The New York herald., 1876-02-25
It's Public DeliVerance in Plymouth
Church Last Night.
A SCANDAL BUREAU INSTITUTED.
Mr.. Beecher's Assertion OF
His Innocence.
ANDOVER's PROPOSAL REJECTED.

Illinois in the chair After the usual devotional exer-
cIses Dr. Lyman Abbott made report concerning the
delegation from Kansas, the popularity in the
being that the two delegates who had presented them
selves were laymen, while the call for ayman
and clergyman The report stated that the church
was without clergyman, and that both the delegates
had como on in good faith. Both admitted to the
roll
Then followed what promised TO be an interesting
debate the resolutions offered by Dr. Bell and pub
hshed In the HERALD some days ago, declaring Mr..
Beecher innocent of the charges against him. The
committee reported that the Council had not been
called to settle that question: and that the resolutions
were therefore OF order. Dr. Abbott called DR..
Bell to say why the resolutions should pass DR.. Bell
then spoke strongly favor OF the resolutions and not
only that but strongly In favor Of having all that was
said and done in regard to the question by the Council
given the public through the press He opposed
60 sessions OF council called to advise ques-
tions which had OF world wide interest and he
felt that the Council would fail in important duty to
the Church II adjourned without giving public express
sion Of Its opinion in regard tot Nevertheless he had
agreed with the chairman Of the Business Committee
to withdraw the resolutions rather than have single
vote against them, the ground that they were
not properly before the Council
Rev H. NJ. storrs and charged Dr. Bell with
having furnished information Of the proceedings to re
porters for the press.
Dr. Bell said he glad that Mr. Storrs had brought
the subject up. He said he had held connection with
than secret order and thought he understood
what properly organized secret order was and also
what advisory council He was sure that 1t was
not in the proper of the term secret society
and he did not propose to consider it. addition
10 that ne free to say that he
believed he understood the mission OF the
press, which was really omnipotent in the United
States, and therefore he had considered it
his duty to see 10 it that, in so far as
he able to it, the press should make any
mistakes regard to the proceedings OF the Council
He had, therefore, given TO of the reporters an
outline OF the proceedings that he had done
right So thought the Council and the subject was
dropped.
Next followed the reading OF the report OF the Com.
mittee of Nine, given below The reading by President
Porter not carried beyond the fifth question
in all Of which, is known to the readers
OF the HERALD, the Council is nearly unani-
nous. sThere merely verbal alterations made
10 be incorporated in the harmonized repor,
below, those who made them being Dr. Bacon Presi-
dent Porter, DR. Warren, Professor Dwight, Dr. L.
Abbott, Or. Parker, Revs. H. NJ Storrs and Twltch-
ell DR. Wocott and DIR. Sturtevant These really un-
important changes occupied the time Of the Council
until the recess, which was taken until two p NJ
On reassembling the consideration of the sixth ques
tion touching the necessity further investigation
of the charges against Mr. Beecher taken up again
continued until close of the secret session the
result be known in the report OF the Commit
tee OF Nine which would be read the open meeting
60 be held al haii-past seven O'Clock.
EVENING SESSION
The open meeting held in Plymouth church last
night for the purpose OF receiving the report OF the
Committee OF Nine to which cd the matter of
making condensed report OF the result the delib
erations OF the Advisory Council OF the longest
ever held that cdince The majority Of those pres
ent ladies. The seats in the body Of the church
were reserved for the Council
As the hands OF the clock pointed TO the appointed
hour there appeared to be general hush of expeca.
ton, which rendered intense by Mr
Beeeher suddenly ascending the platform and
advancing to the reading desk He ad-
dressed few words TO the assemblage admonshing
those present OF personal favor TO himself
abstain from all cheering applause on tho reading
OF any document or on any verbal report being made
He said ''lf you clap your hands yoa will knock me
down. Any one that cheers would Kill me- " lie con.
ciuded by saying Let this meeting be more reserved
and quiet even than IL is on Sabbath morning /
make this request for think II would DO the utmost
bad taste TO greet the result Of the deliberations OF
great council like this with secular dramatic
demonstration. All those who my friends will
therefore keep perfectly silent"
The delegates composing the Council slowly dropped
IN after this speech and patiently waited the arrival of
their brethren and the Committee OF Nine from whom
so much was expected At ten minutes TO eight
O'Clock the organ peaied FORTH and the Of dele
gates filed in FROM either door at each side of
the pulpit Az this time there was not even stand
ing outside OF the space aside for the Conn.
cii and even the delegates had 10 be accommodated
with seats IN the Aises. AS the members OF
the Council were seated the choir rose and sang the
ssTe deum."
which the Moderator stepped forward and read the de-
cisions OF the Council follows.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF NINE.
The Council in the discharge Of it's duties has besides
hearing the pastor and special committee signed tho
Ryst-From the Examining Committee Of Plymouth
Church which directly charged with the administration
ssT~a~Ffcm the members of the Investigating Com
animation OF the charges which publicly brought
TGSd-Frem Mr. H. G. Bowen in relation to the truth Of
statement eon'overted by him snd incidentally IN rea
Foah-From J. NJ Van cot in relation to the nesota-
ton between himself tbe representative Of Mrs Moul
ton and the Examining Committee Of Plymouth Church
They have % also essved protest s1ed By william =
90 the Plymouth church bv the congregational church in
Andoyer Theoloeea seminary inviting that church unite
Sf The purpose q nyes'gaIng the case Of Mr. Beeeher
Of Plymouth church for respecting a. this
msne'.Sn vas referred 70 = special committees, who read
appended g. this result -
Each oi the points to the Council was
inuted 70 large committee which made il the subject OF
careful consideration and elaborate report the
snt o. he INQUIRIES reports aud discussions the Council
l. The arst questions submitted TO the Council BY
Plymouth church relate TO the teaching Of The Scriptures
e9neerRng the method hy which the connection Of members
Christian justice She Word Of God special rule Of
in hs application Of this rule In answer questions
l. That person becomes a mem6sr Of the Church OF
Christ by and which directly TO Christ
himself In which IN its everlasting and
from the obligations Of which be released by
= Tha, person becomes member Of particular local
church BY entering into special covenant BY virtue Of
which he is nbe the church tor his conformity
the Law Of Christ and the church responsible him
that this responsibility does the church BY
formal incorporate has declared dissolution Of
the covenanIn
3 That church may declare itself released from all re-
nbiity fOr member - By finally separating from
it, fellowship with often giving him fair and
AL reasonable bring him % repentance
= it may do the without formal ccnsure in many
In which signifies By his thai he
Owned fellowship With that church in doctrine Worship
or Christian sympathy. g. Tie that q mem
Der should openly aud noorouay abandon
with the church. and also be charged With scandaous Of
fence. either oy public By specific ale gaona In
such case the church may 70 avoid scandal
wise discretion In selecting the offence which
him from its fellowship discharge itself from
further responsibility for hs conduct character
We believe that these prncinles all Scrptura and
acted In the standardization OF discipline in churches
present y