The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-02-19
THE DRAMATIC SCENE IN PLY
MOUTH CHURCH,
BEECHER'S CHALLENGE TO MAN
ANGELS AND GOD TO ESTABLISH
THE CHARGES MADE AGAINST
HIM.
Or to Give him a Rest.

New YORK. Fec. lS.-In the Advisory
Council of Plymouth Church to-day, Rev
DIR. Storrs said he thought MIR. Beecher
should answer the question put by Mr..
Fessenden yesterday, whether he, Beecher,
was willing to have the interview between
himself and DR., Storrs made public.
Beecher said in reply that he was glad
that Mr.. Fessenden had proposed the
question. and in answering the first por-
ton of it he would say .that he knew of no
interview whatever about which such
question Should be asked. Mr.. Beecher
then said:
Now l wish you to hear the answer to
am willing that DR.. Storrs and DR.. Bud
dington should state anything they know in
regard to any facts. | should like to know
how much longer man need be at the focus
of polar microscope. with the sun in the
heavens concentrated upon him for six
months, and everything that could be
raked from the north pole to the south
pole and round the earth forty times
circulated, stocked up and brought in and
to have it raked up, and how much longer
does man want to have his willingness to
have the truth come out indicated. to be
put at that point. If there is man on
earth that has anything to say to my
deteriment. am here now and challenge
him to say it. Good, coed, and loud ap-
plause
Il 60 further than that. If there be an
angel Of God more prescient and omnici-
cient-I challenge him to say aught. [ go
beyond that, and in the name of our Com
mon Redeemer. and before Him who shall
judge you and mel challenge truth
from God himself. Great applause.
And what is all thus gong to do to-
morrow morning. 1t will be said in lum-
inous journals: Well, Mr.. Beecher, how
rhetorically he managed the matter An |
it will be put in religious papers, Oh yes
that was a very plausible statement, But
[ am in Judgment between two deyils
but" and ''if'' Laughter. Nothing that
| have said is taken to be true, and [ am
put on perpetual trial, on my veraclty
tor although | am willing TO be tried |
don't disguise from myself the possessing
every sentiment of natural honor that per-
tains to gentleman.
Il know perfectly we'll that this whole
| process is a continuous trial and crucihction
| of every sentiment of honor, and every
sensibiity of my soul, and that am ques-
toned and questioned, as | have been
through months and years on the suppoSi-
ton that the truth has not been got at,aad
| suppose it will be to the end my life; |
don't look with any hope for the result Of
this council; don't look for any hope from
the result of any council or tribunal. |
think there is hope only in the grave and
beyond. But as tor me. expect to walk
with clouded head, not understood unit
| go to heaven, and that is not far off; thai
is not far away, and | am content to beal
just that lot that my dear Lord has put CT
me; He knows what is best, and have
accepted it. Though the natural mar
rebels once in awhile ana bubbles out. ye
grace in human nature puts it down
but | am content 20 walk So All my sor
row is that the preciousness of the gospe
which has been given me to preach i
humbled somewhat by this trouble, but t
work for Christ and save men is my call
ing and not to vindica.e myself