reperter-Do you think that those
invited will generally respondl
DR.. Wolcot-I cannot say. / have
conferred with no one. They will have
to decide whether the result likely to be
secured by the council will warrant their
giving the time to attend it. For my
self am undecided. My attendance is
quite doubtful on account of my other
engagements.
As to the great question which is not
to be before the council, but which is
before the public, the Reverend gentle
man gave no intimation of his position,
and the reporter did not feel at liberty
to ask him his private opinion.
THE Presidential campaign will be
one of the most active in our history.
Democracy will not relinquish its foot
hold upon the House Of Representatives,
much less its hopes of natural control,
without a desperate struggle. Every
means available will be brought to bear
to overthrow the Republican party.
The stake is grand one-no less than
the nation itself-and to secure it De-
mocracy will marshal, in battle array,
every element and shade of opposition.
Republicans must be wide awake to the
nature and necessities of the conflict.
Clubs must be organized; the local pa
per must be made power for good; the
people should be enlightened, and no
stone should be left unturned to secure
glorious victory for the cause Of Justice
and Union. Republicanism saved the
nation from overthrow; Republicanism
can alone preserve it.
THE Kiralfys are to have a Centennial
theater at Philadelphia, to cost between
800, 900 and 500, 900, and judging from
a description of it in the Herald it will be
the eoInpletest establishment in the
country. The stage will be one of the
largest in the city, and beneath will be
large pit for machinery. No flats or
grooves viii be used, tie scenery all
being drops, the wings folding back
against the walls, 30 that the whole
width and height of the stage will be
available for displays and spectacular
effects.
Ex Gov. DINGLBY, Of Maine, will re-
sume the editorial chair. Is's better to
write than be Governor
WHES man Il wiili-g to pass for
what he is he makes a good beginning
for manhood.