Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-03-04
Plymouth Church Troubles.

Plymouth Church Troubles.
The Advisory Council called to
consider the troubles in Plymouth
Church closed their labors on Thurs.
day last. We have not made much
mention of the proceedings of this
body, believing that our columns
could be filled with more valuable
reading. Below will he found the
result of its labors, briefly summed
up:
AT the closing session Thursday
evening there was a large audience,
including a large proportion Of the
members Of Plymouth Church and
many prominent Brooklyn and New
York citizens. The audience had
an eager look. as it was expected
the Advisory Council would an.
nounce the rcsult Gifts deliberations.
The proceedings opened with sing.
ing and prayer, after which Mr..
Clark, tho Scribe, read a report EN-
bracing tho conclusions of the coun-
Gil.
The rel TT says the council had
listened.l statements from the Elk.
amining Committee and members of
Plymouth Church, and IL. O. Bow.
en-, in relation to his connection with
Beechcr; also to statements of Mr..
Van Colt and his conclusions. The
Examining Committee had also con-
sidered the Andover Church propo-
sal, but could not accede to it as it
was not in accordance with the rules
of the church. The Council had al
so considered the powers of the
in regard to removal for va
rlOuS causes on account of cOntinu-
ed absence, or because of merely
asking to be dismissed without civ
ing cause for such request, or be-
cause they believed the pastor gull.
tv and would not sit under him, or
for various other causes. Their con
generally support Plymoth's
administration of church discipline,
but there are some points in regard
to membership dismissals, etc. which
are not passed upon by the Council
and which require to be made the
subject Of future consideration.
The case Of Mrs. Moulton, together
with her request for Mutual Coun.
Gil, was also fully considered. and
the report says her request, not be.
ing in accordance with Church rules,
could not be granted. With refer
ance to various allegations and
charges against Beecher, the Coun-
Gil believe him innocent until he is
proved guilty. They have consid-
cred all the papers and statements
ID the matter and find nothing to
prove him guilty. They refer to the
ong trial by jury and counsel, the
statements that appeared,
etc, and say in none of these were
the charges against him sustained.
They therefore maintain his limo
,ence and call upon the various con
,regatiOns and churches, and hi S
own people particularly, to believe
n his innocence and support his
steps, etc.
The articles of the letter miSsive
were taken up and answered in de.
tail. The answer to the fifth ques-
ton sustains the church in refusing
4 mutual council as proposed by
Mrs. Moulton. The answer to the
sixth question says the Council re
srets that the case of the pastor was
not from the first made more prom.
inent, as it was the real case for i'll
vestigatiOn. If this unpleasant du-
fy had been undertaken according
TO the church poltiy, this grieyous
and appalling calamity, with all it's
avils, might never have been known.
If the pastor were guilty, it would
have been known; if the pastor
were guilty, he would have left the
ministry if innocent, he would
have explained his silence and have
been restored to confidence. In view
Of these facts and also of the fact
that the pastor of this church has
demanded that his accusers be brO't
to face him, and has invited such
investigation as this council may
think desirable for the peace and
prosperity OF churches, this council
advises this church to empower a
commission OF five to be created by
the committee of three hereinafter
specified, out of twenty hereinafter
named, the duty of which shall be
to receive and examine all charges
against the pastor which they may
regard as not already sufficiently
tried. Any three of this committee
shall be quorum. 1t is provided
that the commission shall not be
unless formal charges
against the pastor shall be brought
before the Church or its Committee
within sixty days after the dissolu-
ton of the Council by party max
ing himself responsible for the truth
and proof of the same. The result
Of the investigation by this Com
mission shall be reported to the Ex
Committee of Plymouth
Church and he given by them to the