The New York herald., 1876-02-22

n..ep. with the word of God GSrAs prin9SAes of
Christian Justice" ."
caanipss en- TAird |sSRSn-tfrvsiden. s.urtsvant,
Illinois College; bSnA Warren Currier. 81 Louis: Pro-
fessor DwighI Yxle College, President Earchild ober-
lin Oolsgei Professor Paine, Bangor, Ne. Hon NJ Z.
Grnneh Grinnen, III Dr. Edward Strong, Boston
Third Question.-What course ought this church 10
ADOPT concerning the following classes OF MEMBERS
\ Members who deliberately, purposely and per-
manenty absent themselves from the services and
meetings OF the church. without asking letters OF
dismssion upon the ground that the church has not
taken certain steps mot anectlng them personally
II ought to have taken but which they never asked
Members who absent themselves In like manner
upon the same ground with the difference that they
have asked the church TO take such steps and that the
church has with substantial unanimy, declined 70 10
3 Members who absent themselves in like manner
upon the ground that they believe the pastor OF the
church to be guilty of crime, Notwithstanding the
church has made complete aud exhaustive an lnVes
tigation into the facts church could make ana mas
acquitted and sustained It's pastor Without ulssenhB
voice.
| A Members who absent themselves in like manner
for some or all OF the reasons before stated
s. Members who are generally reported and believed
have made charges insinuations Of gross immoral
ty against other members Of the church, and who de-
cline either affirm deny the truth OF such reports
OF such charges, when properly questioned by suit
able brethren Tor the sake OF the purity and peace OF
The report on this question embraced the following
Recommendations
I In the first specification labor with the members; II
they return let them alone, suspend or drop
them, according 10 the varying nature OF the cases
In the second specification do the same. In neither
refuse such members letters Of dismssion II they
are otherwise in good standing.
The third specification is declared TO be answered in
the the first and second, subject 70 the
report which the committee on the fourth question
shall make whom referred the suficiency of the
action Of the church in reference 10 the mutual council
matter
The fourth specification is answered the same as the
third
The nfh specification is the Bowen case and the later
action OF the church toward hr Bowen is sustained,
with statement that II had been better to have been
The fourth question is about Mr. Vests application
for q mutual council-TIs Plymouth TO blame for his
not getting onef The committee Isl
Committee Fourth QIsestion-Rey. G. B. Spauid-
ing Dover N. h. Rev. " |. Gage, Rev. J. M Cham
Hon W A Hyde, ware, Mass. /; Rev. J. E Twichell,
Fourth ouestion.-ought this church to have called
Of % investigating @ the Character q ts passQr yhen
quested TO do so by member OF the cnurcn nss
never submitted any charges aga,ps' ns pastor and
than year after investigation has been had by
the church itself and the pastor has been sustained BY
The report fs hed mainly to be embraced In the th
question, which is with It's committee as follows-
Fifth Question. the course of Plymouth church,
and of the committee appointed by 1T In the conduct
OF negotiations between the church and Mrs Moulton
concerning the call OF proposed mutual council been
wise and Just, has there been the part
OF the church this matter which it should correct
Committee FiftA QuestioR--Dr Samuel Woicott,
President Porter. t = Yale College Hon B. K Wood AZ
bany; Hon. R. Brinkerhof Mansfield, Ohio Rev. G.
D. Barrows, Lowell, Mass DR.. George Field, Bangor,
Me-
The church is exonerated from the failure to give
Mrs. Moulton mutual council, and tho churchs plan
for q council OF non-loca churches Is commended.
sixth Question Plymouth church In the princi-
Piles and rules which 1t has provided for the manten
OF order and the administration OF dsciplneor
in anv known OF Its administration under those
principles and rucs-gone beyond its rights as church
Of Christ so as Justly to forfeit It's claim to the CONT
and aIiAva Mn Of Cnnn n
Comnittee Si1h Quesfion-Presdent Strong,
HorthGeld Mimi: DR.. E. P. Parker, Hartford, Conn.
Lewiston, Me-: Dr.. r. Corkley, Flint Mich. Rev.
Henry Hopkins westield, Mass Lowell Mason, Or
The decision on the sixth question that Plymouth
church is entitled to fellowship, and majority declare
In favor of the adequacy Of the Investigations already
had, though . minority OF the committee favored
strongly another investigation The report will re-
ceive further consideration
THE ANDovER APPLICATION
referred to a special committee, consisting OF Rev.
Dr. Bacon, Professor Dwight, Rev. G. B. Spauldng,
DR.. Wellman, Dr. s Wolcott, B. r. Wood and j. b.
GrinnelL
Dr. Bacon holds that while one church has the power
TO ask mutual council the power does not meet this
case, for the that investigation has been
held; Professor Dwight denies the power under Con-
grcgatonal usage. DR.. Wolcott and j. B. Grinnell
favor the Andoyer application, without indorsns the
statements made
Really on all Of the six questions noted, the commit
tees have reported in favor of Plymouth church
When the proceedings, above detailed, had been
consummated the Council adjournd until hafpas seven
O'Clock.
THE EVENING SESSION.
The Council met again at hafpast seven NJ There
was, Unexpectedly, long time devoted TO the consd
Grafton of the first question, which really de-
cared none OF the members deem OF especial
quence Finally the decision upon IL was, with the
port Of the committee In favor of Plymouth church
Then came the consideration Of the report on the
sixth question
on the two questions named the debate long and
animated, lasting until nearly ten o'clock. In relation
to the sixth question nearly definite decision
decided council shall
the close OF the session. consider neediul fur
ther Investigation concerning the condust of Mr..
Beecher Is necessary, either TO the Congregational de-
nomination or 10 himself, a committee shall be ap-
pointed by the Council to take the whole hand,
aear testimony and report its judgment
When that conclusion had been reached the Council
adjourned to this morning at halEpast nine O'Clock.
sDurpg all the evening session there was not word
OF reference made TO either the communication from
Mr.. Moulton that from Mr. Bowen.
n Y