, 1877-02-25
THE COMMON SENSE M 77

1Ao iaodsaAcit committee have BET
rather tiercely assailed in the matter of +
tuslng to open their building for HEINZ
WARD BEEcHER either for lecture or for
sermon Some of the papers have charge
them with dagrant Phariseeisn one edit
even accusing the Chairman OF saying to NJ
BEEcHEn: 81 am holier than thou" This
hardly fair play IN the circumstances, an
[ the fact ought to be evident, apnrt from an
Judgment as to tie guilt or innocence Of Nj
bEEcHER. We have neither occasion no
desire to say anything on the latter point
but few observations in connection viii
the bearing Of admitted facts upon the pub
lie relations OF the Great Accused will no
be out Of place, in view Of the discussion
IN progress. Let rs seeif We cannot reac!
the common-sense ideas at the bottom, of
| the matter
| In merely financial and business point o1
view, those having control of public hal
a7o"ed'y offered to all desiring an audi.
ence~room, on the payment of the required
rens, need not concern themselves with the
disputed questions respecting the opinions
and conduct of one who seeks it's use. Bv
renting it to him, they do not indorse his
ooct'7nes, or his character, any more than
does the hotel-keeper who furnishes him
apartment and meals at the usual xer diem.
II the Tabernacle had been erected for such
purpose, or, if for reason satisfactory to
those interested, it we're now held open FIR
6uch use as a place to be had for
n1re Tor any moral public entertain
ment, thera could havo been no ground for
refusing it to Mr. BEEcHEH, any more than
tor refusing the Mccormick Hall, where he
actually iectured. 1t is not the part Of tho
proprietors of public halls to sit in iudr-
ment upon the mooted questions of the dav
But the Moody Tabernacle was erected for
specific purpose, and, it is said, with al cx-
phc't agreement that it should be used onlv
tor the revival meetings, and for exercises
Under the auspices Of the Young Mems |
christian Association. If that be so. thu
Committee in charge must be the sols iudces
II the compatibility or incompatibiiitv If
ny proposed exercises with the understand
ng under which they act; and they had q
light to rule out MIR. BEEcHEn,s lecture,
II, now, one ask whether the matter stands
different light by reason OF the proposa1
nat Mr. BEEoHEn should be allowed to nreoth
I Inc tabernacle, a view of the case AZ il
'ould naturally present itself to the Com.
lttee does not relieve the matter Of dia6-
a@ty' even on the supposition that, person
" and privately, each member of it was
stsoaoea y OF Alr. BEEcHERs purity. For
eenumes one cannot in public matters act
pom Ills private opinions, but must recop. !
&c an existing state Of things, however
fortunate that state Of things NAV ho /
ow' IN the'case Of a1r. BEEcHEE, there is a
f1ons division Of public opinion. A larue =
nuoef hold HIM to have been proven puiltv t
the evidence produced in court. Many 4
aers hesitate to go SO far, and only affirm
ut the case looks badly, and that tho c
'nsed has failed as yet to yindicata ii. a
aocenee' 4 third class holds that be is a,
guilty Of immoral conduct, but has BEEN ci
foolish and imprudent. 4 eonr+h T
IS mas only admiration for his character ~ -.
l conduct, and considers him the most th
secuted saint Of the ages This e1iEerenc,
oplnlon Is due, IN no small degree. to tno OF
that the civil suit tried only . single D.
row issue, and admitted only a single Ina 10 10
evidence, and yet resulted not in nn oc. Ia "a
Etal' but IN disagreement Of the inrv. St,
% an ecclesiastical trial, none whatever has to
had' nor even offered, except upon con- o., o.
DIS SO unusual as to call forth solemn ~,
'ess from many OF the most eminent =
sYmen Of the denomination, and to 1ead ho1
ne organization Of d new local associa. illu
OF ministers by those who were nm. tae
Re-. -, eS "eao"sMp With | hat
nkzcaEk: This aspect of the case, re- Of
reed b7 the efforts which were made tn hav
ent tho trial of HI. Mou17os's suit. has thel
tne community, here as elsewhere. nv. tss.