Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-02-25
Advisory Council Proceedings.

Resolutions introduced on the second day
of the session of the Council, by the Rev. DR..
Bell, of Mansfield, Ohio, declaring it to be the
firm belief Of such Council that the Rev. III.
W. Beecher is innocent of the sins and crimes
laid to his charge, and applauding the faith
and devotion shown in his behalf by the
members of Plymouth Church, were declared
out OF order by the Moderator, and the de-
cision was sustained on appeal, D.. Bell
alone voting in the negative.
Mr. Shearman made an exhaustive state
mAnt of The case of Plymouth Church, after
which lengthy examination OF different
members of the committee was gone through
with in relation TO the questions contained in
the letters missive.
Rossiter w. Raymond read a lengthy state
ment against Theodore Tilton, and a general
discussion ensued as to questions relating to
the Investigating Committee, Mr.. Beecher
| joining in the remarks
On the nth, a resolution was adopted in
viting Judge Van Cott, Mrs. Moulton's coun-
sci, to appear and state his views of facts
| which led to the failure Of the Mutual Coun-
ell. In response TO this, Mr.. Van Cott attend
ed at the evening session, and made lengthy
address in which he claimed that the blame
for the failure Of the proposed Mutual Ceun.
ell rested with Plymouth Church. He said
he believed, on his honor as gentleman,
! that Mrs MoultOn desired such council to be
held, and he desired 1t also.
A communication was received from Mr..
| Bowen; its reading was objected to, and ii
was referred to the Business Committee, The
communication stated that he (Bowen) was
never invited to be present at the session of
! the PlJ mouth Church Investigating Com
mittee, nor given any intimatiNn that he was
wanted. He says, in conelusion "I pro-
pose TO give rext week to the Examining
Committee Of Plymouth Church, my reasons
for believing Henry Ward Beecher guilty"
On the 18th, resolutions were adopted in
viting DR.. Storrs and Buddngton to come be-
fore the Council and aid them with any facts
which might be within their knowledge as
touching the pending questions, and in
evening. Mr.. Beecher, in an impas.
stoned speech, challenged any man on
earth or angel in Heaven who had any.
thing TO say TO his (Beechers) deriment, to
say II; and he added: " j 90 beyond that,
and, in the name OF our common Redeemer,
and before Him who shall judge you and me,
| challenge the Truth from God HIMSELF "
AT the evening session Mr.. Bowen was
questioned as to his course in connection
with the past troubles OF Plymouth
Church, especially regarding his non
appearance before the Investigating Com.
Beecher scandal; among other replies, Mr.
Bowen stated that the reason he did moi
appear before such committee Was be-
cause, although he was aware a general
invitation had been extended to all who
knew aught concerning the matter al
issue, he did net know that anytim had
been fixed. A long examination was gont
through with in relation to the -tIipartitC
agreement. Announcement was made al
the afternoon session that Messrs. StOrrs and
Buddlngtou had been waited upon, and botl
had said they had nothing to communica:,
to the Council.
On the 10Th, Mr.. Sage, of the Plymouth
Church Investigating Committee, stalad thal
u was considered Unnecessary 10 call Mr.
Bowen before that committee, as he was no
supposed TO Know anything. Mr.. Sage sale
such investigation was as thorough AS il WA
possible 10 make IL.
J Mr.. Beecher made some denunciatory re
, marks IN reply to an account by Deacon
Howard OF y former interview with MT
Bowen, during which the latter had declare,
that II he communicated the knowledge II
his posssssioni il would drive Mr.. Bee che
from Brooklyn In twenty-four hours. In th
course Of some subsequent remarks MI