Nebraska advertiser., 1876-02-10
Bowen and Beecher.

Plymouth Church for some incon-
ceivable reason has, for some time,
been prosecuting Henry G. Bowen,
one of the oldest members of that
church and one of its founders and
one who has had as much opportuni
ty as any one to know what manner
of man its pastor is. Mr.. Bowen,
whose reticence has been marked and
remarkable since the commencement
OF the scandal, has finally become so
provoked that he has written letter
indicating that he is posted on Mr..
Beecher's ways, and challenges Ply
mouth Church TO investigate him, as
it has, for some time, apparently had
a strong desire to do. The following
are extracts from Mr.. slengtby
letter:
do not propose now to give in de-
tail facts which have come TO my
knowledge, disclosures and confiden-
tial communications which have from
time to time been presented or COM
municated to me in regard to the
character of Henry Ward Beecher;
to his dishonorable conduct in busi-
ness affairs; to his treacherous treat
ment of friends; to his breaking of
written covenants: to his untruthfui
statements in courts; to his lodging
thorough investigations into his con-
duct and character; to his stolid in
difference when unjust charges, ma
licious ISLANDERS, have been made
against particular members of his
church to his recent contradictory
utterances in regard to what he char
acterizes as hodge podge council,
composed of wolves and foxes, like
Drs. Storrs and Buddington. At one
time he said he had never pointedly
objected TO it, but In regard to which
be did on other occasions. positively
say. II won't have anything to do
with it," and finally by his coarse
abuses, slanderous charges of perjury,
uttered boldly and publicly in his own
lecture room, against an honest Chris
tian woman. who had dared, as he al
legged, to speak the truth concerning
him.
With this brief reference to matters
which have had an influence in form.
ing my judgment, l will now hasten
to tell you frankly what are my con-
clusions In regard to the character Of
the pastor of Plymouth Church: /
have known Mr.. Beecher quite inti-
mately since the day of his arrival in
Brooklyn. / have been acquainted
with him socially and privately in the
church and in the family. in business
matters have heard attentively. but
with profound grief, what has been
said to me coDfidentially against him;
I have felt my heart stirred to its
depths for dear friends. who. years
before the present scandal was pub.
lished. sorrowfully begged my coun-
sci. as they assured me that their pas
tor and mine had craftily betrayed the
sanctity of home. the very charge
long after presented to me by Theo-
dore Tilton in regard to his own home.
Now being summoned here to speak,
and to speak the truth, the whole
truth. and nothing but the truth. /
sOlemnly give it as my view of all the
facts and evidences presented to me,
that Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. with
out even the shadow of dnubt in my
mind, is guilty of the awful crimes of
adultery. perinry. and Hypocrisy
This is my deliberate opinion. and I
may be permitted to affirm that 7 give
it calmly, without malice and with no
other than desire to do my duty
faithfully to God. to man, the church
and TO the world.
Mr. Bowen was before O committee
of the church when he presented this
letter. Wonder how the committee
liked it.