The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-18
ON THE SPIRITUAL RACK.

DIR. TALMAGE TO BE INVESTIGATED By THE
BROOKLYN Observation-Disclosures DEBATE ON
THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON "coM-
MON FAME"
Pursuant to announcement the Brooklyn Presby-
terry met yesterday afternoon in the Second Presbye
Church for the purpose Of hearing the report of
the committee appointed to investigate the
common fame of Rev. 7. De Witt Tamage.
rial misconduct against that clergyman.
The attendance large, and included many ladies,
who seemed to take lively interest in the proceed
ings. DR.. Talmage was present. and occupied seat
about three pews from the front of the chance The
meeting called to- order by the Moderator, Rev.
James NJ. Ludlow. who in his opening prayer in
voked the divine blessing on the accused minister
and his congregation.
The Moderator then said that they had met for
special purpose and unless'the Presbytery had
other business transact they would proceed it.
whereupon Mr.. Spier moved that the Presbytery
hear the report Of the committee concerning the
charges brought against DR.. Talmage.
Rev. Arthur Crosby, chairman of the committee,
then read the following
members Of the committee there is doubt the
truct whcher in VIC should be compelled to
sueh charge and and we
suggest the Presbytery adjourn 70
will be ready to report in full.
This request of the committee for instructions in
regard to - charge and specifications" seemed to
meet with disfavor from several of the members
and during animated discussion which followed
on the question of accepting the report Of the COM
mittee Rev. Charles Wood moved to add. ''and TINT
the committee be discharged from further consider
alton of the matter"
Mr. Spier said he accepted the amendment
nv Van nx- En inf al lint tha t1o
man had no right to add the amendment to his reso-
luton. and asked tor division the question.
Mr.. Spier then promptly withdrew his acceptance
OF the amendment
Mr.. Van Dyke said he would consider the adoption
of the motion the most high-handed proceeding
he ever saw since his connection with the ministry.
He said there was such thing common fame
charged against member accused here. A commit
tee appointed to inquire into such common
fame. and now that the committee have reported
progress it is proposed to discharge them. If such
a thing done he would see that the matter
brought before a higher tribunal than the Presby-
terry,
| proposing that the committee be discharged.
THE FIRST CALL TO ORDER
DR.. Crosby, addressing the Chair called the gen.
The Moderator expressed himself at a loss to see
| the point of order. whereupon Mr.. Freeman re-
marked. Eyes. and nobody else sees the point.
either
Mr.. Willard was of the opinion that the committee
should reported what they had found as to the
| thought no power to formulate charges; their duty
to recommend the best course to be pursued and
then the Presbytery would decide what was best to
| be DONE
| Dr. Wells said that none but the members of the
! committee could know tine difficulties they had to
contend with while conducting the inquiry the
| common fame of Mr.. Talmage. and didn't believe
that the committee could be moved faster than they
MT Tamsge said lie had no interest in the upshot
of the present discussion. except far ii might
| interfere with his engagement for next week. He
said he had an engagement go West. but he would
certainly like to be present when the committee made
| they surely would want to have the corpse present
| Q.aughter) He hoped nothing would lie done that
would interfere with his going West on Monday. The
matter. he thought, might be adjourned to Wednes-
day morning and in the meantime, they could rake
his entire life to see il there is anything in it,
| A desultory discussion here followed, in which
| several of the members took part. few being in
favor of discharging the committee while the major
ity seemed to oppose it, On being put to the meet
| in1g the question: on the amendment. whether the
report be accepted and the committee discharged.
lost The question was then put as to accepting
| the report a basis of action, and adopted.
MAN WHO STANDS FOR JUSTICE.
Mr.. Van Dyke urged that it be determined as speed
lily possible by judicial examination whether
| deception and falsehood and other acts likely
to bring Gospel preaching into disrepute. No
is innocent or guilty but If he Ptand here charged.
matter by whoni-,he world. the flesh, or the
devil, or angel from hcaven-he should be tried,
aud IL found guilty be punished according to the
laws of the Church government. He then submitted
the following resolution
the fame AGAINST pT %"ss iGns al the eem
seso as ssy sha formulate such fame into
charge and aud the names OF the witnesses
DIR. Speir said such instructions to formulate
charges given to the COMMITTEE. and he hoped
that they never would be given.
DIR. TALMAGE TO BE INVESTIGATED.
After some further debate the Moderator put the
question to the adoption of MIR. vaa Dykes resolu
ton and IL declared lost. ,ir Van Dyke called
for the yeas and nays. which, when taken. altered the
result there being ~ for to 10 against Mr. Taimsge
declined to vote.
During a Discussion as to when the committee
should be asked to report DIR. Crosby pleaded for
time. He was opposed to having the Presbytery
order tho committee TO bring in report at certain
time and gave notice, fairly and squarely. that he
should not report until he was ready 10 do so.
Mr.. Freeman Oh his feet IN an instant, and
stigmatzed the last speaker arrogant and in
suiting young man, who comes here and tells this
Prcspy terry that matter what 1t wanted il should
wait until he was ready. For his part he strongly
| objected to such language
Dr. crosby said that IT, in the minds OF any of the
other members of the Presbytery he had spoken in
arrogant or indecent manner he wished to apollo
pze. He pleaded guilty to being young man.
urged that sufficient time be granted the committee
as they had also to inquire into the methods OF
| preaching on the part of the accused.
Mr.. Tamage-And you want.me to be hero to give
| you specimen --Iaughter)-I would like to put
DIR. Crosby In my pulpit In the morning and MIR. Van
Dyke in the afternoon in order to show my people
| what good preaching is
DIR. Crosby said that he had declined similar in
vtaton once before the ground that the congre-
cation would be greatly disappointed not hearing
| MIR. Talmage. u
| Mr.. Tamage-You ought to try 10 now. They will
| give you warm reception. (Laughter)
Mr.. Freeman said he advised DIR. Taimage to break
his engagement and not go West until the be-
fore the Presbytery had been disposed OF, other
wise, anxiety might spoil the trip.
MIR. Talmage--It won't spoil my trip; have got
nothing on my mind; never was 80 happy In my
| life.
The committee were finally requested to report at
adjourned meeting OF the Presbytory, to be held
| Oh March ~, At two p NJ. in the place.
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