New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-02-05
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
NOT HOSTILE TO Mr.. TALMAGE.

NOT HOSTILE TO Mr. TALMAGE.
TIE BROOKLYN PRESBYTERY, N sELP-DETENCE
COMPELLED TO ASSENT TO An INyEsTIGATIoN.
To the EdltOr or The Tribune.
SIR: The remark in your editorial columns
this morning concerning action taken by the Prshy
terry OF Brooklyn, the regular meeting held yesterday
reqrrs some qualification. 1t represents the action rs
apparently unfricndy 20 Mr. Talmage. To those unac
quainted with the usages Of the Presbyterian
Church Il may appear So The members q, the
PresbyterY are responsible for the character
and reputation of the ministers WHO constitute
IT, II their character - assailed and detained unruth
fully ana uniustly, il Is to be defended and yndlcaeu
and the influence the whole body, far as that may
90, to be employed for protection. II II is truthfuy
and Justly criticised II is the duty Of the body Ia nVes
ugate and decide, and protect the churches from IN
worthy persons assuming 10 discharge the functohSo
the ministry among them. There are TWO ways IN winch
an inquiry may be instituted. irresponsible person ma
prefer charge accompanied by prm1 iaclc eNIu'l'c
Attending a probability that III the event OF an lu-
vesrisdton the charge may 10 maintained OF
IT, at the outset the charge should present grave
appearance II Is COMPETENT the PrcsOyterY Ia decde
whether investigation might not conduce to the IN
ters Of all parties concerned II So they required
to proceed according to specific rules lad down
IN the hook OF discipline. Another ground Of pro-
cccdng may be established. THIS - Ahordcd oy
what j. called common fame" that Ia, sneh
general umor, concerning the character Of minis
ter a> may ,nt TO impair his usefulness and to hrihS
repIoach upon the church 10 which lie belongs ana 'He
cause o. religion generally. Any member OF the Pre-by
terry may feel 10 be hs duty, and possesses the Fgh
to call the attention OF the PcsoyIery to the existence
~ this COMMON fame ana ask whether IN the uis-
neu the body it has become 80 serious because o
It's soucc- nature and effects to demand an inVesu-
gltiou and final denvcrducc Of Judgment IN tue mat
ter II does not believe the charge he may take
this course m the interest Of the person accused
II Is often the case int the person accused
himself takes the Initiative. II, however, the
person asking FOR invest legation believes the charge
to be truc he may acr view OF responsibility
IN reference 10 the purity OF the church The Presby
terry may al instant, from facts in tho possession Of
the members, hr Of TIE opinion that the charge Is 1.-Two
lous. or NcXdtIous, and may 30 declare and take no
further action. H. however. the charge has been made
by mrn accounted pOusI1e. ana Is accompanied with
far offer proof and has obtained currency. ana Is
affecting pubic opinion to the dctrment ot the ind-
vdua or the church, II the duty OF the PieSoy
terry to IN. ti,ute an examination.
The fact. in the case Of Mr.. Talmagc these:
charge has been made against him in the public papers
by person persons, formerly associated with MIN Ia
an Official capacity IN his church. II 1t is true. and -
tncy represent it to be, It serou, charge IL mas
been So considered by uulutudrs, who have declared
their ind eut to members OF the Prsbytery d-du and
again. Mr. Ia mage has given currency to the charge
himself by publicly noticing IT, member 81 the Pres
bytcrv, in view OF these CONSIDERATIONS, frit
~ 10 bc a., duty call the attention
~ t bod 10 the charge nature, and the extent OF
publicity the amouuting in his Judgment 10 the pro-
PORTIONS Of common fame as commonly Interpreted
lne uruor who prrfOmcdt Is uutN J. not open 70 the
cnargr OF unrcHdhntss To Mr. lamdSe s.mpN D.
cause hc performed 10. For au-hJ any one Du Ilmstu
1uI, know me may Dee bosom friend of Mr. lalmage
actns u his interest. Event. be is ~ no special rela
T pI,6 T me ends Of Justice. he Is not TO
be nterreted as PERSONALLY HnlHt ,hy ,rtl lie
ni involved mai some acton be taken lie does not
hecome accuSer out SIMPLY gives hplce "l Ms own
friIu OF u-IDN, calls the atrntou oi the Pres
bvt-ry ana IeayesIt with tne bod, 10 judge wheur
any action Is r'quired HIS PROPOSITION w. simply,
that committee be appointed 10 examine mt" me MAJ
Ter and To report what action, m any, should be taken
tn the premises lhoHe Nno YOU LOT tS p9pVsI."n
are to be understood as uullIrhu 10 III. "l"aE''
FOR any or every OF them may nave voted m Tie
affirmative from desire 10 90 nun IdNot 10y aHoIuias
ulm opportunity Oh, Elu''dIloh' dIu 10 eve Ihe
weight oi the influence Of the body TO he yindcdon
SolarI nave attempted to snow that the members of
the Prc>bytey have not necessarily Sow mn iehdi
ness To Mr. 1ange by their aruOn. II II Is nreaiu t.
men allow nie 80 ~ the ,ro~msttio In examin,
am prepared Say that they are not eapabe OF frend-
mess to Mr. Ttmage. They may not Ike ms style ~
! pulpit address, the subjects OF ms discourse,
they are not hostile but friendly TO hin.
Ihey have h9ped that IN ninG le "ouI no mUdy u.s.
"ble TO goo I'm h- place ana o. MS people. was
r .iinst Mr. Tsimaee would be thor ughy met
ana rcluted by him TO the satlN non the wAor com,
muuity and therefore Won not need TO o. considered
then. az body at aI may aad bl thst 'i , 81
the papers. that some one was likely to III
stitute action yesterday ehdeaVoEed To ma out
If there was any probability OF 1t, with
inc view OF using their Influence To
secure delay if couli be establ ishcd, IN probability
mar the whole matter would be cleared up 10 The salts,
fct0u OF al Interested. TIe writer IL, and always has
been friendly Mr.. Talmage. While not dlsn0sed TO
inmate hs methods and anxious that no one else snnuu
iout ~, pecuiaIiues, be has always hoped mat he
ignt Increase real power aud substantial usefulness
he yt.,i A. he GId, affirmative, because the mat
Ter had into such form a. 40 leave n" o"tlon To
man VINO Intends to Keep promise to abide by The
laws u tho Church If wnicn lie is a PALSBfIE TER
HrDuLIRn. Feb. 4. ls1y.