New-York tribune., 1876-04-06
SCANDAL ECHOES.
CJ.ERGyMEN IN COUNCIL.


DIscryssIOy CONCERNING A THOROUGH INVEsT1GA-
TIoN OF MR.. BEECuER's CASE BY THE NEw-YORK
AND BROOKLYN ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGA-
TIoNAL MINIsTERs-THE PLAN OF Dr. VI. M.
sToRRs-DR. DUDINGToN FAvoR' THE ANDoVER
PROPOsITIoS-A SPEECH BY MR. BEECHRR.
Another important chapter in the history OF
the Beecher scandal opened yesterday at the Conge
gationa Church OF the Puritans In Brooklyn was the
occasion OF the semannual meeting OF tho Ne"-horA
aud Brooklyn Association OF Congregational Misers'
which, at its last meeting. appointed the Kew DE- buu-
ngton the Rev. DR.. VIM. N. Taylor Prof Martin' tue
Rev. Chas H. Everest, and tho Rev. Mr.. Virgin COM
nttee to report what way the Association should take
cognzance OF the Bcecher scandal and assure tsef OF
the innocence of the accused brother Clergyman AS
this Committee was TO submit It's report yesterday
meeting attracted fair attendance About 90 ministers
were present including Henry Ward Beecher. inc rev.
Dr. H. NJ storrs the Rev. Dr. Budington the Rev. Ly yman
Abbott the Rev. Mr. Mackay the Rev Geo. Whippe, and
the Rev. Mr. Halliday. The Rov. Dr. Richard g. storrs
aud the Rev. H. NJ Scudder sent letters excusiny Their
absence The Rev. Geo. Whpple was elected Moderator,
and H. II. Macfarland was chosen Registrar
When the Association was by ITSELF" the report OF
the Committee OF Five read. They spoke briefly OF
what they considered the urgent need OF more thorough
Investigation into the scandal than has yet been
had but advised that no action be taken by the Associ
ton until it becomes evident that the movements already
on ecclesiastical Investigations are sunceh
TO clear up the scandal. The report was laid on
table and tie Rev. Dr. H. NJ. storrs offered preamble
and resolution to effect that tho Association recog-
Mise the existence Of the scandal commission appointed
by the Advisory Council and appoint committee Of ve
from its members assist u getting all the tesi
mony obtnaDe after calling upon the world 10 dVuse
all that may found detremenal To the character of
Henry Ward Boecher Dr. ii. NJ. Storrs supported his
reoutions, in speech Of great earnestnoss He said
his resolutions were making toward peace. He
II ha atyiap for Inc
SELF of the providentis nstrumontay obtained through
tee Advisory Council Tao Commission of Five were 10
be Judges 1t proper that tcy should be hghmned
and upright men. unbiased by local feeling. NO one
could deny that the Advisory Council nad pr0Vdeda t
from which such jury could be struck Then, the Asso-
cat,on were n fact, club. and had as much eccesast
cal power club, aud no more They were none the
less sensitive point al! purity OF each mem
ber and when member was accused, tho br0thery way
would be- not attempt to throw vail over the mem
ber but do all In their to bring to the surface all
damaging facts They owed much To tho proof OF IL
brohrrs uoceuce or II the brother be guilty. To the
purity of the Church Of Christ, that tins guilt be fully es
labshed and punished In tnls spirit ho advocated
committee Of five.
Dr. Buin offered a substitute to Dr. storrss
plan preamble AMI esoluton taking notice Of the pro-
pooal Of the AndOvcr Chufcl To unite with plymouth
Church In calling mutual council. commenting tie plan
As gre.ing With usage, and The most likely
10 give general satisfaction, AMI recommending that tno
ion advise tho ptance Uf uc Andoyer propo-
siol Dr. Burlington said In support OF his shOstlthte
that the matter ecclesiastical and not personal ahd
the Association sEolld treat IL ecclesiastical As the
Advisory Couur had called fosth considerable adverse
criticism IL could cxprctei tnat the plan Of in
ye. e.gntion recommended 10y IL would prove acecptabe
TO the whole body OF Cougreg egLtonaliss.
Mr. eccher made powerful but quiet speech In favor
of d. II. NJ. storr,s preamble ana resolutions, He
thought the question or the Association to decide was
whether be worthy ot their brotherhood IL mignt
be- ns DR. Burlington had said purely ecclesiastical
matter but To h. II could not 10 other than personal
one. lie spoke Of the previous Investigations, aud
now tim, n way had been provided for letting
in the fun light OF day, ho bopod tho plan
would be accepted aud tho investigation pushed with
or aud thOIOughcss. IL dill not dread the closest
scrutiny He wanted to convince Drs sorrs ana BUD
ngon and the multitude of doubiers He supposed that
til, Association contained Jealous Of the purity
Of the church as could be iounl and he hoped II the
propo.ed Committee appointed, To as-t the Com
sson that those most un,a.scd with previous lh'es
tsaons should bo II. aud especially Drs Budinst0n
aud storrs earnestly called upon 10 do allu teir
power 10 see tuat tAo Commission we're supplied "ith
every obtainGblr sou.pof tc,tInOny.
At o'clock members began To rrnss mbo. MI
Beccher came carly aud scsln himself In an auglt OF
tue rooIn drew Turth pocket volume aud buncI him
self IN IT, contents until tie Moderator announced that
tho Association was again "by iscf' general search
had previously been made for reporters. one uneasy
member being certain that two reporters were
scorcted in the church. DIR. Burlington WITH
drew his stitutc Tor Dr. si0Irs's plan, and
Prof. Martin OF amendments to Ds. sOrsa rcsou-
onS tu ia. effect that the Association mako no note Of
outside Investigations. and conduct thorough lnVes-
gallon within lie own organization 4 lon8 discussion
followed. which abruptly broken of by motion 10
a. iufn until 10 o'clock tns morning, when Pro-. Mar
liz, proposition will bc turLHer considered Tue Asso
ciaon Will probably dispose Of the question to-day
THE prTCUER prNI'RRER SUSTAINED.