The New York herald., 1879-03-12
CLERICAL COURIESIES.
Brooklyn Presbytery Preparing to
Try Rev. Dr. Talmage.
HE SPEAKS FOR HIMSELF
How the Witnesses Are To Be
Heard During the Trial.

/ L
| The adjourned meeting of the Brooklyn Presby-
terry held yesterday i'll the Second Presby
| Church. Clinton and Fulton streets. Though the
proceedings commenced as early nine the church
was well filed many ladies being present DR.. and
| Mrs. Talmage also present. =.
Thc business OF the adjourned meeting to
range the of the different witnesses who
would testify to each specification in the charges
contained in the report adopted by the Prcsbyery
| the previous day.
! The Rev. Dr. Crosby said that in accordance with
his best judgment he had designated the witnesses
as follows Under specifications and he had ar
ranged J. n. Hallock. L. Remington, Henry Dickin-
son. M. H. Bright, s. B. Leveridge T. s. Dodge and
Robert Waugh; specifications g. 4. and G. II. g.
Hobbs. W. s. Silcocks. D. F. Cogswell and John f.
Talmage; specification 4. Il. Fades; specifications 4
and T. Charles Nichols; specification 4. j. W. Hatha-
way and H. J. Van Dykes specifications and 6. Alex
ander Person; specifications g. and T. William M
Person; specification Z. Arthur Crosby; specifca
tions 3. and g. G. Latham; specification 8, Daniel
Talmase; specification Z. j. N. Green specification
| 8, s. D. Morris.
long debate here ensued to whether this
| signment should be adopted by the Presbyttry
Dr. Van Dyke opposed it's adoption being of opinion
| that it was simply matter of information to the
defendant as to who would appear against him.
DR.. Spear, in earnest speech, quoted largely
from the Book Of the Presbytery to show that Dr.
Talmage sentitled to all the rights that defend
| ant would have when under Indictment
DIR. Van Dyke then said in reply DR.. Spear that
such construction OF the law would work both
ways. and that if compainants witnesses were
limited to testifying to the specifications named
defendants witnesses would be subject to the same
| limitations
Dr. Talmage stepped from his seat in the pew and,
standing in the aisle, said: In the first arragnmcnt
OF my church before the Presbytery, eight or nine
years ago. when one OF the members of the session
| Dr. Van Dyke-I rise Mr.. Moderator, to correct Dr.
Talmage. That matter sent by the session of the
Tabernacle Church to the Presbytery for adjudca-
| tion.s
ABOUT HIS FRIENDS
DIR. Ta1mage-A resolution passed by the Taberna-
clio was sent. The case'was brought before the
OF the witnesses were attached to the charges
/ prominent men OF my church, was not sustained
aud the whole investigation turned out to be one
grand hzzle Now, want to call the attention Of the
Presbytery to the fact that dear friends of mine
are among these witnesses, is Father Pierson
and DR.. Tallnage placed his hand on the venerable
gray head OF Mr.. Person and continued) This is Mr.
Person; he is one Of the dearest friends have and
would rather sit at his feet at any time and learn
| than stand up and teach him. The other is Mr..
Charles Nichols. another dear friend of mine I
| have to be on my guard against them. (I.aughter)
DIR. Van Dyke called for the reading Of tho record
Of the Presbytery in reference to the proceedings
| The Moderator the Rev. Mr.. LUDLOW. ruled that
the record could not be read, but that DIR. Van
Dyke could read any of these records part Of his
| speech.
Mr. Van Dyke then read from the records which
showed that ut the solicitation of the BROOKLYN Tab
crnacle the Presbytery December T. 1871, inyest-
gated OF scaildal in which Mr.. ID. A. Way
charged Mr.. b. II. Corwin with defaming his charac-
ter; that the names of the witnesses given but
that they were not attached to each specification
Mr.. Corwin acquitted of the charga of defama-
In, Nu,Il o,fJ x1,ak
investigation grand fzzc." for there not
the slightest evidence to sustain the charge against
Mr.. Corwin. As far as the mode Of presenting the
names of the witnesses was concerned they had fol-
lowed the example of the Brooklyn Tabernacle in
that case
| The Rev. Mr.. AEllard moved the following resolu-
tom
That the trial Of this the witnesses assigned to
shall testify under the specifications.
This voted down, and the assignment by Mr..
Crosby of the witnesses stood approved without any
Limitation to whether they should be called upon
to testify on other charges than those named in the
NAMING THE PROSECUTORS.
DR.. Van Dyke moved that the number of prosecu-
tors be limited to two.
| Crosby and DIR. Van Dyke bo the prosecutors.
This proposition called forth laughter and ap-
DIR. Van Dyke declined to act in that capacity and
said that there were many reasons that would make
The Rev. Arthur Crosby made o personal explana-
ton disclaining that he actuated by any other
than the most honorable motives in the course that
he had taken in reference to this inquiry. He de-
MED that no had any feeling antagonism tow ard
DR.. Talmsse. and had only been prompted to what
he had done by tho desire to the good repu
tation OF the Presbytcry OF which he a member
DR.. Talmage said that he prompted to the
nation of the two brethren because they had mani
tested very great tenderness for his reputation and
q strong desire to promote the interests OF his
DIR. Van Dyke asked the Presbytery to excuse him,
| but as DIR. Talmage would not withdraw his motion
| the motion asking that Dr. Van Dyke be excused was
| nm nud votp I'm Tho nay-
| ative.
After short discussion DE-. Crosby and the Rev. A.
Mccullough we're appointed prosecutors
PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS ORDER.
DIR. Talmage-Is this an interlocutory meeting
Tho Moderator-No. sir; but ii you desire to make
u personal explanation you do so. Considerable
latitude has been allowed and think it can be
! tinucd.
DR.. Talmage-Then I would like to ask two or
three questions In regard 20 tho conducting of this
case. want to ask IT, as the trial goes ON. whether
| the gentlemen the Committee of Investigation
will have right TO vote? My reason for asking this
can be stated in few words. appeared before the
| committee There were questions asked ME involv-
| ing these charges. / made explanations and gave
statements and answers. had facts to
throw every charge that they made-,o throw
| IL fiat that ii could have lifted its
head again. had witnesses in the neighbor-
| hood who could have been summoned. l had books
there in evidence. My wife In the adjoin-
ing room. There wasn't statement made In the
charges that could not have ovorthrown there and
then. Twas positively refused that privilege. Now,
suppose Dr. Van Dyke was charged with wrongdong
OF some kind. suppose woat through Brooklyn
aud Nashville to Ana his critics to 20 before the
mittce. and suppose Dr. Van Dyke should say. ''I'd
like to go before the committee and present side
of the story Would II be right for the committee
to say that they wouldn't hear the evidence; that
they wouldnt hear his frendsg Now. have friends.
and. thank God. good many of them. Does IL seem
right that these brethren who had me before them in
solemn and earnest conversation desire only to hear
my enemies and have tho opportunity 10 vote against
| mcy Why there are men among these witnesses
! who have gone out OF my church in fury One OF
| thcin went out with profanity his irs and said
! he would follow me TO the day OF my death. want
TO ask II this committee have right 10 vote? In
| moment will ask some to be my counsel, but
| would like to ask this information now.
After this speech each member OF tho committee
| roso TO defend himself against the accusation OF
DIR. Tamagc, and stated that their instructions
limited them to the finding of sufficient evidence to
justify them In submitting report asking tho Pres
| bytcry to put DIR. Tainsge on trial. They stated
that II they had gone straw bey ond their instrIc-
tIons they would have been subject to the charge OF