The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-16
BEECHER AND HIS TROUBLES.


The columns of this paper have not been
buriened and defled with this worldwide
scandal. 1t was swept aside with as brief
notice as was consistent with the duty of
public journal. That the notorious indi-
vidual in question lies under the guilt Of
some of the worst crimes known among men,
we have decided conviction, and this con-
viction was reached upon mature examination
of the evidence. The matter is now referred
to for the purpose of advising our readers
that it is not ended, but has broken out
anew.
Plymouth church undertook to drop Mrs.
Moulton summarily from its roll. She was
not to be so disposed of, but appeared before
it with her counsel, and planting most
singing and terrible accusation against
Beecher, resisted their action, and demanded
a mutual council on the questions involved.
This was agreed to, but subsequently they
disagreed upon the details, and it all fell
through.
Plymouth church then proceeded to call
an advisory council, which is ex parte that
is all those wko are to take part in it do so
upon the invitation of .One party! In other
words it is council picked By Plymouth
church. 1t is to be a very large council,
and includes great number of the principal
churches and pastors among Congregation
slisss. This council is to meet in Plymouth
church; all the expenses are to be betrayed
by Plymouth church; all the delegates, we
presume, are to be entertained by families
belonging to Plymouth church. How such
a council is to secure the confidence of the
public, no man of sense can pretend to say.
1t is called to settle points of church order
whether Plymouth church has acted regu
larly. These, however, are mere straws;
the only question the public cares for lies
behind all that And this has now become
a widely difused opinion. That our read
ers may understand the true posture of the
case We copy an extract from what the Rev.
T. G. Bartlett, D. D., writes to the BOSTON,
C0ngregationalist. DR.. Bartlett is Profes
sor in the Congregational Theological Semi
nary at Chicago, and is a minister in high
standing, He says:
at is now proper to say-snd great body Of
candid aud cautious men will be my witnesses-
that Mr. Beecher's own writings, his speeches, and
the course of Plymouth Church, have done, and
are doing, more to raise and to deepen suspicion
in regard to the fundamental facts OF his case,
than perhaps, all other il fl fences 1t time that
this should be distinctly and emphatically said.
|; is also necessary to say-and here, again,
have evidence that | express the sentiment Of
macy of the wisest men, and strongest, In our
the one question to be now con-
sidered is the fundamental one concerning Mr..
Beeeher personally. All questions concerning the
mere technieslites of church procedure, submitted
10 the place of this, are now brushed impatienty
aside by the church and the world. Any council
now called solely, or chiefly on those minor issues,
will not attain to the dignity Of solemn farce 1t
will be waste of time, money and patience.
Many regulations and interests demand such
thorough inquiry. Mr. Beecher's own fair fame
can never be vindicated without it. He is suffer
ing heavily every day. Men who have warmly de.
tended him, are growing silent, and expressing
doubts The illustration OF the mutual council
was very unfortunate though the affair itself might
have come short of what was desired. After read
ing the authentic statements of the church and
pastor, it is manifest that while Plymouth Church
SAID in words your right to name halt the council
is uodsputed," they took efectua measures in fact
to lrustrate the exercise OF that right that they
intended either to exclude those two members or
10 break their inf lence or the influence OF the
council Mr.. Beecher's own words IN the CHRIS
taa Union of January oh, justify all these three
statements
Another step has recently been taken
Mr.. Bowen, proprietor of the Independent,
and prominent member of Plymouth
was arraigned because he had hith-
erto kept profound silence about his pas
tor. When thus required to speak out, he
did it with vengeance, expressing his IN
doubling belief in the guilt of Beecher, and
declaring that this conviction was fast under
mining the Church. Telegraphic reports
state that this raised such storm in the
wigwam last Sunday as it had never seen
before. Mr.. B;echer became furious, de-
nounced Bowen openly as liar, and other
things of like nature, and the whole ended
in prefering charges against the said cffsn-
der. So he was arraigued first for holding
bis tongue, and next for not holding it
But the Advisory Council is to meet forth.
with, and the world may possibly see what is
to be seen.