The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-11
Bowen and Plymouth Church Com.
mlatee.

BROOKLYN, February l0.-At a meet
ing of the Plymouth Church Committee
tonight, Henry =. Bowen, who had
been summoned to appear and testify as
to the fac.s known TO him in reference TO
the charge against Henry Ward Beecher,
read a statement in which he alluded TO
the unfairness and Irregularities of the
procedure but said that, MS he wished TO
assist the Committee TO make the
examination thorough and conclu-
sive, he would make the following
proposition: | propose that three men
within the Congregational body be
selected, distinguished for their wisdom
and impartiality, suck Tor example as Pre-
sident Warlsey, President Asa ID. Smith,
President Fairchild, Judge Foster, Hon.
Alpheus Hardy or the Hon. julius Ii.
Seiay. men in whose decision the world
will feel confidence, who shall be pledged
10 keen all such evidence secret, before
whom only Mr.. Bsecher and nyselt shall
appear, with our witnesses, and
before whom / will consent,
withsst any reserve whatever, and
as soon as they can meet, TO give in
full this evidence, which has led me TO
10 say that have no doubt Mr.. Beecher
is guilty Of adultery, hypocrisy and pur-
Jury. | ask nothing more than that
they shall fully consider the questions
which you seem TO have before you.
Whether l deserve ecclesiastical censure
for my previous silence in reference 10
Beecher and whether am now justified
by facts in my possession in making what
YOU call infamous allegations and insln-
uations about him made in response 10
your demand for reply to Mr.. Whites
grievances" i am willing 70 abide by
the censure or approval of such body
Of men, if Mr.. Beecher and Plymouth
Church will also submit 10 their decision.
| reafirm everything have stated
about Henry Ward Beecher in
my previous communication TO
YOU, and | am ready 70 substantiate
It before such a tribunal.
Very respectfully,
HENRY &. Bowen.
The committee decided not 10 accept
Bewen's proposition, because it was not
A case between Beecher and Bowen, but
a case betwee Plymouth Church and
Bowen, and should not be withdrawn
from the chsrch and taken before
Strangers.
Bowen said it appeared that he was
not on trial before them, and protested
against the justice of summoning him
for trial and expecting him 10 an.
.wer on such short notice. lie asked
for ten DAYS in whichto consult the prop
or documents, data and mehnoranda
referring 70 the case. At the end OF that
time he would appear before them and
answer any questions that might be pro-
posed TO him. he requested copies OF
the charges and specifications 10 be fur
nished him. He was ready at any mo-
ment 10 answer any question which re-
terred 10 essential facts, only he was not
ready for trial. After consultstion, the
following resolutions were adopted by
the committee:
First-The COMMITTEES decline 70 ac-
cede 10 Mr.. Bowen's request for further
adjournment.
Second-Thst they now urge him 10
state any facts in his possession in sup
port Of the allegations that he has made
affecting the character Of our pastor.
Third-ThAt if he now decline 10
state such facts, We shall, tomorrow
! evening, report 10 the church the action
which has been taken and ask Tor in
| structions.
Mr.. Bowen then said that a. the Gem
mittee refused 10 give him the necessary
time TO prepare g reply, be must with
draw. he then read the following paper:
"Had you adopted my answer 70 Mr.
White and then invited me ~ fellow
member. IN the interests Of the purity ot
the Church, TO state the facts 70 which
referred. that you might know
whether or not the pastor was .
good man, / should have been
Obliged 70 answer without further
ceremony, but you cannot now put your
selves on that ground. You tell ms
that my case is on trlal, and now
have right 10 insist on ordering th'
trial. l was not ready 10 speak during
the years that / kept SILENT but / ar
now ready, when properly put on tris
before any proper tribunal or before
you. but / must decline at this notice
and in this irregular way 70 answer
your questions tonight He again Ap
pealed 70 them on leaving the reom Y
give him time 10 prepare 8 reply. Mr.
| Rowan then withdrew