New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-02-17

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citcment among the audience was great the rule
against applause and laughter being frequently
broken. The Interrogation of the Plymouth Com
mttee was not finished when the Council adjourned.
STORMY AND EXCITING SESSIONS.
THE BRISK DEBATE OVER DIR. BELLS RESOLUTIONS
Range OF THE QUESTIONS FOLLOWING MR..
sHEARMAN's ARGUMENT-sHaRP DISCUSSION IN
TIE EvENING-THE RELATIONS Of PLYMOUTH
CHURCH WITH TIE OTHER LEADING CoN6kE'A-
TIoSAL CHURCHES OF BROOKLYN.
Yesterdays proceedings III Plymouth Church were
rcplete with interest. The early hour at which the
Council opened its session did not prevent the pres
ence of a large number of spectators at
tho opening religous services The attend
ance of ladies was considerable. Mrs. Bcechcr
and party were prominent in the west gallery,
and seem 10 have chosen that locality their point
Of continual and unwearied observation. part of
the morning being devoted to address on church
polity, spectators did not all show proracted inter
est and were coming and going up to the hour of
a ijournmcnt. On the table behind the Modcrator's
chair was placed beautiful bunch of large white
lilies and tropical leaves. An alabaster vase filled
with intermingcd peones, tea-roses, and fuschlas,
was placed on the pulpit platform.
Tie curiosity Of the spectators was early satisfied
by the appearance Of the Business Committee,
advising that the protest of William +. West be
read. Nobody showed surprise that the protest
claimed that the real trouble of the church was that
Mr. Beechcr guilty of the charges of Mr.. Tilton
against him, aud informed the Council that It ought
To- investigate Mr. Iicechcr's conduct The Council
promptly referred the protest To second committee
The Rev. Dr. Bell of Ohio created great stir.
amounting almost 10 sensation, by Offering two
resolutions the effect that the Council declare its
belief in the moral purity of Mr.. Beecher, and ex-
pres, IT, admiration of the faith repJsed in him by
Pl,mouth Church as exemplifyng the beauty,
fidelity aud glory Of the Christian faith. The lively
discussion which ensued clearly indicated that the
Council considered the resolutions, at the least un-
timely and the Moderator decided that they raised
points not submitted in the e.tcrnissive, and con-
fequcnty out OF order DIR. Bcll appealed from this
decision in ,an /; his the only voice raised in
the negative when vote was taken on sustaining
the decision of the Moderator.
TEorlas g. Sherman, the last of the Committee
unbeard on the statement Of the case Of Plymouth
Church, was introduced by Mr.. Beecher, and pre-
sented his views concsely, and enlivened the details
with striking comparisons and citations which held
the close interest of the Council. He asked if the
decisions of the Council Of 1874 stated or implied
that for a church 10 disfrllowshp member 1t was
necessary to bring out bell, book, and candle
and formally eXcommunicate; and showed
bov hundreds of Congre rational Churches
throughout the land, the Clinton Avenue
Church tDr. Budingtons included, had
the practice in church discipline OF dropping mem
beers without discussion or communication, the
only difference being that Plymouth Church pursued
is course frankly. lie gave the history OF Tie
droppinp Of Mr.. Tilton's name from the roll of the
church, ard then read a written statement OF the
church and evil Investigations into the charges
Mr Ilus,h her "A He'd % Council.
il recommended another investigation that il take
care to make such trial the last and lasting Civ"
rs a fnalIty and let IA bring this thing to an end
See that the investigation broad IA 10 cover the
whole qu, ston."
After Mr. Shcarman had finished the vital bust
ness of the Council began and continued for the re-
mander of the aft rnoon and throughout the even
ing session, which three hours long. III,
church remained full on the floor and in the
galleries, and the interest intense. All this was
occasioned 10y the important que'iions propounded
by members of the six committees 10 Mr. Beecher,
Mr.. Shearman, and Mr. Raymond, who sat III
the pulpit, and replied as questioned.
This inquiry for information was be
gun by DR.. Walcott. President Porter, and
the Rev Mr. Mears, who wished 10 be informed
about points involved in the failure to call Mutual
Council with Mrs. Moulton. THEN DIR. Bacon, who
| had given the chair TO the Hon. Nelson Dingey,
drew a paper from his pocket, which proved to be a
list of carefully prepared questions He first wanted
to know how the roll of the church was defined by
the church then il person was member OF the
church before his name appeared IN the roll Then
if the mere blotting out with red or black ink OF
name made the person no longer 4 mehuer Oh lhe
| church; then if the church member were held
by a sort of free-love covenant" that IL, could
remain in the church not, just he or she pleased
Subsequently he asked if the Woodruff scandal was
in, first ntimaton the church had had of the int
mutations against their pastor that s, did 1t come
down on you like the emptying of tub of slops =
This was too much for the gravity of tho audience,
and when DR.. Bacon added 81 used that
figure of speech, but remember now
that it was borrowed" the laughing
was general DIR. Bacon, after tho reply had been
given said he thought there was evidence that the
scandal had been minated previous to the Wood
hull scandal. "What we want to KNOW" said ne,
"is. when did it begin to szzlc at the vent hole 7
The laugh that followed was almost uprOarlous ana
Mr. Beecher. joining in heartily as anybody else
said Doctor that is your hgme." Inc answer
was in the negative, but qualified
Deacon Samuel Is. Capen OF Boston saiu ne
feared a great wrong had been done somebody
and would ask if the pastor, with rare gene
rosty, was bearing a great wrong ana suffering
10 shield othersf Mr.. Beecher replied with
| great effect ard at some length. Concluding
| with an emphatic denial and the words: 81 am a
magnanimous man, think generous man, but IAN
moi foolp The outburst of laughter indicated the
sensation his words produced.
| Dr. Bacon then raised the most formidable ques-
ton of ALL He thought the fifth question IN the
letter missve could not fairly be answered