The New York herald., 1876-02-24
Remarkable Scene at the Session Of the
Examining Committee.
HENRY c. BOWEN A PRISONER
The Press Called Upon to Release
Him from Durance

(. The Advisory Council for Plymouth church gath
cred again At halfpast nine yesterday morning, with
the Assistant Moderator, Governor Dingley in the
chair After the usual devotional exercises the first OF
the business proceedings effort on the part OF
= delegate TO ascertain by what means the press was
obtaining reports of the proceedings OF the
Council while in secret The delegates expressed
themselves variousy in relation TO the publication Of
their proceedings, ALL however, acknowledging the
of the HERALDs reports but finally to the
conclsioa that they could not prevent the pubca
tion OF what they DONG they should congratulate
themselves the fact that the reports accu
rate and impartial
AS president Of the special committee Of seven to
whom was referred the letter OF Andover church
auesting Plymouth church to unite call for a
tua council to investigate the charges against Henry
Ward Beecher, Dr. Bacon for Professor Dwight Rev.
8. d. Spaulding, DR.. Weman, DR.. Wolcot Hon. b. II.
Wood and Hon J. B. Grinnel OF the committee pre-
Sentec report in which the Andovcr church
plimented Then however, 1t stated that by the rules
governing such In the Congregational denomina
ton II was acknowledged that church has the power
TO ask tor such council but that the power does not
apply in the pre- sent case, where an investigation has
been held In of the facts under which the letter
written and the fact that the church had made
Investigation already the committee favored the be-
hef that the invitation not in accordance with Con-
Kregatonal poty, and, therefore, should not be
septed by Plymouth church.
Without action the above report the Council came
again the consideration of the sixth question: which
had been the burden of the deliberations Of the previ
Gus day
The third point in the report already noted in the
HERALD was taken up, divided, as it had been, into
three parts-hrst on the approval OF Plymouth
church. investigation in 1874 and its work; second
The advisabilty OF further investigation; third on the
method OF such proposed further investigations
The debate these points occupied the attention OF
lhe Council during all OF the morning and nearly all OF
The afternoon session. the speakers being, the main,
the same as those OF the previous day.
DIR. Strong again supported the action Of the COM
mittee in making the report.
Presideni Sturtevent held precisely the same views
rs before claiming that the investigation made by the
committee OF 1874 was not so searching as II should
have been; that more should have been invited to APP
pear than invited. and that the investigation
should have covered all the ground indicated by those
who had interest in the case.
Rev. Henry NJ Storrs defended the action OF
Plymouth church, but yet did not oppose a renewal OF
The investigation
Dr. Parker spoke against IT, as also did several
others II not until the time for the ADJOURN
ment of the afternoon session that definite conclu
sion arrived at
ject back to the committee for another report
which motion failed. Then, at length, followed
Council namcly:-rhat inasmuch as Plymouth church
has desired TO make another and fuller investigation it
be advised SO 10 do
The Council then took another until halfp past
seven O'Clock
EVENING SESSION.
The evening session OF the Council though very
long one, confined almost exclusively reading
and action the several reports. There very
little additional discussion OF any OF them saving that
which bore reference TO the Andover proposition, and
that was finally decided favor of the
committees report and against the request for
mutual council When that question had been thus
formally decided the reports were taken up seriatm
aud all OF them adopted leaving all the action in favor
OF Plymouth church
The reports, heretofore published substantially in
The HERALD, then turned to the committee OF
nine, which committee Is to harmonize their
tents" in one statement, which, alter 1t shall have
been adopted by the Council will stand the recorded
advice OF the Council on all the questions submitted.
The Council then adjourned until ten O'Clock this
morning, when II is expected the committee Of nine
will be ready with their harmoniZed statement, and as
It shall have been considered the
ings of the Council will be at end and only an open
meeting remain to close the Advisory Council
Tho Council have decided to make their formal
deverance this evening, and this will be done at a
public meeting to be held in Plymouth church. which
will be opened, as now expected, AT hai-past seven
o'clock, and the engrossed report will be read the
convenience Of the Council at a later hour.
The following preamble and resolutions adopted
by the plymouth church Advisory Council in their
OF yesterday afternoon, and officially pro-
mulgated-
Whereas many false and Injurious reports Of the proceed
ished; therefore
Resolved, That all public reports OF what is said
the private sessions of this body horzed
authentic and therefore deserving of public confidence
Resolved. That hereby collectively and Individually
dclaim all responsibility for statements that have
been may be attributed to us in such reports
JOSEPH b. CLARK. Scribe Of Council