The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-13
PLYMOUTH CHURCH BEGS OFF
ASKS X-SCIENTISTS TO CANCEL
LECTURE CONTRACT.
Board Of Dfacons and Board OF Trustees
Both writ Their Opposition Down in
thu Church Records and c Entreat
EDDY Folk to Respect Their Position.

EDDY Folk to Respect Their Position.
Before the regular services at Plymouth
Church. Brooklyn, yesterday morning,
thirteen OF the fifteen members OF the board
Of deacons met in the lecture room and
discussed the question Of the leasing OF the
church for the Christian Science lecture
next Thursday. The deaoons we're OPP
posed 10 tho use OF the church for that
purpose and they desired that the church
books should contain a record OF their
opposition. So a resolution wal unani-
mously adopted to the effect that the board
Of deacons protested against the letting OF
Plymouth Church for any such purpose as
a lecture on Christian Science and the roSo-
lutions were forwarded to the board Of
trustees, which was TO meet directly after
the board Of deacons adjourned.
The board Of trustees then took up the
matter. Deacon White explained that the
church had been let without any thought
Of comment being raised by anybody.
He explained it as a purely business trans
action without the slightest idea Of in
dorsing the ideas Of Christian Scientists.
After a long debate. which at times was
rather heated, q resolution was adopted
in which the clerk was instructed 70 draw
up a letter and send ii to John Josten OF
the First Church OF Christ, Scientist. who
has charge of the lecture bureau. explain
ing tbs fact that the trustees Of Plymouth
Church did not care to have the contract
carried out and nsking the Christian Scien-
lists not TO insist upon Plymouth Church
carrying out their part of it. This letter
was drawn up in the afternoon and sent TO
MIR. Josten.
This ends the contro versy so far as the
board OF Plymouth Church is concerned,
so the trustees said, as they cannot do
anything further without violating the
terms of the contract.
We have placed the matter upon the
records Of the church" said Gen. Horatio
C. King yesterday, that w do not approve
Of the contract nor of a Christian Science
lecture being delivered from the platform
OF Plymouth Church. We do not indorse
Christian Science in any form, as the resolu-
" tDIVaN AlDOll NliN III vi NhV pOoiN
Of deacons will show. We are heartily
sorry that this affair ever arose
viii the lecture take place." he was
asked.
Il cannot say" said Gen. King. III
they insist on the contract, maybe H. will
take place. But maybe they will see the
matter in the true light and ~abrogate the
contract"
- E.-- 49, .I.-l L-.. 49,
Statements made by Margaret Beecher
White, a granddaughter OF Henry Ward
Beecher and Alice Beecher Hooker Day,
a niece. who said they believed that Mr..
Beecher would permit a lecture or Christian
Science to be delivered from the pulpit Of
Plymouth Church were he alive to-day.
Margaret Beecher White was only 10
years old when Mr.. Beecher died. said Gen.
King. Mrs. Alice Beecher Hooker Day, his
niece. was regarded by him as a stranger
for many years before his death. 1t is to
be regretted that such an effort is being
made to foist Upon his memory doctrines in
which he could never nave felt even a re-
spectful interest"
John Josten, head of the lecture bureau
Of the First Church Of Christ, Scientist,
said that he had not received the letter
from the board of trustees and therefore
could not discuss it.
Plymouth Church will know our position
Tomorrow" he said. Until then | cannot
say anything Of interest"
The lecture bureau has been 10 large
expense advertising the lecture, and it is
understood that in case the lecture is called
of Plymouth Church will be asked TO reim-
burse the bureau
Mrs. Leonard, the head of the First Church
Of Christ, when asked about the matter
said that il all rested with Plymouth Church
as to whether the lecture was to be held or
not.