Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-04-14
The Brooklyn Scandal.

Soon after the adjournment Of the Advi-
sorry Council, the Rev. DIR. Leonard Bacon,
in Il published letter, appealed to Prof.
Smyth and the Committee Of the Andover
Church t. assume the responsibility of
presenting charges against Mr.. Beecher
aud maintaining. them before the lnvesti-
eating Commission. Prof. Smyth, in reply
to DR.. Bacon's appeal. has written long
letter to the Tribune in which he explains
why, in his judgment, the Andoyer Church
cannot take this step. He holds that the
Commission in its origin. authorship. and
proposed constitution fails to meet the re-
Quirements of the case. He has nothing to
say against the Committee to select the
Commission. They are - honorable and
honored brethren" all of whom ''are
above the suspicion of intentional I'M
fairness. But they were appointed by
Council that was swayed by the contagious
enthusiasm of Plymouth Church and held
spell-bound by the magnetism Of its pastor.
No one was put on the committee who
" was known to doubt Mr.. Beecher," and
hence they are not competent to select
from twenty irreproachable names the
Judges in the investigation Moreover,
with respect to some of the gentlemen
named by the Council as the persons from
whom the Committee of Three are to select
the Commission, it is al least not imprOb-
able that they are in sympathy with the
prevailing opinions and spirit Of the COun-
ell which designates them" 1t seems to
Us that this is bringing the objections down
to pretty fine point. The directors to the
Commission seem to US fairly open tc the
charge that in wrangling over means they
are losing sight Of ends We should have
been glad if the Advisory Council had ad
yiscd Plymouth Church to accept the An
dover invitation to Mutual Council. 1t
did not so advise, because, as one Of its
leading members has said. il supposed a
Commission would be more satisfactory to
the ministers and papers which have been
calling most loudly for thorough investiga-
ton. ANYHOW, we believe the verdict Of
Commission, like that proposed, especially
if it shall include Judge SLipmans emin-
ent Judicial ability, would be more readily
accepted " the great public than thst Of
strictly ecclesiastical COUNCIL But
those whom the Advisory Council
tiled to sui, attack the Commission
in advance, asa mere whitewashing device.
When the Brooklyn Association appoints
committee 10 work with the commission and
to..see that it goes 10 the bottom Of the bust
ness, and puts Doctors Storrs and Bading-
ton on that committee, they not only refuse
to serve, but ding out Of the Association
And now tie Andoyer gentleman coolly asks
that the commission be abandoned, and that
the mutual council be proceeded with The
comments Of the T15tne seem to Us amply
justified
II the church were to abandon the CJun-
ellis Commission and revert to the Andover
scheme, il would insult the two hundred
and eighty delegates by whose advice it
promised 10 be guided Can Prof Smvih
reasonably expect Plymouth Church to set
al defiance council representing - many
Congregational churches His plan can be
carried out only through the agency Of an
* Ilrte council. and that body. or any com
mittee appointed By it, would be open u
the eauf ~aspicila Of parti-anship which he I
himself decrIes. Nay, more the attempt /
to substitute the Andover plan for that II .
the Advisory Council may lead 10 breach .
in the Congregational communion lust d. it /
has already in the Congregational Ministers
Association Of New York and BROOKLYN.
Bat aside from the partissnship Of tie
Council from which il derives it, authority.
Prof Suytl holds that there j. an insurer
able objection 10 the commission He has
conferred with several witnesses whose
testimony has never been heard and be
has a>certaincd that they viii have
nothing to d. with the Commission.
They are ready TO testify before a
Mutual Council but they VII not open
their lip before the Commission and so
long - their testimony Is repressei Mr.
Beecher vii. remain unyiudicated hence
a Mutual Council must he called Let
Prot. Smyih try it the other way. Mr.
Beecher ana Mrs. TIlton are witnesses who
must be heard before Mr. Beecher can be
condemned. lie; = assume that they Will
have nothing to 90 with a Mutual Council.
although they are perfectly willing 10 testify
before the Investigating Commission Hence.
II Prof SMITH rule l. to work both
. -. a..
mus, be accepted The simple TACT i that
have 10 right TO dictate the form
Of the tribunal. Let DR.. Dexter and Prof
Dwight split hairs over the Cambridge and
Boston platforms The witnesses have
nothing TO do with ecclesiastical urecedents
and Congregational polity. They have only
10 tell what they know. Il any man know,
lught against Henry Ward Beecher, it Is his
PLAIN duty to speak out. whether the inyesti-
,ation l. ordered By an Advisory or Mutual
Council.
Those who are the loudest in til cir de-
nand for an Investigation are themselves
lhckiug the wheels in their anxiety 10
switch of the machine into their own track. !
They are Ike the brakeman who cries to {
he engineer 10 start the tram and vet crowds
Town the brakes with all hi- might The !
Congregational churches have duty which l
hey must not shirk. They must dreiee :
hi cesspool To the bottom while the com I
nunity holds its nose Ttey must acquit or /
5uvict their leading preacher. The new I
estlmony can he laid before the Commits
I1n If charges are made. Some if not all Of
he di>ting uishei Doctors Of Divinity who
ave been criticising the action Of the I
'ouncH are evidently convinced Of Mr. Q
guilt. DR. Fairfield is as sure Of :
a. Of bis souls salvation. Let them act
. Dr.. Bacon invitation. Let them IS 9
ame the responsibility Of the charges and a
resent the names Of their witnesses. and for i
ught that we can see an investigation can {
e had without delay under the auspices Of '
be honorable and honored brethren" for .
HON Prot Smyth has such high regard, :
nd whose integrity seems to be unchal- !,
'nged. The boast Of Congregations ism !,
a. been that it j. founded on common /
Use principles. 1t i high time to yindi- \
ite the claim. 4
Judge POland's Position =
Nh. EDITOR i notice in the Rutland i
lo5e Of the 9TH, that the editor thereof q
ltes as though by authority that Judge h
bland, the chairman Of our Cincinnati g