New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-18
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
REPORTS or AN ATTEMPT TO REOPEN THE BEEcnER



SCANDAL.
When "A TRIBUNE reporter attempted on Satur-
day to obtain the views OF prominent gentlemen IN IT,
gard to the rumOred movement to have the approaching
National Congregational Council composed OF men
strongly committed against Mr.. Beecher, there was
one continual request of: Excuse me- but
would not like to say anything about That
matter" or 81 hope that subject will not come up
again Ihave no opinion about it at ALL" One gentleman
declared that he would consider it a calamity II his
name was mentioned in connection with ihe matter
This gentleman. who took prominent part III the
great trial. stated that steps were undoubtedly Doing
taken In New-England "to pack" the National
Council with delegates hostile TO Plymouth Chureh
and its pastor Tho influences at work to accomplish
this purpose he thought powerful The probable
ity OF the scheme being successful he considered
very remote. The only thing that c0ud DC
done by the Council If controlled by an
adverse element. would be to pass r9 res
ashcal tlas should he conducted ana pI0Oibiy
giving its opinion as to the tnais ALREADY sao
resolutions" continued the gentleman would De
considered by Mr. Beocher's enemies to nc q DOW at
ever, ! think MI Beecher and his church would
not go INTO decline over 1T Does oo, IL
posed Of persons hostile to Plymouth Church would
reopen the Beecher trial ard scandal B{ no means
and there Is no possibility OF such calamity ooiaHns
Alter canycrsing with number of other gentlemen
connected with the Congregational Church, ana ilHhs
that they knew no hing OF tae New Engiao etPeS"s
teal log rolling" ana said they prayed tiAI ii
was a mere rlmor the reporter visited the Rev.
Lyman Abbott, editor O The hrtSi,an tnon'
a have reasons for thuking" SAID Mr. Abbott
that an attempt being made in few places IN New
England TO secure special representation AT the
National Council, which meets in Detroit next
October. do not thinR il VIII be successful move
.mout. and should he clad 20 find that am mistaken
about there being such disposition among me OOiI
CregatiOnalisjs the places nave IN mind 30 laf as
know the friends OF Mr.. Beecher have made no attempt
10 have their friends chosen DELEGATES. am
very sure nothing Of the kind has been done III New
York, as only the State representatives nave Oceh
elected No local conference uas been or VIII probably
De held for either New-YOrk CITY or BrO0kYn,
and these cities will undoubtedly have no dele
gates IN the Council. There is general feelng,
nInk uai there is occasion for the further agitation
OF the subject II would only do injury 70 the cause
of Cougregationalsm and Christianity. II such steps
are taken and are attended with success the only action
which a Council hostile 10 Mr. Beecher could take
would Ice 10 express It's opinion by resolution IN
regard to the general principle That should govern &C.
clesiasiicai trials ii such action were takcli tne
custom Of trying minister by MS own ana
neghboriug churches would probably be dsappfoNed.
in THIS way IL might be supposed by the enemies nc,
OF Plymouth Church that The Church ana MI
Beecher were being visited by ecclesiastical retil-
button. At any rate what Is c1led tne
Beccher scandal could not up IN any shape 40
not think Council VIII specially touch upon MI
Beecher OF Plymouth Church at all"