The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-17
YORK HERALD WEDNESDAY APRIL IT, l87s-TRlPE SHEET

during tho last four weeks and tho assiduous
caro- ne had always taken for his children. II was
stated that four weeks ago, when he visited Brooky
hernot ony made Mrs. Tliton present OF due
camols' HAIR shawl but supplied quite an amount OF
new furniture il Mrs. Morses house Tor the accom-
n0dlion OF his wife.
leading church member informed tho reporter
that Mrs 1ilton could ask Tor letter OF dismissal
iiom Plymouth Church. Those letters, frequently
applied Tor, declare IN substance that tho member
asking for the same Is in good standing aud with
draws at his or her own request, ana - "tnere-
lore commended 10 tho love and care Of any
o nav Be cr Tssss when e1s ara ms GOOD ner
year. II they are not presented 10 some other
church suitable explanation must be given why they
nave not been so presented whether owing To absence
IRON tho country or sickness Mrs. fiiton.
ever since sho left the ovington family in Hicks
street and moved to Madison street to reside
WITH Mrs. Morse, has been attending Rev.
Dr. Duryea's Presbyterian Church on Claasson
some memocrs OF rymouth Cnurch stated 10 CONVEX
saon with The writer that II was not necessary 70
wait Tor monthly meeting In order - take action in
regard TO The dismissal OF any member. When
ever request Tor letter OF dismissal was
received by tho Clerk OF tno Church. II would
have TO DO read at the Friday night meeting. and
action could be taken on II there and then s'Wnv,
sir, SAID one gonllemeu, "one OF the get
out Of Plymouth Church-cither Mr.. Beechcr or Mrs.
Tilton. rncy cannot both remain members OF the
church now"
SENTIMENTS or THE CLERGY
reporter called upon several pastors In this city
10 ascertain their views upon this unexpected Reopen
ing OF the Beechcr troubles.
ir. Taylor, OF tho Broad way Tabernacle in his
ject OF the new phase which the Brooklyn scandal
has taken was mentioned to him he said promptly,
~ really know nothing about II, adding. alter a
short pause ''eher US 10 the parties concerned in II
or as 10 It's possible iuture Developments" Alter
10 mo that tho matter rests altogether with
Plymouth Church, and am not sufficiently nc
II will take. or whether viii take any, Tho
reporter then inquired whether the recent develop
ment would lead 70 any church discipline in regard to
Mr.. Beccner or call for the assembling OF congre-
gationni council. NO. said DR.. Taylor, "uniess
Plymouth Church takes the Initiative" He further
said that he had not thought OF the matter mucn
and concluded laughingy, 81 would like 10 help you,
but cannot see further into milestone than other
men,
Mr.. Hcpworth, OF the Church Of tho Disciples, was
found his residence In West Forty seventh street,
aud although unwilling to enter INTO any prolonged
conversation tho subject made lew pertinent
marks which reflect 10 considerable extent the feel
ing in the city. Whom questioned az 10 whether Mrs.
moving church discipline III respect TO Mr.. Bsecher,
he replied:-"Oh, no; tho aspect OF the
is concerned. Hrs Tilton IN inis letter
merely admits her guilt That she admitted before
aud again contradcted, and she has told so many
stories that her statements cannot be credited by
Impartial person. Tho lcter, AS matter of proof, Is
worthless; but II there should DO any documents be-
hind IT, then, Of course, the csc would ASSUME DIFF
ferent aspect" He added, ~ am surprised that
when Mrs. riltoa made move sho dii not
You re err Mr.. Hepworth 20 asked the reporter.
"weli" saa Mr. Hepwoith, "a position that would be
forhed by documentary proof Tor Is hardly possible
letters, II such relations those she asserts sted
between hor and Mr.. Becchcr." Whom questioned rs
10 what ho thought would be the effect on public
opnion Mr. Hepworth SAID he believed that the pub.
caion OF Mrs. rltons letter would result in reaction
In Iav0r Of Mr. Beecber.
MnrnoDisrs' VIEWS or DISCIPLINE
Tho Rev. DR.. j. T. Newman, OF tho seventh Avenue
Methodist Episcopal Church, declared that his conf
dence in Mr. Beecher's innocence was unshaken. slt
Is very pain he said tbat Mrs Tllt0n's word goes
Tor nothing. She has asserted Mr.. Beecher's inno-
cence 80 long that any confession IRON her now must
not be allowed To have much weight
"But, Doctor, how would you deal with such case
porter asked
III Mrs. rilton was Methodist the Doctor
Piled, Il could answer your question without much
difficulty. The Methodists would never let such an
allegation rest until the whole matter was sitted to
other"
'rhen you think the Congrosationalists ought 10
pursue similar policy :"
nor Mr. Boecher can naord to lot tho matter rest In Its
present shape Tho question must be decided, and u
IS great pity that verdict Was not reached when tho
VIA tired by the civil courts Such result then
would render any action unnecessary now,
aud It must be admitted that tho question
10 one OF great practical difficulty. Important
as the subject Is as regards not only Mr. Becchcr,
but tue Christian Church and Christian civilization,
and necessary as rs decision OF the question doab.
whether u satisfactory conclusion will ever be
reached The case has boon 80 surrounded by doubts
and diGicult,cs thnt only two people, Mr.. Beechsr
and Mrs. Tilton, know tho truth OF u, and when shc
assevoratrs thing aud he another only hcr
contradictions ssken account but characte
ishment OF the Innocence OF the accused 1t is the
late OF ali good mon 10 be viiied and traduccd Even
the Master coliod wine-bbocr and the friend OF
Sinners Mr. Beecher has not been more fortunate,
but he fortunate IN the fact that his whole lite Is
CONT adiction OF the Tillon charges.
rhe Rev. w. II. Hatfield, of the Eighteenth Street
Methodist Episcopal Church. was very pronounced IN
his belief IN Mr. Beechcr's Innocence. "Mrs Titon
began exceedingly weak woman" he SAID, or ono
peculiarly subjected by her surroundings II she made
the confession " ifch was printed In the HERALD ats
morning. / cannot conceive how II can DO true nor
n [ W n uCce IA A.
persisted in declaring her anu Mr. Bcecners In
nocenoc too long TO justify tho vac'liaton which
makes her change about pow.n
GLOW would you deal with such a hcrs
question OF church discipline. :" the reporter asked.
With tho utmost severity Mr.. Hatneld answered,
''Mcre expulsion IRON the church would not 10 lar
enough-that Is, supposing Mr.. Beccner rs innocent.
II IS terrible thing 10 assai the reputation OF mn
tsor OF the Gospel ana he wav which Mr. Bcecncr
has been nssacd Is something unparalleled ia the his
tory OF the world rhore Is no. aoo,her case which
can IN any way be pared with IT.
''But Is not Mt. Bcccher's innocence involved In
some doubtY"
.rherc arc difficulties in the way OF establishing IT,
In his forvor and passion no often says things
10 which he gives very different Interpretation 70
the ordinary construction thut Is put upon hts words
lie - frequently tho victim OF his own gush /"
"Then you regard the famous scandal letters MS
'gnsh y''' The reporter suggested.
IL am willing 50 TO regard them, although II the
evidence OF Mr. Bccchcr's quit at all clear ID
TO disbe in bis innocence and tins confess
sion OF Mrs. nlton's In no way changes my opinion "
Whnt motive could MRS. rilton have in making this
confession at this time II II is untrue Z" the reporter
inquired.
Theodore Tilton had very powerful motives TO
cure tho publication OF such document II possible.
Years he declared his purpose TO destroy Beechcr
and ne docs not seem TO be a man who would lightly
give up SGT purpose lie failed ~ the courts, and,
failing there. u IS only natural that some such
result as this should ensuo n DO could bring
Il about Aud then, to Mrs. Triton, she
also may have worry powerful motives which would
lead Der 10 make a statement Ike this that is
iriou,cd. She may DO very anxious Tor recooci'ia.
ton With her husband, aud either with reason or
without any regard such statement rs necessary to
elect the OBJECT she mas ia view.n
"ihcn you would regard THIS publication as very
great ioiyp
81 cannot imagine anything more disastrous IN It's
consequences than has this Bccchcr scandal
a. ~ IN be m