New-York tribune., 1876-03-02
THE pROCEEnINGS.

MI. Edgerton was called to the chair and
acted as Moderator. MI Beecher read reply TO the
inyion for Mutual Council received from the Andoyer
church. This reply declined the invitation for the
reasons orth IN the adycc Of The late Council 1t
adopted and the Chair ordered the names of the
pastor and clerk to be affixed and the reply to b. for
warded
Mr. Edser;cn then said: "Mr. Bowen is present with
us and I wiz ask the brethren what method We shall
pursuef
Mr. Beecher move that the Examining Committee
put the que ons and, afcrward II any questions
be asked the part of the church. that they to be
sent m writing TO the platform and questions to be
put by the Examining Committee
Mr. Tlney have o written statement made by Mr.
Bowen TO the Examining Committee on the evening Of
Feb. %. II is document consisting Of 60 pages If
necessary eau read IT,
On motion o. Mr. shcaman the document was ordered
e and for further disposition referred the Clerk
Of the Church. with power.
Mr. Tilney. 10 behalf of the Examining Committee,
then said: Referring to MI BOwens statement of the
23d Of February should Ike to ask Mr. Bowen, When
fret did any facts TO your knowledge affecting III
juriOusly the moral character Of the pastorl'
Mr. Bowen lettering to paper and risng)-Mr Char
man, tue essential facts required Of already in
the bands Of the Examining Committee. II the church
wants them, all has 10 do is 20 demand them OF that
COMMITTEE. So long the Committee refuses 10 hear
more.
Mr. Tinq-In respect 60 Nj. BOwen's statement, /
would'ay yC We have not received from him single
iact splause aud bssesl and what want. and want
only tonight al the facts concerning which be has
made innupnioes and nsinuatiOns. Now will repeat
The question f. hlr. Bowen.
The ques;ioa repeated.
MI BOWEN DECLARES MS POSITION.
MT Bow,a-I ask your attention 20 this coInmunica-
uOn b THIS time my position IN this matter is or ougt
70 be vel Understood by yOu Your Examining Coil-
m'1ee I'm, t9ut evidence 20 convict Of sanderng
The pastor They failed to find IT, Changing their tac-
us, they thea summoned 10 meet them and reply To
complaints that had allowed people to believe that J
Knew something against tho moral character OF Mr..
oeeehef and that when questioned 1 evaded direct
iopy' The charge against me was so far true. had
Oesn thus questioned and had eyaded direct reply IL
was not my fault that the people had the impression that
ihao such knowledge did know what was sufficient 10
convince mo Of Mr. Beechers guilt. and when caught
and corncrs oould lie about ii. hut was compelled
Silent, let the consequences fol where tbey would
1hey fen cn and they fell Mr. Beecher They fell
n me as penalty Tor my irdiscreton IN having once an
ee peculiar circumstance OF excitement poured my con
haenee into leaky vessel
Here Mr. Blair called our. 90 rise 10 point Of order "
Mr. Bowen dehanuy called back, 81 have the hoor.
ar Blair explained that Nh Bowen not invited TO
'"e eharch 10 read written statement He had given
number OF hOse in the past He put here to answer
s0ch Questions might be pu, & him pertinent TO the
h'in,aOns ard accusations which had been contained
previous accusations and statements. "Mr. Bowen
S1then OF bis intelligence must know what that
lesnS and trust he viii be required In accordance with
We Resolutions to answer orally the questions pro
pounded"
he Moderator held the point Of order to be well taken
" accordance with the resolutions Some instantly
ne,ed that Mr. Bowen be allowed TO proceed with the
sosoins Of bis statement II was seconded, and Mr.
'srsn said; tnk brethren OF Plymouth Church. that