The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-02-19
The Beecher Advisory Council.


ChurCh peing Hileu win interested speCta-
tors. Deacon Capen of Boston introduced
a preamble and resolution setting forth
that,
Whereas, AS question six of the letter
mi'sive asked them to decide whether there
were any reasons why Plymouth church
had forfeited Its claim to the confidence
and fellowship of the Congregational
church; therefore be 1t
Resolved, That this council respectfully
request Rev. Richard II. Storrs, d. D.,
and Rev. William Ives Buddlngton, d. D.,
to appear before 1t and state such reason,
IL there be any
In speaking to the resolution Deacon
Capen said that he did see how any del
egates could conscientiously vote on the
question without first having heard the
statements of the other side. When he
came to the council 1t was with determi-
nation to go to the bottom of this thing,
and he did not know how they could 60
home without having done so. The dis
cussion was interrupted, and the resolutions
laid over temporarily. A resolution was
adopted to invite Bowen to appear before
the council at 1880 o'clock tonight. A
communication from Prof. Smythe of An
dover, was presented and referred to the
business committee.
At the afternoon session OF the advisory
council, DIR. Strong Of Boston offered the
following as a substitute for the resolution
offered by the committee
Resolved, That the council now in ses
zion In Plymouth church, extend cordial
invitation TO the Rev. r. 8. Storrs, d. d.,
and the Rev. William Ives Burlington, d.
d., to come before the council to aid us
with any facts which may be within their
knowledge as touching the questions be-
fore the council.
A delegate asked what the committee
expected to reach by inviting these two
ministers
DIR. Strong said that the committee were
unanimous in the desire that 1t should be
adopted. Should they shut out any body
they would be doing an injury to Ply
mouth church.
Judge Whitney said he considered it more
important to hear these two gentlemen than
any Others who could be invited to appear
before The council.
. The moderator, DR.. Bacon, said that
from the first he had been impressed with
the fitness of inviting these two brethren to
appear as brethren before this council.
They should not be summoned as witnesses.
but as brethren to come in and make any
statement in relation to the questions
before it. After further discussion the
resolution was adopted, and committee
of three appointed to invite Drs. Storrs and
Buddington to appear before the council.
A motion was. adopted to adjourn from
noon tomorrow until Monday, at 9 o'clock.
Opportunity was given to the Plymouth
church committee'to make additional state
ments, and Sherman said he had been in
structed by the committee to lay before the
council paper which had not been pre-
sented to the church, for the reason that
meeting could not be called since it had
been received. He then read letter from
Andover seminary proposing mutual
council. This letter provoked great deal
of Discussion, and was eventually referred
to committee of three.
Deacon Isaac Clafn Of Lombard, Illinois,
wanted to have it stated in the report of
the committee whether or not the Andover
Seminary church had right under the
rules of congregatipnallsm t., call this
council He made long rambling ad-
dress and was interrupted several times by
delegates raising points of order.
MIR. Sherman in reply to the question
relating to further investigation of the
charges against the pastor by the church,
said the first reason why they had not
opened the case again was because no
charges had been presented.
Mr. Beecher also spoke at some length
ON the subject, his point being that he was
tired of a community who had not sense TO
read the court reports of the case and stop
continually sending complaints that they
had not challenged the world as witnesses.
DR.. Wolcott's resolution, that Henry &.
Bowen be invited to communicate to this
council any evidence he might have in re-
gard to the questions before it, was adop-
ted
H. W. Raymond stated that further in
vesligation was not required by man, wo-
mon OF child in Plymouth church.
Dr. Bacon, on behalf of the committee
to invite Drs. Storrs and Buddington, re-
ported that they had seen and been re-
ceved kindly by both gentlemen and both
OF them had said they had nothing to COM
municate to the council. The report was
adopted and the council adjourned.
HENRY c. BowEN's STATEMENT.
The crowd of people that attended the
evening session was so immense that it
was found necessary to close the doors
about seven o'clock in order TO prevent any
more entering. 1t was estimated that
were about 5000 people present The
Rev. DIR. Fay of Bangor, led in prayer,
after which the assistant moderator, ex-
Gov. Dingley, said that the hour having
arrived at which Mr.. Heniy G. Bowen was
asked to appear, they would proceed at
once with his examination. Bowen ac-
companied by DIR. w. E. Ward of the In
dependent had come in previously and
seated himself near the platform which he
now ascended.
DIR. Bacon propounded the questions.
After reading Bowen's communication,
he said that the first question he would ask
would be; Who told you that you were
not wanted by the committee?
Mr.. Bowen replied that he did not re-
has IL. a.