The Morning herald., 1876-02-17

Ae in,cr'i." elr!ed. Council re-assemblta
at 2 n'clorls, and Mr.. Sherman re-
.'nn"d h's address, and aga!n took mp the
mut'iaironncil. He referred to objections
made ny Plymouth, Charch to the.
selections Of churches made
bv MS. Mo,lton and in fact thet the
Church Committee had made q distinc.
statement Of their willingness to 20 on with
the Council if their ohjtssious were disre-
garlcd. Tie then took mp the question of
the Chnrc'l's course IN relation 10 the
charges against the pastor. He declared
that critics and enemies Of Beecher had
given no weight to character, but had set
up presumption Of guilt and called upon
Beecher to prove his innocence. He then
began to olcommcnt on circumstances attend
ing the first publication Of the scandal in
1872. -.
Mr.. shearman, referring to the first pub
lication OF the scandal said public opinion
ut that time was unanimous that Beecber
and Plymouth Church would not take the
slightest notice Of the articles. Then there
began rumor for a Council, but 1t was
found that after So long delay that II was
not easy TO take the matter up. Then it
was said simple denial was not sufficient,
and an investigation was asked. Finally
charges were made and Mr.. Beecher de-
manded the fullest investigation. Mr..
Shearmau read the report of the Com
mittee which Investigated the Scandal.
He next spoke of the trial III court and OF
the able counsel In the case on both sides.
He spoke of this great slandar on the pas
tor Of Plymouth Church, aud said 1t came
uot from an Englishman or Frenchman but
from an American, ami It ought to have
blistered the lips that uttered it. In con-
clusion he asked If the church could do
more in the matter He hoped they would
make an investigation and that this would
be the last one, and upon them the entire
responsibility rested. The committee
having charge Of, the fifth question
relative to Mrs. Moulton and the
mutual council questioned Mr.. Sherman re
garding the overtures between the Church
COMMITTEES and that lady or her council.
Mr.. Shearman said Mr., Beecher was not .
fair objection to churches made by the
Committee. Vancott's letter and the let
Ter of Plymouth Committee were both read
at the request Of delegates. nc ~ al
| DR.. Bacon and other delsgates then asked
& number Of questions % to the manner Of
taking in members end Tho dropping Of
members from the rolls, (which sWig sx&lalA;
ed by Mr. Beecher Rev. Nj. .Farksr neFed
inasmuch ss the Committee had great
deal of work before them, NO evening" ~
sion be held. The motion was lost &ndEsss-
sion adjourned TIL 7.S0 p. 10. g.4aa :. x
The Council reassembled at eight O'Clock,
when Sherman was furthered questioned
by the delegatss regarding the 6rst, second
and fifth questions Of his letter. IN answer
to questions he said the scandal was first
published in Woodhull's "sveekly." He did
not think fifty members of the church
had any knowledge Of its publication.
Tilton had denied publishing the story,
claiming that for two years he tried to pre-
vent its publication. No member of the
church ever made any charge to the
Examining Committee against Beechel
up to the time of calling the mutual coun-
Gil.
In answer to the question Of n delegate
whether any person had requested Beeehel
to desist from bis labors in the church
Beecher answered "No. Not even Mrs
Moulton. Beecher then explained the
cause of his visit to Boston, which was tc
correct some false statements which had
been made. He also answered questions o.
the delegates as to whether he was not try
ing to shield some other persons by bearing
the burden himself by saying, ~ am very
generous man, very magnaninious man,
but am no fool" Council then adjourned
| SS