The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-04


Tor r o. T1f.'ur Me C.rgrfgq'asaiis'
Iti.uow proper - s'y-aud q great body
81 candid and ca, fiou- men will be my witnesses
that Nr. beoch,Is lwn Nr.t Ocs. bis spec hes,
and the c1urse ~ lhmuuth Church have done,
and are doing, more to raise sid 20 deepen sus-
picIuu IN rog 81 to the FUND Aucnt1l facts Of hls
umo That this should be distinctly and emphhti-
cnily said.
have evidence that | eNrrs-s the sentiment Il
many ~ tho wisest men, and strongest IL our
communicating the one question To hc now
considered Is IN" flndament1l one concerning
Mr.. uecchcr personally. Al questions concern
ing the mere t,chnicaiti-s a. church proceed urej
submitted IN the pllre OF iris. are now brushed
impaIeufly aside ty the church ard the world
| ANY council now called SOLELY. or chiefly. On
those min ~ s.ues viii not attain to the dignity
of a solemn farce. II VIII be a waste Of time,
money. aud patience.
MANY reputations and interests demand such
| "A thorough inquiry. Mr.. Beecher's own fair
! fame can never he vlndicated without IL. lie Ia
suffering more heavily every day. Men who
and expressing doubts. The 'rnstra'ion Of tho
| mutual council was very unfortunate. though
| the affair itself might nave come short Of what
was desired. After reading the authentic At ite-
mcnts ul the church ami pastor, Il h. manifest
| "you, right to nlne half the council ia urdis-
! putsd d" they took ehecfual treasures in TACT 20
| frnstfate The exercise % that rght' that 'hey
| intended either 20 exclude thos" two metnhef@,
! or 10 break their iuhu'nce. or ina iuluence II
! too council. Mr. licecuers 1wu words an the
Christian Union ~ y u. 10 JUSTIFY an those three
! stltements. And "a that same ptper he ls
found dccl ring that "not.re tnhnna p.
"a Jurors viii not go....As to submitting 20
| such a hoige podge trial, | won'', l won
! The less said on that topis tfs bette Q.
Tho Investigation now indicated il demanded
/ imperat'ycly Nv many other interests. private
Hnd ruhlr-hut an s"fhrieutly public now. Mr..
Noulton Is SOLITARY woman. liable - be cru-he /
| ~ great church. Ine woman VINO once Shar
| Mr. loechers most intimate conf iencc, hii
" familiar friend "a 81 ter a cha 20 him
has precious Tithit; anu ,ht'e has netn not nihs
! IN her department or personal conduct 70 nlitn
| ate th lse lights. There a. indeed a dead llck
| between her and her fornerfrierd. very cad
! ful one, and no other way 20 ADS lst H.. Other
names that hre dear not only to their friends
| hut TO tho whole Christian public, lie under
| grave questions and ccusures, and even Vi lent
! denuncintipns, conceruing this matter. II i
| due To them, e. the demon nation, to tho whole
| public. to place responsibilities where thew be-
! long. This matter has long ceased 70 be % lpca
or private concern. II Is national, ana IN or'
A few words concerning the necessary council
IL must not be unwieidy IN size, 50 as % embar
rass business. A select body, comprising Wis
! dom and SKIN and commanding confidence, II
better than mass meeting.
II tnnot exclude all neighboring churches
! Any Attemnt to rule out all the churches Of New
York and Drnoklyn is contrary 10 usage, con
trary to wisdom, contrary to equity. IL Ia I,
emearrass all the material arrangements, TO Gu
on free access to sources OF knowledge and tht
Gestions and aid, and, IN word, to reserve th'
whole range OF the surrounding region for thI
uses Of Plymouth Church. would be emphat
icay the inside track" II would THIS greatly
impair the moral weight OF the inVestigat on, anC
the result. 1t seems Indispensable that som,
neighboring church or churches should partcl.
pate. The whole arrangement cannot be turned
| over to strangers. The council must be Liable
10 no suspicion Of being packed. An indiyidua
| or two supposed 20 look favOrably, and one OF
| two supposed to look adversely. on Mr.
Beecher's side would help rather thar
hinder right result; but there are plenty
Of men % be had who are above all snspi
| ciOn Of partisanship to constitute the body vi
| the council, ana such should be selected, a. IA
as possible. IL should be SO composed 1,
| carry weight. Unknown men, however excel
| lent and fair, must not constitute the chief ele
| ment Of tho council. The gravity Of the case
| the 0minence of the persons. the Worldwide
interest, the difficulty of decision, 10y claim Il
the services Of men whom the country know
aud conndos In. such names as those Of Mari
HOPKINS, Rufus Anderson, and President VOL
sey should not be omitted. a friend OF hr
Beecher writes TO me thus There Is only on'
thing known 70 me that Plymouth Church cal
do in her emhsrrassments. That one thing Is 4
throw herself trustfullY upon the advice OF
council, composed Of men Of established an,
national reputation for lmpartiallty, wisdom
and Justice, not in reference TO this or that sid
issue, hut IN respect 70 the whole case, tnclud
ing their pastors guilt or innocence" Al
parenty the calm Judgment Of the Christian
public Is coming steadily to the same solemn
conviction.