The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-25
TROUBLE IN PLYMOUTH CUURCH.
Lady Member Ex com municatcd for Alleged
Siander-Inside History.

Mrs. Gertrude Beach, who has been
member OF Plymouth Church since 1866 was
excommunicatod at n special meeting OF that
church held ut the close Of last Friday nights
prayer meeting. The lady was found guilty by
tho examining committee Of having Sian
dercd Mrs. Elizabeth Duscnbury. one OF
the sisters NJ tho church. The church has been
dclibcrating upon what action should be taken
in Mrs. Bcach's case for two years. and pending
decision she was suspended Mrs. Bench was
for seven years an active teacher in the May
flower Mission. which Ia supported by Plymouth
Church. and she also taught in tho Plymouth
Sunday school
Perhaps forty members responded to tho call
for tho special meeting. The committee report
ed n recommendation that "thc wntch, caro-.
and fellowship OF the church be withdrawn
from Mrs. Beach"
member moved to cxrommunlcate hor. II
was suggeeted that the word was too harsh for
Congregational use. and that tho language Of
the recommendation wins pointed enough. A
member asked II she had really been convicted
Of the charge. Another replied that she had.
Thomas @. Shcormnn said that he had talked
with the woman. and he believed shc was Of un-
sound mind and wae not really responsible for
whnt shc had snid about the sister. still he bc-
li"ved in the virtue OF dlsciplinng the irrOgu-
lnrlilts OF members.
The question was put and the mae mcmbers
wern heard 10 vote In favor Of adopting tho
comm ittre's recommendation.
. DIR. Edward X. Boecher. the chairman Of tho
INhmining Committee. was asked yesterday
Whit Mrs Beach Is it, Doctor2 There are
several Bcaches on Plymouth's roll"
Hum. we'll can't remember"
Well. what .wns tho name Of tho sister who
was siandrredY
ta,veiy. and said. Mrs. Bcach charsrd The
sister with immoral conlu't with seaiaring
man. She failed to provo 10 the satisfaction Of
tho committee that such WIS the case."
Mrs. Beurh WIS found in Adams street. She
is small woman Of about 25 ladylike in her
manners. and evidently we'll oducated. All
that regret" she said ' is that ever joined
Plymouth Church, md do regret that most
sincerely. | haven't done anything wrong in
th's matter; have not snndered any
morality that I've been dropped. want the
world 10 SEQ what have boon disciplined for.
would stand hy my prin,pisS II Mr. Becchcr
iniimidatc mo. told Mr. Bcrchcr that was will
ing TO sw'ar the most solemn oath oyer invented
by man that have told the truth in this matter.
M woman lived IN tho house with me IN Mid.
dagh street, nni ! saw enough in her clndu t
toward Stcph. Horton. u He'll Cato pilot. 10
convince N that she was immoral. aud final
ly ordered her to leave the house. The pilot is
Il married man. and Mrs Dusenbury Is II
"There WIS another cas, Of a man-hc is dead
now. ana won't mention his numn-WhO was
charged with immoraiity. bu, il WIS hushed up.
of the church.
d? you really hclioyc thoro is much i'm
morality in That churrhy' was a-ked her.
- don't know" She snid smilingly. ply
mouth Church j. u bi place. There are nearly
5000 people in it, and they cau'tal be watched. '
Mrs. Beach said that she wished a charge Of
She would subppna Mr.. Halliday and DR..
White. and bring out all the facts.