St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1876-03-03

argued that the investigation was not
full. Evidence that could be obtained
was not obtained.
Plymouth Church Sustained
PROVISION MADE FOR NEW INyEsTI-
CATION.
SHORTLY before eight o'clock, Thurs
day evening, Mr.. Beecher ascended
the platform, and the immense audience
were hushed into bre;lthless stiffness
Mr.. Beecher simply said, speaking very
rapidly: wish to renew my request TO
every friend of mine in this audience
that 1T every part of the service, and
on the reading of every document, aud
Oh the enunciation of every result, that
1t may be received with profound quiet
ness. Any man that claps his hands
would knock me down, and any man
that would cheer | think must he a
man that would open his mouth against
me, | heseech the congregation, which
| really expect are Il well bred and de-
cent people, to regard my importantly.
Let this meeting he far more quiet than
an ordinary Sabbath morning. | make
this request because ii would lie Il mat
ter of bad taste to greet the result of
the council, whose sessions have been
most earnestly religious, and who have
been called on to discuss the funda-
mental elements of the Christian church.
with common rejoicing or secular dem
OnStrations, but it should he received
with grateful hearts, with nkiulness
and silence before God. And | take
this opportunity, before the council
comes in, of making this request of you.
THE REPORT.
As Mr.. Bctrhcr ceased speaking Il
| huISt of harmony arose from the organ,
and lis the council filed III bN two sep
aIitc doors. the choir rose and sang
tiinmphal hymn. Then the following
report WAS read :
The council in the discharge of its
duties. has, besides hearing the pastor
and the special committee which signed
the letter miSSive, listened to state
mentS. first. from the examining COM
mittee of Plymouth church, which is
directly charged with the administra-
ton of discipline; second, from the
members of the investigating commit
tee. to whom the church committed
the preliminary examination of the
charges which were publicly brought
against the pastor; third, from Mr..
Henry {. Bowen in relation to the truth
"t il statement controverted 10y him,
and incidentally in relation to certain
transactions between himself and Rev.
Mr. Beecher: fourth, from J. w. Van
Colt. Esq. in relation to negotiations
between himself as representative of
Mis-. Moulton and the examining com
mittcc of Plymouth church touching
: the calling of Il mutual council. They
have also received Il protest signed by
William F. West. The council have
! also considered IL letter addressed to
= Plymouth church by the Congregational
| church in Andover theological seminal
. ry. inviting that church to unite with
. the last -aamcd church for il mutual
council. for the purpose of invcstigat
ing the case of Mr.. Bcecher. The let
ter waS submitted to the council by the
committee of Plymouth church for ad
vice respecting it. and this communica
Il tion was referred to Il special commit
II tee. who read report which was unan-
e im"usly adopted 10y this body, and is
ii appended to this result. Each of the
" several points submitted was entrusted
; to Il large committee which made it the
I subject of careful consideration and an
Il elaborate report aS the result of their
inquiries. reports and discussions. The
council submit the following
First. The first two questions sub
mitted To the council by Plymouth
= church relate to the teaching of the
= Scriptures concerning the method
l. hN " WhiclI the connection of members of
e. Il church can he terminated and the
J. consistency with Christian justice aud
:. the Word of God of the special rule OF
e the church. rule No. and also the
Il practice of the church in the application
If Of this rule. In answer to questions
" one and two. the council advises these
. principles
n I. That Il person becomes member
II of the church ot Christ by vows and
a. acts which are made directly to Christ
o himself. in Il covenant which, in its Ma
II turr. is everlasting and from the obi
l. cations of which he can never lie re
n leased 10y man.
!" ;. That ii person becomes a member
at nt particular local church. 10y entering
~ into Il special covenant, 10y virtue o
y which ''he Is IeSpousiblc to the churcl
IF tol his conformity to the law of Christ
l. and the church is responsible ior him
Is and that this responsibility does no
Il close until the church. 10y some fnrma
1t incorporate act, has declared the disso
y luton of the covrnant.'
al 3. That Il church may declare it>eI
II, released from all responsibility. for
III mcmhcr 10y finally separating him from
:" It's fellowship. with censure, after Civ
at ing him fair trial and using all reason
le able measures to bring him to repent
of aucc.
J. Ii may do the same without folIna
b. ceremony III many cases in which Il per
j. son signifies 10y his acts that he ha
h.. abandoned fellowship with the chIrcl
ty i'll doctrine or worship or Christian
II ~ mpathy.
Is >. The ease may occur that Il membe
ne should openly and notoiiou>IN abandon
he all communion with the church an,
u. also hc charged with Il >candalous OF
rh icmS,'. either public rumor or 10y spccifi
in allegations. In such Il case the churcl
cr may, to avoid greater scandal, use
of Ni>c discretion in selecting the otfens,
nm which it shall separate him from it
~ fellowship and diSchaIg, itself from al
ld further responsibility for his conduc
IL and character.
IL We believe that these principles az,
Id all sciiptural and acted upon in the ad
he nnistration of discipline in churches o
n every denomination. and that it is wis,
r to affirm them at the present time. Ii
y respect to the rule No. of Plvmoutl
in church we suggest that il Is deficient i
Ii. not providing that notice should b
all given, when practicable. In the ordi
III, nary practice of the church the council
nd 50 faI a> advised, find nothing to con
RS dcmn. We are gratiticd to learn tha
measures are in progress to effect sue