, 1876-04-01
BEECEIER
VIEWS OF AN AkTt-pLrmourHiTE-

To Tie Editor Of The Chicago Tribune:
Cu1cAao, March 29.-I have watched with tho
deepest interest tho whole history Of the terri
bla scandal that for two Years past has COZ
yuiscd Ch1iBten1on, and which must bo deep
and lasting disgrace To the great Congregational
denomination. uuleBs they nsiac In thoir might
aud purge themselves Of 1t, by casting out the
fallen Brooklyn preacher from thsir midst, IL
1t not entirely without precedent that clergy
man, after SO protrarte1 trial. Sustained moan
time by 50 powerful an organization ~ Plymouth
Church. With unlimited moans at bis command,
and yet pronounced guilty by three out at
twelve jurymou, should be allowed to 20 On In
tho performance Of bis sacred functions, ~
Shough be had bean completely vindeatcd7
Docs tho Church dcmand no grcater purity tLan
thls2
What striking contrast the case presents to
thas Of bishop OuderdonK, who was promptly
st.ipped Of bis Dtshoprie. Notwithstanding he
soseanlY denied tho charger preferred against
him, and tho proof Of which was not ono-hun-
drodsh part 20 great. nor tho crime OF which no
was sccueed ono-thousandlh part 60 terri
ble! Though I havo no connection
whasayer With the Episcopal Church, I
shall ever hold II IN deepest respect
and reverence for its fearless courso with the
ahlo and Aforctsme-eze.tly admired Bishop;
while tho Congregational Church must an
sure, suffer- In tho estimation Of she world for
it, tmosous course In respect To 1scchcr. aud
Ills powerful aud dangerous body OF AdlerOnt0,
Plymouth Church.
Ii 1t matter Of surprise that tho 1abors Of
Moody and hankey IL tls City e Churches we're we're
hayo been expected whore, according to Dr.
Loonsrd Bacon himself, such y terrible "Bkslo-
ton was concealed In one Ut itv eLurchea.
In speaking Of the result Of the g!eas trial It
Jurors as psoc!aimlng BY their verdict . belief In
1,oecherB ipnooonce. Int this is. by no
nsana tho csso. They AMPLY declared that thoy
could not convict him on he eptdenot, for the
reason that largo suount Of Tho asrongcat and
moat important testimony In the case Maa ruled
out, On tho contrary, there ia groat reaaon to
doubt whether ono OF the Jurors believed him
absolutely innocent.
II hhs been matter Of tho greataHt suEprise
to mo that, Immediately altar tho dldss Of the
groat trial, proper ecclesiastical tribunal bad
not been ssleesed BY the prominent mon Of the
denomination. and proceedtngs instituted st onoe
proper course, Deeohes, shearman b 70.
after \ yoAs's delay, have been pormittec
second time. with unvesrled pains aud care
10 salsos the!r own Council; ana with auch eni
session waa the offer Of resolution (by an II
discreet member, who had not enough world,
wisdom TO restrAln htm) looking to tho complete
vtadlcAttuu Of the great domIgod and declaring
the most implicit confidence 10 him!
What wonder, then. that this grand and much
herslled Council, thus selected, ahunld, ike ~
| famous Church Investigating Committos OF 1874
| have enacted another farce. and not only ap
proved OF every act OF tho church in general
ind OF neechef aud the weeping patufoBRer II
particular, but llslped 10 arrange matters u.
| trlctory And evasion, on tho part Of the church
worthy Of \ Whisky. y.!slpgl go that Il ahouis .
pestn almost impossible 10 lsiDg about any fur
ther investigation
Uoubtless thay arc waiting with oreath!G6a ~
teroet to SEQ who will come forward w!thla th'
preecribed sixty days to .rreaont and sustain
charges against 1leeohort Mas there over NOR
rnntsina coptriyanca 10 absolutely proven
furthur inquiry, while having tho appearance q
partial and superficial observers OF seeking u
Noyor! a..
suoh msn u urs. Hso1rs and bud1ngton, Q
brooklyn; Dra. Daitar. OF Hostoo, ana uastlet.
of Chicago were about 70 tsRa kno Msuef !
h.nd aud no longer allow such monatroo
ucnnni II, disgrace their Church; aud I trust
~ irmo. Whan . suitable Council ID convened,
- = Conn ell ups selected by Deechsr and hts Bate
ites-it Ia 10 ba hoped thh& tn addition to Mn
gtnnton and Mtss Anthony, aud, Aboeo al. II
J md Hra richards, who will undoubtedly
csiiad ~ Eipea4e4, tho RAv. J. Fairfield,
Mansuell.--A CongEeg AionAi olergyman,-wi
he .uumQaed. Hha Ieoanty In print has declare
tLAk I,oech0Ts guilt "la not With ne matter
opln;on or belief. but OF absolute kuowlsdee..
. have no more assurance Of tho fhcts OF Dtylt
, revelation, upon which rieG my ctern1l aAly
ton, than Of tho facts ot this case." Hs Iii
/ plda thai ."Whsn Qaopta soms 70 kaoR>r' 4