Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-03-03
Advisory Council Proceedings.

AT the morning session, on the 23d, a re.
mort was made from the special committee to
which was referred the letter from Andover
Seminary Church calling for council 10 try
the case OF Mr.. Beecher, in which the com
mittee say Plymouth Church should not ac-
cept the Invitation. Report adopted at the
evening session.
After discussion the Council decided that
the Church Investigation held In 1874 was
adequate, and that Plymouth Church had
done its whole duty In the matter.
Announcement was made that the commit
tee of nine to whom all matters for final con-
slderation Of the Council were to be brought
comprised President Porter, Chairman; DIR.
Farchild, DR.. Salter, DR.. Strong, DIR. Sturte-
want, DIR. Bacon, Bradford r. Wood, Judge
Whitney and ex.Goy. DiDgley.
At the afternoon session, the resolution as
TO whether or not there should be another
investigation Of the charges against Mr..
| Beecher was discussed at great length, and
finally decided afllrmatiyely, about two dozen
delegates voting no.
At the evening session It was decided that
| & committee of three should be appointed to
| select five names from the list presented by
| the committee, who shall constitute an In
| vestigating Committee, to he ir all possible
evidence that can be CLEANED In regard TO
the scandal, and sit as final judges on the
matter.
The Council concluded their labors on the
oath. An adverse report was made and
| adopted on the resolution offered by the Rev.
Dr. Bell, to the effect that the Council de-
clare Mr.. Beecher innocent of the charges
preferred against him.
The report of the Council sustains Pym-
outh Church in its dealings with the mem
bers whose names have been stricken from
its rolls, and in its general discipline in this
respect. 1t also endorses the action OF the
church In relation 10 the proposed Mutual
Council, and expresses regret that Mrs. Moul
l -. q lNaNt To fNgF
other churches for those objected TO, and thus
CRAFTY the expressed desire of Mrs. Moultor
for such council. .a
The report says the Council finds no reason
to call in question the method BY which tht
committee was cons tituted which investigated
the charges against the pastor; but in view o.
the dissatisfaction which more or less pre-
walls with the previous investigation, 1t II
| recommended, in view Of Mr.. Beccher's de
mand to be brought face to face with his ac
cusers, ETC., and for the peace OF the churche
, and the protection OF Plymouth, that neN
: investigation be had. The Provisions for sucl
an investigation are as follows
Prof. Timothy Dwight, d. D., of New Haven
Conn, the Rev. J. w. Wellmar, ID. D., Malde1
Mass, and the Hon. Bradford X. Wood, A
{ bany, N Y, are appointed by the Council a
, | the Committee OF Three, who are einpowere
to designate Commission OF FIVE Out
twenty named parties, whose duty 1t y" sha
be to receive and examine all charges againi
a the pastor which they may regard as not a
q ready sufficiently tried. Any three Of tn
8 committee shall be a quorum, and shall hay
power in case of failure to complete th
: requisite number of five BY selectin
), other brethren of known ability and il
j tegrity. 1t is provided that the commissio
) shall not be constituted unless formi
charges against the pastor shall be brougl
# before the church or its commits
, within sixty days after the dissolution Of Il
y Council, by party making himself respoi
. sible for the truth and proof OF the same, Ill
y less within the same time It shan De aGluagt
q to be expedieut by the Examining Commi
e tee OF the church and the Committee
lr Three that important testimony not pr
o yiously given, which might throw light upC
,s the charges which have hitherto been trle
should We heard by the committee. The T
suit OF the investigation by this CommissiC
l. shall be reported to the Examining Conm
h tee Of Plymouth Church, and be gwen
6 them to tire public"
|. The Commission of Five is to be select
Is from among the following: Theodore
l. Woolsey, New Haven, Conn. Mark HopkiT
/ Williamstowu, Mass; julius III. Seeley, Al
i, herst, Mass; n. Shipman, Hartford, Com
d /. s. Foster. Norwich, Conn; D: ". a
to Arbor, Mich; W. B. Washburne, Greenfe
n Mass; a. G. Barstow, Providence, r.
ce J. l.. Chamberlain, Brunswick, Me-;
IN J. Walker, Detroit; Mich. Jacob BrinkerhC
Mansfield, Ohio; a. Hardy, Boston, Mas
- A. Finch, Milwaukee, Wis; 5. b. Gookll
VI Terre Haute, Ind; E. w. Blatchford, G
cago; William B. Edwards, New YORK; Jol
ne than E. Sargent, New Hampshire; j.
as Knapp, Keosauqua, Iowa; Henry P. Hav
I'd New London, Conn.
IN Previous to the dissolution OF the Coun
n Mr. Beecher addressed the assemblage at c.
n. siderable length.