The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-12

NEW YeRK, February ll.-At the sd-
journed annual meeting Of Plymouth
Church tonight q dismissal was granted
Charles Z. Duncan, at his request. The
clerk then -ead the report Of the Exam
ining Committed, detailing tho several
meetings between il and Bowen. When
the reading was concluded, 5. V. White
offered resolution, which, after several
amendments was adopted, as follows:
Resolved, That the whole matter
OF the insinuations or accusations
of ii. Z. Bowen against the
pastor Of this church, bc referred back
10 the Examining Committee, with in
structions to continue the investigation
begun by them, and that they be in
structed to summon said Bowen before
them, having first given him ten days
notice of the trial and OF the place of
meeting, and TO notify him that he will
b. asked 10 state any and every tact in
his knowledge tending TO support the
charges contained In his letter OF the ith
inst, and TO give the names OF all the
witnesses known 10 him, by whom any
of the facts in his possession may be
proved, and 10 submit ~ such other
and further thorough and rigid enamina.
tion as shall be necessary and proper to
elicit the fullest possible vestigsiion.
Mr.. Beecher said ne was far from feel.
ing in a spirited humor. A controversy
betw pastor and member Of n
church was very sad thing 10 bear. \
quarrel was TO him in the nature of "A
funeral service. Mr.. Bowun was one
of the oldest members Of the church, but
no must not forget that Mr.. Bowcn's
threshold wss the first he crossed In com.
ing TO Brooklyn. lie could not
think OF anything moro sad than
to find n man with whom he
had walked arm in arm, and with whom
he had taken counsel, and whose hospi-
tality be had shared, turned against
him. Beecher had thus far spoken very
quietly aad sadly, but now hc burst
forth in laundering tones, throwing III
his words all the vebemence possible Ia
him. lie said that II, for tho last fifteen
wears or more, Mr.. Bowen had been
in possession of these facts, aud
never broached them before him
or before any officer Of the church
he was guilty Of breaking his covenant
with the church, and he ourght 10 be- oN-
PEELED. II he the speaker was what hc
was alleged to b", he should have been
turned out Of church long ago. He was
not guilty, and the allegations made by
Mr.. Bowen were false. He would pro-
nounce them so. lie referred sarcasti-
cally 10 the fact that Mr.. Bowen had not
time 10 prepare to answer the questions,
but said that he had time 10 charge
him with being \ criminal, tho boldncss
of which the three epithets used by him
could hardly compass. There should bc
no secrecy IN tho matter II ho could help
it and everything should bo sift"d L.
the very bottom Mr.. Beecher had now
allowed his voice 10 die down 10 one in
which were expressed mingled sadness
and reproach, when suddenly burstihg
forth with his loudest and most vehement
tones said, "As for myself, ! pro.
nonnce the allegations 1 false, and
with Almighty Cod before mo and the
Judgment Day, srraign him as sIAn
derer and q liar" Then, a. he sat down,
was enacted scene which has never but
twice before taken place in Plymouth
Church lecture rooms clapping 81 hand.
stamping OF fest, and men following
plaudits at their pastor, while his vito
bowed her head IN her hands and w"p.
bitterly for some moments. Tho meet
ing then adjourned.