The sun., 1878-06-11
MRS. TILTON'S LETTER READ.
HER RECENT CONFESSION MADE As A
CONS SCTENTIOUS DUTY.
The Charge Of Beecher's Adultery Emphati-
caiiy Reiternted-Mrs. Walton Appearing
Before the Plymouth Church Committee.

Before the Plymouth Church Committee.
The Examining Committee OF Plymouth
Church met last evening in the church parlors
to hear Mrs Tilton's answer to the complaint OF
Mrs. Barbara Walton. who charged her with
slnndering her pastor and averrlng that he had
committed adultery with her. Mrs. Walton and
other witnesses had been summoned to testify
as to the publication and genuineness OF Mrs.
Tlton's letter Of confession. dated April 10.
1878. The committee was organized ten min
utes after by appointing Mr.. Richardson
Chairman. Pastor Halliday then offered u brief
prayer. supplicating moro wisdom from on
high. After prayer Mr.. Joseph Richards. Mrs.
Tilton's brother. accompanied by Mr.. Ira
Wheeler appeared before the committee and
said that they were tho bearers OF n letter from
Mrs. Tiiton. who declined to appear In person.
Mr. Wheeler asked the committee II they would
receive the letter. On being answered in the
Affirmative Mr.. Wheeler laid sealed letter on
the table. II was opened and read by the clerk.
The representatives Of Mrs. Tilton then asked
whether anything more was desired Of them.
and on being informed that the letter was sum-
cicnt. Mr.. Richards and Mr. Wheeler retired
Another witness. who was present was also
politely thanked for answering summons to
appear. and informed that his presence would
be no longor required.
toms letter for publication. but the purport Of
1t was that her late confession was made as q
matter Of conscientious duty. after repenting Of
the lalsahoois she had told - the effect that Mr..
Bncchcr was innocent She reiterated the
charge Of adultery In an emphatic manner,
calling God 10 witness tile truth Of her state
ment and she hoped that tho truth would blot
out the lies she had disseminated.
The committee than sent for Mrs. Walton.
who repeated the interview with Mrs. Tilton on
the evening OF April l3 regarding The genuinc-
ness of her letter, H. printed in THE sun.
The committee sat with closed doors. and
would give no Information to reporters. who
lined the stairs leading to the parlors.
Alter Mrs. Walton had been cNnmined as to
the charges Of slander ngainst Mrs. Tilton.
vote WIS taken IA TO the disposition of the
charges. and il was unanimously resolved to
report the entire proceedings tp tho church,
and 70 recommend that wnteh caro-. and fellow
ship bee withdrawn from Mrs Tilton. under rule
3 OF the manual. IA amended after tho council
of 1876. The committee instru tod Mr. Tlln"y
IL prepare a report, and they then dispersed
with the UNDERSTANDING that they would meet
The rulcs of the church require the Examining
Committee 60 keep its pro ,ecdingS private until
Otherwise ordered hy the church. the committee
agreed To- strictly observe this rGlc and 10 refuse
To give any Information.
Inc, committee mas not arranged Tor any
church meeting. but as soon us its report II pre-
pared IT will make call for meeting. which
must he announced from the pulpit. Mr. Thos
q. Shenrman said that he was wholly ignorant
as to the action Of the committee. but he said II
the committee had reached q conclusion it
would not he difficult to infer what il was. The
case went against Mrs. Titon by default. as it
would in a court Ot justice If she did not reply
to u summons there. Tho committee, he, ,was
| sure. would not consent to make public Mrs.
| Tilton's statement. Then Mr. sherman threw
q. WuierproOl coat about him. and hurried to
| Mr. llnlliiHys house to read over the statement.
| Mr. Signor and nil OF the other members Of the
committee refused to disclose the secrets Of the
committee room.
The house at Iis IIowes street. Brooklyn. tho
| residence OF Mrs. Tilton. WAS completely dark
ened last night. save the small room on the
| third nOor. In answer 10 ring Of the bell. the
| window OF this small room was cautiously
| raised. and nightcnpped head was thrust into
| the outer darkness. and there seemed to be an
| attempt 10 pierce the gloom between It and the
| d ior below. The effort was only partially sue
| cessful. and the nghtrapped head was with
| drawn. and the window was as cautiously
lowered to the sill. Aminut' and half after
| ward a step was heard on tho stairs. the inner
| door chain ratified. the bolt few sharply back.
| and woman's voice. high keyed and signll-
| cant, was heard.
| Who's thcrcy
| " | want to see Mrs. TIton."
| Who II II p
An unfortunate who wants n statcmen-''
| haVc nothing to say. was the reply. and
| back flew the bolt. the door chains ratified. and
| the reporter was lclt cnging in despair to the
| handle Of the door bell