Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-03-02

z
cburchin dropping mernbers from the rails
was,yty1 ca.<r, declare that the rule in these
nrncticss ID Plymouth Church Is ,n9t lr-
ar,.,sstgtent With the Word OF God or
rhe principles OF Christian justice. Tue
is,s action OF the church toward Mr..
EosssS Is said 20 DC sustained, with
staf.ment that 10 bad been better 70 havsbeen
more promptly taken. IL Is also stated mat
the church Is exoDerased rom 'alufc ~ ~ ~
urs. Moulson . Mutual Council, and the
cburch's plan for council oil noD-iocal
CHURCHES il commended. A minority report
go made from the committee " which was
referred the second question In the letters
missiye, that relating 70 the dropping OF
members from the roll.
letter was sent BY Mr.. r. ID. Mouiton to
DR.. Bacon, as Moderator Of the Council, stat
Ing that the writer was prepared 20 prove the
guilt Of Mr. Beeeher, BY evidence Dotn orai
I'D documentary, and saying that !" II allowed
an opportunity of producing such proof be-
fore tie Council | fail To make good THIS as.
suyance, then | am willing ~ be discfecffed
and Denounced by mankiad as n wretch ce-
void Of truth aud honor and unworthy Of hu-
mac association" ... e
Henry G. Bowen also Addressed letter 70
DR.. Bacon deneuncing as false certain state
ments made by Mr.. Beecher 10 the Coupcil
III
never been afraid 10 look Mr.. Bcecher IN the
face and Intimate moral iInpurity 10 him;
on the contrary, Mr.. BeeebeF had never dared
u meet him la an interview on the subject
Tie session on the I'D was mainly devoted
10 the consideration Of the reports " me
committees. all OF which were adopted win
,he exception Of the one relating 10 the sixth
question, which question is a. follows: !" Has
Plymouth Church, 10 the principles aud rules
u hich II has proyiued for the maintenance Of
order and the administration Of DISCIPLINE, or
In auy known cases OF its administration tit-
dsr tiios.. principles and rules, gone beyond its
rights as a church OF Christ, 30 40 Justly 10
forfeit It's claim 10 the confidence and Fellow
ship Of the Congregational Churchesy The
committee expresses Itself satisfied that
there IL no absolute necessity for reopeDiDg
the scandal case, but inasmueh az there are
40 many suspicious claims and ruinous aile-
cations. u recommends that the Council APP
uont a committee Of three 10 advise Ply-
mouth Church that IL would be well 10 select
a committee Of i've from list Of eminent per-
sons which they submit, whose duty ~ shall Ds
To hear every scrapol evidence thatcan DE cor
lected and adjudieate finally upon the case.
The discussion on this question was some
what heated one, and had not ended up 10 The
time Of adjournment.
at the morning session, on the 23d, re-
port 8as made from The special committee TO
winch was referred the letter from Andoyer
Seminary Church calling for a council 10 try
the ease OF Mr.. Beechcr, Ia which the com
mittee say Plymouth Church should not 2e-
cept the invitation. Report adopted al the
evening session.
After discussion the Council decided that
the Church investigation held in 1874 was ad-
equate, aod that Plymouth Church had done
it, whole duty la the matter.
Announcement Was made that the COM
mittee OF nine, 10 whom all matters for final
consideration Of the Council were 10 be
brought, comprised President Porter, Chair.
man; DR.. Fairehild, DR.. SaIter, DIR. strong,
Dr. SturteyaDt DIR. Bacon, Bradford X. Wood,
Judge Whitney and eX-Goy. Dingley.
At the afternoon session, the resolution as
to whether or not there should be another
investigation Of the charges against Mr..
Beecher was discussed at great length, and
finally decided sffirmatiyely, about two dozen
delegates voting no.
AT the evening session il was decided that
a committee OF three should DC appointed 10
select five names from the list presented by
the committee, who shall constitute an inyes-
tigatiug committee, 10 hear all possible evil
dence that can be CLEANED in regard 10 the
scandal, and sit as final judges on the matter