The New York herald., 1876-02-23
THE ANDOvER PROPOSITION.
THE ACTION OF THE CHURCH ON THE PLYMOUTH
LETTER rNDoRsED BY rHBRE-FoUBTHs OF
THE CLERGY.
From the Boston Journal, Feb. 21.l

THE CLERGY.
From the Boston Journal, Feb 21l
As impression exists in certain quarters that the
action of the church in Audover Seminary, embodied
In the letter inviting Plymouth church to unite in
calling council OF investigation hastily taken and
not fairly representative OF the sentiments OF the
church. your readers will be interested the follow
ing exact statement OF the facts in the case:-
The church comprises twenty eight resident male
members, seven OF whom professors in the sem
mary and also by vote acting pastors OF the church
Although the possibility Of the action taken had been
before the mind of some OF these acting pastors for
many days weeks before Il was finally re-
solved upon the rst meeting called expressly for
sultation the subject held on Monday, the 7th
inst and was attended by all the acting pastors ex-
cept Five hours discussion resulted in the
vicon-strong the part Of five out OF the six pres
cnt the sixth hestating-that 1t was their duty TO
bring the matter before the church Accordingly the
evening eight leading male members OF the
church invited to meet the pastors for prelimn-
conference the subject Only OF the
present. but the seventh sent note expressing
himself far acquiesccnt to refrain from opposi
ton; and that one Of the SIX attending who had not
been present the preceding conference read the
meeting elaborate argument against the measure
plated Again our hours and half were spent
In discussing the subject, some OF the lay members
opposing, some advocating, some hesitating. Tho
day such theological students as members OF
the church had the matter broached to them by three
OF the professional acting pastors In colloquia in
terview occupying three hours After the regular
ject formally brought before the church, every
resident member having received previous notice that
II would he introduced. After Iurther discussion,
tending through more than three hours, the question
whether the church would ut once proceed TO invite
Plymouth church TO unite In convening the proposed
council was put and passed by vote OF eighteen
the affirmative to IN the negative Three members
present were undecided chiefly account OF doubt
respecting the expediency OF Immediate action. or
tue absent male resident members one-viz the
protesting professional pastor above menioned-was
heard from again in another extended written protest.
(also acting pastor) was non n-committal one
confined TO his bed by severe illness, fourth,
known be in favor called out OF town, and thu
remaining two were understood TO be opposed
AT an adjourned meeting held the next evening the
draft OF letter prepared by duly appointed commit
submitted and after discussion, adopted.
Al the opening Of this meeting OF the three
bers who at the preceding meeting had been unde-
cded requested that his might be recorded the
Affirmative thus raising the majority TO nineteen
against one while OF the SIX residents absent from
that meeting, and rcckonej above opposed to the
measure, voted IN favor of tho letter
At subsequent meeting certain alterations In the
letter approved Of and vote passed respect
ing the mode which II should be signed and trans
mitted TO Plymouth church
each Of these successive meetings held after tho
to take action had been passed, reconsideration
would have been IN order had any member felt disposed
So lar from there being any sign OF such
disposition OF the three ut nrsl undecided his
vote favor OF the movement has been said while
another or tho three accepted an appointment upon the
committee chosen to prepare the letter.
Iu word, then, the action OF the church taken
at meeting attended by more than threc-lourths Of
all the resident male members, at the close Of discus
sons occupying Ia ALL more than nftcen hours-discus
sions which the utmost liberty OF dissent in
yited aud exercised and by vote which, It's final
FORM stood nineteen In the Affirmative one in the neg
alive two undecided or the nineteen voting anirma-
lively all except graduates OF colleges and that
one was for years a deacon D n neiEhboring church.
From this detailed history Of the proceedings your
readers Judge how little ground there for crt
cing the action hAsty irregular or unfairly repre-
sentlng the opinion Of the church.