Year: 1874

ter Of what they had dono In their dealings with the
Plymouth Church.


That In their remonsrance they acted In the inter
est OF the entire fraternity OF Congregational ohurcnes
and deserved thanks for their moral heroisn."


That their first letter made an impression IN some
measure different from what was sintended and wounded
the senslbItes OF those to whom IL was addresseu,
for which they had made In o subsequent lettef an
necessary explanation.


L. That an ingenious ex PLANTATION from the Plymouth
Church OF the which had moved 1t to rd itse
OF offending member by an exceptional method
might have brought the correspondence to an early and
happy termination.


g. That the complaining churches would have done
wisely II they had urged their request Tor mutuai
council till refusal evasion on the part OF the Pymouln
Church should have become ulequivocal


C. That without obtruding upon the Plymouth Church
any advice concerning its method OF dealing with
offenders the principles maintained by the complaining
churches in regard to responsibility OF church members
are sound.


2 That in view OF the latest utterance from the
Plymouth Church concerning its method OF discipline
and its gard for the nercommunion OF the Congrega-
tona churches the complaining churches are ADVISED 10
maintain with 1t the relations o. fellowship as hereto"
FORE IN the hope that the Plymouth Church may satisfy
them OF its acceptance OF those principles which 1t has
been supposed TO disavow.


And now, some OF you may think that what mas peen
said has been dictated by suspicion OF Mr. Beechers
purity. My theory of all these transactions and troubles
proceeds belief in the highest Christian integrity
OF Mr. Boecher. believe that the Infamous women
who have started this scandal have basis for it. Zap
plause II 1t their testimony alone, 1t would not
be worth kicking dog for But doubt not that he has
his infirmty, which is to let uuprnciped men know
too OF him. boct not to his being friend 10
publicans and sinners. Our Lord was But the harlot
who washed his feet with her tears, and wiped them
with her tresses. repentant harot 30 one must
hedge himself in little And yOu as you go out to
preach be on your guard, lest in your anxiety TO do
good to the low you become liable TO DC charged WIN
their sins


Another part Of my theory is that Mr. Beechers mag
ndnifnity Is unspeakable. never knew a man OF
larger and more generous mind One who was in rela
tions him the most intimate possible, SAID to me, Ii
1 wanted to his highest love- would go into
churcb-meetng and him OF crimes" This Is his
spirit. But think he may carry 1t too far. man
life treasure to the Church Universal to his
country his age has right to subject the faith In
TO such n strain. Some has said that Plymouth
Churchs dealing with offenders is like Dogberrys The
comparison apt: II any one will not stand, let
him go, and gather the guard and thank God that
you are rid Of such knave." SO Of Lance who went
into the stocks and the pOry to save his dog from exc
cution for stealing puddngs and geese. think he
would have done better TO let the dog die. And think
Mr. Beecher would have done better to have let ven
gesnce come on the heads Of his sanderers


But he stands his Master and not before men.


hope ever to feel fullest confidence in his charac-
ter and to see his influence enlarge and round out moro
and more No one could give such course Of lectures
as this last one OF his herewhich was the bos-and
show unoonscously such reach Of spiritual experience
and growth without being pure and noble lApplauseI
And in this feeling Council shared. DR.. - bmseh
said to me as we went out Of church after Dr. sorrss
address in which he paid his high tribute TO Mr.
Beechers character and work. That passage should be
saved to be Mr. Beecners funeral eulogy for 1t could
never be excelled."