The New York herald., 1876-03-02
A Lively Meeting in the
Church Last Night.
BEECHER AND BOWEN FACE TO FACE.
The Accusing Member Still Re-
fuses to Reveal.
SCATHING REJOINDER BY THE PASTOR.

~
congregation sgrr .dcstions, touching the
moral character and reciude OF Mr. Beecher, might
be propounded TO him. II believed that Mr.
Bowen would not respond in person 10 the summons
OF the church. but TO the surprise OF everybody Mr.
Bowen did attend and assisted very materially n
enlivening the proceedings. Owing TO the adoption
Of ticket system for admission a crush avoided,
nearly all who gained being able TO obtain
seats.
Mr.. Bowen came in at precisely half-past and
accompanied by his four and by the Rev. DIR.
Ward, OF the Independent. The party entered by the
Cranberry and occupied seats the plat
form. Mr. Bowen wore plain black suit OF clothes,
large diamond pm and placid countenancc. Dr. Ward
was serene and the young of the party seemed in
an excellent mood for the approaching entertainments
On the left of tho platform and in commanding
position sat Mr. Bcecher, Mr. Shearman, Mr. f.
Tracy and Mr.. BLAIR.
THE ASDovER APPEAL ANSWERED.
The proceedings werc opened by prayer by Brother
Reuben Ropes, after which Mr. Bcecher read lettenn
reply the Andover church epstle calling for mutual
council. The document stated that Plymouth
church would have replied TO their brethren OF
Andover at earlier day had II not been
that the Advisory Council was in session
when their letter received. In accordance
with the advice of this council Plymouth church can
comply with the Andovcr request, but If Andover
then Plymouth will be glad TO have such information
laid before the Scandal Committee of five recently
appointed.
rhc letter adopted by the church. and II will be
forwarded TO Andover.
The moderator announced the real object the meet
ing, and on motion of Mr. Bcecher directed that tho
regular business be proceeded with, and called
upon the clerk for The reading OF the rcso
the reading Mr.. Bcccher took chair and sat
beside his wife, who occupied position very near the
Bowen party He was evidently agitated and his face
yer
passive At the conclusion OF the reading Mr. Beechcr
moved that the Examining Committee and the modera-
conduct the questioning and that after they were
done, any member could PROFOUND question by first
submitting It to the moderator in writing. The motion
carried
Mr.. Tncy suggested that Mr.. Bowen be invited TO
take seat upon the platform, and upon that gentle
would like TO ask Mr. Bowen at what time any facts
came to his knowledge affecting the moral character of
the pastor.
SPEECH OF MR.. BOWEN.
Mr. Bowen said in measured toues Mr.. Chairman,
the essential facts required OF me in the hands OF
the Examining Committee. II the church wants them
all II has to do to demand them of that
committee. So long as the church refuses TO hear
what II has in its own hands, II is mere bra7ado to ask
for more
A dead silence ensued, and the assembage awaited
the next development with apparent anxiety,
Mr.. Tney then said that yet not single fact had
been received from Mr.. Bowen.
At this the audience checred loudly. Mr. Tlney
went on TO say:-"What we want ana tie only fact
want are all the facts concerning which he has made
nnuendoes or Insinuatons.n
Mr.. Tilney resumed his seat, and Mr, Bowen arose
and confronted his auditors with a calm countenancc
He sad:-Mr. Chairman, | ask your attention to
this communication. BY this time my position in this
matter is ought TO be we'll understood by yoI Your
examining committee has sought evidence to convict
me OF slandering tho pastor They failed to find it.
Judging from their tactics They then summoned me
TO meet them and reply to a complaint that had
allowed people TO believe that knew something against
the moral character of Mr.. Beecher and that when
the question came up l evaded a direct reply The
charge against me was so FAR true. had been then
questioned and had evaded direct reply. 1t
had
such knowledge. | did know what sufficient
10 convince me of Mr. Beecher's guilt, and
Sbon, TSs put H' was controlled TO ua be nU sep.
let the consequences fall where they woud They fell
Inc and they Tell on Mr. Beecher They fell on me a
penalty for my indscretion in having once, under
peculiar circumstances OF excitement poured my con-
hdence into n leaking vessel
At this point Mr.. Blair rose to point OF order He
claimed then Mr. Bowen had not been invited there TO
read written documents, but TO answer orally such
questions as might be put TO HIM concerning his as
sociatiuns and insnuations against the pastor.
Rossitor W. Raymond suggested that Mr. Bowen be
allowed to proceed The latter sad:-'l think breth-
rem of Plymouth church that when get through with
this you will feel the pertinency Of It's being read in
your hearing tonight
Mr. Becchcr and said :-"I do not think that
are exactly in the nature OF court church is
household. We have no judicial power strictly, and
primitive power The whole power OF the church con-
ssts IN influence on the one side, and when
that does good than II has power 10
clear itself from responsibility That's all There
fore when any brother In the church especially when
that has been so long member as Mr. Bowen) has
occupied the relations which he has TO this church,
even he be out OF order or IL We be not pleased with
his method of traDsacng the business he has in hand
/ think matter of courtesy and kindness
he should be allowed to have his own way.
move that Mr. Bowen be allowed To proceed.
Mr.. Bowen proceeded as folows--rhe Examining
Committee compelled me against will to tell what
the rcsaon of my silence told them had knowl-
edge which satisfied me that Mr. Becchcr had been
impure man, and that before any proper tribunal |
would testify essential facts though I never
would be base enough to allow the TO bc
bruitcd before the world Taking advantage of
what hal thus said, and trading my honor and
faithfulncss in protecting any such name from ex-
posure, YOUR committee with great flourish then de-
manded all names aud particulars. | offered to give
them to an honorable tribunal constituted Tor secrecy
posal declined At last | did appear be-
fore even that committee aud gave the es-
sental facts with such particulars as TO prove
either that wiliuy fabricated them that had good
10 know that Mr.. Bcecher had snncd, said
he bad refused to answer any questions publicly
which would expose names, even though force at
tempted to compel me- ana should still have refused,
after seeing how Mrs rilton has suffered refused,
at no matter what damage TO myself, to put
any other woman in the same position. You may de-
mand IT ctcrnally but my sense of honor orbids
consent anu would rather Let my name 20 down to
the grave covered with undcscrvcd shame, IL has
been solcd with the loulcst and alsest abuse all
these years, before | will do what you bid me.
But fellow members OF Plymouth church. have al
ready made you fair proposition Ii that before
three such earnest impartial men as have mentioned
will without reserve, all those facts and conceal
no circumstances and no names which
vnced me beyond The possibility OF doubt
Of Mr. Bcecncrs guilt. Ana ! modify
my former proposition to say that | will
to their publishing all the facts that
seem to them best, omittng only the names and the
identifying circumstances, and that | Will agree to
abide by public d, clsion whether justified IN my
convictions OF his guilt and IN my silence aud in my
speech. No matter whether Plymouth church or Mr..
Bcccher abide by not, agree abide by IL. The
facts be had In this way ny suit for libel
winch can be compelled TO respond.
Mr. Bowen sat down, amid profound silence, the
moderator and ushcrs having gaiucd complete control
Of the audience
Afr Ttncv now repeated his oucstion claiming that
Mr. Bowcn's statement was In way answer Mr.
Bowen then asked TO hear the question a third time
and on his request being complied with he said -
"You have asked for facts that como to my
knowledge That would imply that knew that any
rumor which heard fact. IL you wish TO ask
me when nrst heard rumOrs that a1oat and IN
the mouths Of good many people, am willing to an
swcr thaLn
II was decided 10 allow Mr. Bowen to answer tho
nrcsitnn my ,vnN Ln chnsn ho snil Mns nbso-