The Portland daily press., 1876-03-02
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
LAST NIGHTS MEETING.
Bowen Appears but Refuses to
Answer Questions.
HE WANTS TO BE HEARD In SECRET.
Charges Of SANDER Preferred
AGAINST Him.

New YORK, March 1.-The members of Ply
mouth church exclusively were admitted to an
adjourned business meeting this evening" to
hear Bowen's answers to questions before the
church by the examining committee as to his
charges against Beecher. A letter in reply to
the Andover Theological Seminary for mutu-
al council, rejecting the offer was read BY
Beecher and adopted.
Edgerton. the Moderator, then called up the
resolution requiring Bowen to answer orally the
questions relative to his insinuations against
the pastor. 4 resolution by Beecher, that the
examining committee conduct the questioning,
was passed. On motion of member Mr.. Bow.
ems letter to the examining committee was laid
aside.
Clerk Tilney then asked Bowen who, with his
sons and Dr. Ward of the Independent, sat in
the front seats:
When did any facts first come to your knowl-
edge affecting the moral character of the pas
tor?
Bowen-The essential facts are already in the
hands of the examining committee. All the
church has to do is to demand them from that
committee. AS long as the church refuses to
hear what it has in its own hands it is mere
bravado to ask me more.
Mr.. Tilney lin reply)-I would say we have
not received a single fact from Mr.. Bowen.
(Applause.)
said he was before the examining committee.
He had enough to convince him of Beecher's
guilt but he could not lie and was compelled to
be silent Naughter.) The consequences fell
on him and on Beecher; on Beecher as penal
ty, and on him for bringing his condolences to
leaky vessel (Laughter)
A member here called attention to the fact
that Bowen was reading from paper whereas
he was summoned to answer orally.
Bowen (angriy)-I have the floor.
The Member-Mr. Bowen knows what the in
vitation means, and he ought to be compelled
to answer orally.
Brother Raymond moved that as this was
probably the last time Mr.. Bowen would be
heard he be allowed to read laughter
Beecher ,interposed and said the church was
a household. They had no judicial power.
When man was so long member as Brother
Bowen he ought to have his own way. Gap
plause)
Mr.. Bowen was then allowed to proceed He
said (from his written statement) that he knew
er's guilt. The church examining committee
compelled him against his will to tell the rea-
son for his silence. He told them that he had
hadTeasons for believing Mr.. Beecher an i'm
pure man aud that he could tell the reasons be-
fore proper tribunal, but that he would never
give the names Taking advantage of this the
church committee demanded all the names and
particulars. He then offered to go before Sc
cret tribunal, which was refused. He then
went before the committee, giving facts but
withholding names, though force was used,
and seeing how Mrs. Moulton suffered, they
might demand eternalIy but he would refuse.
A member here queried whether Mr. Bowen
still refused to give names and facts.
Mr.. Bowen (excitedly)-I do, and that is my
full answer. 1t is no benefit to me to be silent,
but must and will protect those names to the
best of my power. Mr.. Bowen then offered to
go before Mr.. Mckay, Mr.. Garbett and Mr.. S.
v White and give them the facts that very
moment which convinced him that Beecher
was an adulterer, the names to be kept secret.
Beecher objected to secrecy. Giving names
of women SO long dead left other names open
to suspicion (Aoplause.) He protested against
secrecy. He had no reason for it. (Applause.)
s. v White objected to receiving gross accus.
nations against the pastor and keeping them
secret. Applause
Brother Nc Kay urged that Beecher had as
much interest as any one in facts and that
brother Bowen should tell what he knew or
take back all his accusations against the
pastor.
Brother Sherman said they were not answer
able for shy insinuations. They wanted to
make the brother answcrable while he was
alive. He (Bowen) goes everlastngly damned
unless he makes out his case. Mr. Sherman
proposed to accept Bowens proposition, the
com mittee to keep all names secret except from
Mr.. Beecher.
Mr.. Beecher objected TO star chamber pro-
ceedings. His tongue was not tied. He had
lain under that thing about as long as he mean
to. [applause.]
Bowen here handed up note to the effect
that he would meet The three gentlemen named
and give them the facts which convinced him
long ago that Beecher was an adulterer only
asking that the names be kept absolutely
secret. He moved that the committee pledge
themselves to absolute secrecy-a pledge of
honor to him.
Beecher said he hoped this would not prevent
the parties being present by friends or counsel.
Bowen-I will not accept that. daughter
MIR. Shearman-Except Mr.. Beecher and his
counsel.
Mr.. Beecher-I don't want any counsel.
Mr.. Bowen-I will not accept it. daughter
don't want a six months investigation.
Mr.. Beecher-It is too bad for a man that sat
fifteen years at the communion table taking
the bread and wine and knowing as he saws.
that was an adulterer (applause),
The motion that the parties be present with
counsel or friend was passed.
A motion by Mr.. Sherman that Bowen
have one LAWYER or more before the committee
passed, Mr.. Bowen crying mo, no."
Mr.. Clarence Bowen with an amendment and
was ruled out.
A report of the examining committee charg-
ing Bowen with SANDER was adopted, and the
committee of three were authorized to summon
Mr.. Bowen before them and report.
Mr.. Bowen was then requested to retire with
the committee of three and declined.
The examining committee then reported va
rious charges of unchristian conduct against
Bower, and the matter was referred to Messrs,
r. w. Ropes. G. Christiancy, H. L. Pratt, E.
A. Second and Samuel Beecher to report next
Friday evening, various desultory motions to
expel Bowen beng ruled down.