The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-27
NO FELLOWSHIP WITH BEECHER.
DIR. DuplNoToN's CHURCH DECIDES NOT TO

DIR. DUDlN6ToN's CHURCH DECIDES NOT TO
TAKE PART IN THE COUNCIL.
snec al meeting OF the members Of the Clinton Ave-
nue Cong rccatona Church held last night IN the
church building OF Clinton and Lafayette ave.
The object OF the meeting was 10 consider letter
misslvc from the rompkins Avenue Congregational
Church inviting them 10 be present by pastor and
delegate formally insta DR.. HeImer IN his passionate
and TO extend 10 him the hand Of fellowship. Among
the churches invited was Plymouth Church. The
question at issue was whether the members Of the
Clinton Avenue Church should appear 10 recog.
nize or have fellowship with Plymouth Church
by being present at the proposed council
A minority OF the church in favor OF
Mr.. Beechor and consequently desired that the letter
o! invitation be accepted The majority Of the church
members, together with tho pastor, DR.. Burlington,
were opposed 10 having any fellowship with
Plymouth Church, and therefore voted 10 de-
cline the invitation, sending 10 the Tompkns
Avenue Church minute OF their reasons for so doing
Although numerically small the Beccher,es contrived
create lively scene and frequently expressed their
adulation OF the Plymouth preacher by loud applause
when anything said in his praise and by frequent
Kisses when the contrary was the case.
DIR. nuDINcToN's REMARKS
Dr. Buddingion then arose and addressed the meet
ing. He Analysed tho different kinds OF congrcga.
tiona fellowship and then proceeded TO warm cham
pionshi p OF the rights OF Nrs Mouon to membership
In Plymouth Gu urch, from which she excluded with
out any charge having been preferred against her.
~ take my stand, said he 'by the woman or by the
CHI lid who is put out from church without trial.
The congregationasm OF Plymouth Church 10 not the
congrcgationalism OF this cnurch nor OF tho
fathers, OF tho churches OF this country.
When pastor receives fellowship from the Con-
grcgatioual ministers he is responsible to those
ministers for his subsequent actions, and when COM
mon fame charges him with a crime II Is the usage
OF Congregational churches that the minister
cused should have tho exclusive selection OF the court
that IL 10 try him." He concluded by praying his
grcgation not to accept the letter.
Mr. Elwell begged the members to lay aside every
personal consideration IN deciding. II say amen 10
that, too, " added DR.. Burlington Mr. Wood said that
tho question Of Mr. Beecher's guilt innocence
should not DO brought up "Does any know
that no Is guilty. he ASKED applause and Kisses;
cries OF '.Order orderly lin dsfeowshpping Ply
mouth Church. we dlsfellowship ourselves. have yet
to learn that single church. except Dr. Sorrs has
arrayed itself beside U.S." tApplause Various other
remarks were made by Mr. A. G. Barnes, Mr. Packard.
the latter gentleman speech Dr. Hutchinson moved
the previous question. This adopted by vote OF
Al 10 II Mr. Elwells substitute was adopted
amendment bya vote OF 10 to o. The original motion
decline the invitation TO the council with the addi
ton of Mr. Elwelis explanatory ute, was then
rled by vote OF l55 to ~. Dr. Hutchinson then
moved that whenever like invitation involving fellow
ship with Plymouth Church be received similar des
clinaton aud minute be sent as tho answer OF tho
church. Dir. A. $. Barnes tried TO prevent the adop
OF this rule by motion TO adjourn but the latter
motion lost and the rule adopted by vote Of
II 10 20.