New-York tribune., 1876-02-03
PLYMOUTHS LETTER MISSIVE.

QUESTIONS FOR THE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
DRorriNG NJ MBEEs-THE CoCHSE OF rHE CHURCH
IN CERTAIN CAsEs-CIAssEs OF MEMBERS WHICH
INCLUDE DEACON wRsT MRS. MoULroN, AND
MIR BowFN-PLYMoUTH's ACTION CONCERNING
THE MUTUAL COUNCIL.
The list of churches and clcrgymcn 10 whom
the letter nlssye OF Plymouth Church, calling an Ad-
vi,ory Council Las bcou sent given In u IN ycster-
days TRIBUNE Following Is the text Of The letcr-mis-
siyc which il signed by Henry Ward Beecher pastor
and by the nen1crs OF the Church Committee-Edward
Bcechcr II. W SAGE II. r. Raymond, J. y. Hutchinson,
Augustus storrs, William Mackay, aud :. V. White
PlyaoHh Church n tie - Sendch Grceisuq:
DEARLY BELOVED: Plymouth Church. after al exist
once OF nearly th'ty yt VI great uscinnesS hu" t-
good name called in question ON account OF the lriuc!-
pies ana rules adopted many earr ago Tor he regulation
Of it, internal 9hfs. i tld Pulpo' oi % iue % uS Iif
closing the churches OF Congregational faith ana order
the character OF this church. te rulcs. and lS proceed.
c0n from brethren under the Try ing circumstances
Advisory Council, ny pastor acting pastor and dele
gate at Plymouth Church Brooklyn y y, Oh Tuc-day
the 18th day Of February at - ILL., 10 CONSIDER ANA ad-
T. IS tbs church aching contrary to the Word Of GOD in
allowing any mode OF terminating the connection oi
members vi this church, Other tnan death letter On da
mission. or formal excominunicdliont
H. Rule No. Of this cdIch Is In INC following Nnfhs
D,opDDG NcmJrs-Mc LENDERS may De dropped non h' i0i
s by twotirds vote Of the church, upOI, the
daon of the Examining Committee either upon theit ow az
picaOn IN case they have abandoned tht "h
he church by prolonged absence on Otherwise uOA the ap
pary can bo found and 20 afford him a. u hearing,
before the church II desired, would be- afforded upon
formal trial Members dropped under TINS ne sub
jected express censure and 20 no further Implied
than such f any necosar, arises OUT OF tt
facts OF each particular Under this ue e cAufch
~ proceed upon written charges, or by "a
formal trial such as had IN eases Of alleged lnInO
aty) specially desired by the member whose case
il under ideIatOn In this Tle or IN these IIac
tees this church acting incOnssteuiy with the Word
OF God, or the principles Of thristan justice
III. What ought this church 10 adopt cODccTn
Ing the following classes OF members;
Ityst: MemneTs who deliberately, pulpOseh, and per
ranently absent themselves from all She services and
meetings Of the church, without asking for letter. Of dis
miss on upon the sole ground that tie church has not
tsken certain steps (uOt affecting them personality
which these members profess 10 bcicse
n ought TO have aken, but which they neyor asked 70
take go
sseond: Members who absent themselves IN hke
manner upon the ground, with tbe difference that
they have asked the church To take such steps that
the church has with substantial unaninty, declined to
do
Third Members who absent Themselves In like manner
upon the sole ground that they believe the pastor 0 thc
church 10 be guilty OF crime Notwithstanding the chnrch
has made all the investigation into the fdcts which ~ was
ever asked make and has acquitted anu sustained is
pastor without "a dissenting vote.
Fourth Members who absent fhtinst es IN llht man
ner for some all Of the sODs before stated.
FiIth Members who generally reported ana nc
oycd 10 have made charges or iuHlnuat0hs oi gioSs
immortality against other members oi the chuch, AMI
who decline either 10 airn or dcny The uuh ot shch
reports VI Of S1ch charge, Tncn properly Ge,tiVned '!