Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-02-18
Plymouth Church Matters.

Plymouth church acted, Friday night,
on Bowen's case-ordered the matter back
into the hands Of the examining committee,
with instructions to give Bowen the time
he asked for preparation notify him to bring
on all his evidence, and put him through a
searching investigation.
After the adoption of the resolution. Mr.
Beecher said be was far from feeling in a splr-
tied humor. A controversy between a pas
tor and a member of a church was very
sad thing. To have quarrel was TO him IN
the nature of funeral service Mr.. Bowen
was one of the Oldest mem bers Of the church,
and be could not forget that Mr.. Bowen :
threshold was the first the crossed on coming
to BROOKLYN. He could not think CT anything
more sad than to find the man with whom
he had walked arm in arm. and with whom
he had taken sweet counsel. and whose
hospitality he had shared. turned against
him.
Mr.. Beecher had thus far spoken very
quietly and sadly, b1i now he burst firth In
numbering tones, throwing into MS words
all the vehemency possible to him. lie sad
that if for the last ten years or more MI
Bowen had been IN possession OF these iaets.
and never brought them before him or be
fore an officer OF the church, he was guilty
of breaking his covenant with the ehurch
and be ought 10 be expelled. Ii he (beeeher)
was what he was alleged 10 be. he should
have been cast ont Of the church, long ago.
He was not guilty and the allegations made
by Nj Bowen were false. He added. with
greater emphasis | have still another
word 10 say, and that Is as 10 the tribunal
which he proposes 10 favOr-the trlpartite
bOdy-that he NAV hide the names, and
then their word be given out. IN djudlea-
ton Of this matter. No secrecy shall rest
on this matter. Applause. ! care not
| do not say | would not IN certain respects
90 before such committee, but this say,
there shall not be a secret. If this matter
is not exposed to the bottom 1t shall be be
cause nv will is set aside. and | don't pro-
pose that he shall hide himself. nor will
| permit anything to be hidden about
me by having il referred 10 three gentle
men, whoever they are. with the understand
ing that they shall keep the process before
them secret. and only let ont what they
choose. What they think won't satisfy You
or me. And since the matter has been pub
lIshed in the newspapers, and his name i
attached to II. he has got 70 face these
facts, and he has got to produce his cyl
dence. And as for myself, ! have only tins
to say | pronounce all the insinusti0ns
and allegations that he has made g. false,
and, with Almighty tod before me AMI the
judgment Day, | arraign him IA SANDER
er and liar,
The examining committee met Inme1l-
aiely after the meeting and decided to sun
mon Mr. Bowen to appear before them on
the 231 inst, AID give proof Of the alega-
tions contained in his communication o..
the 4ih inst.
HEADQUARTERS FOR VERMONT II TEE CES-
1ENSlAL.-non. y. T sprague. Jr, Of
Brandon. has written a letter to John y.
Baxter. Esq. chairman of the State centen-
NAL committee. offering to erect, at his own
expense. headquarters bailiinE fir Yer
mont. Mr.. Sprague says
Feeling a deep interest that the State Of
Vermont shall at least have a headquarters
building upon the exhibition grounds at
Philadelphia, for the Use and convenience
Of her people. and seeing that there Is de-
lay and want Of action in that direction,
desire, through your committee. TO make the
following proposition TO the proper State
authority. which. il accepted, in view Of
the short time to elapse before the opening
OF the exposition, desire 10 be officially in
formed at an early day. propose TO erect,
upon suitable site. q building "a by Is,
two stories high, with French roof, arrang-
ed conveniently for the purpose and uses of
a State building. and have the same COM
pleted in desirable snd acceptable style
Of architecture, on or before the first day Of
MAY next, and tender the same to the State
OF Vermont. for its use during the entire
time Of the exhibition. providing the State
will accept it. and agree TO take care Of the
same.
The matter has been referred 20 GOV.
Peck for his action