Year: 1875




O. We will now pass over to December 1871. If
anything occurred during month with regard to retiring
Plymouth Church. you to state what that
A. In the first second week. as can remember
Of December 1871 Mr. Beecher came one evening to Mr.
Monltons study when present Il either as before


his Sunday night sermon before his Friday night prayer
meeting don't know which remember he said he had not
mnch time spend he had 60 his meeting he
asked Mr. Mouton had conferred with on the subject
OF my formally retiring from the Church tod hin that Mr.
Moulton had said something 70 the subject think
told Mr. Mouton had shown letter which he had
the subject but told him that had expressed
Mr. Moulon my for retiring from the Church
Mr. Moulton came in and had little talk the subject


together Mr. Mouon said that he had brought the matter to
my attenOn-this he said 70 Mr.. Beecher He told Mr..
Beecher Mouon had view Of the subject and


had another and said he 81 will leave Theodore explain
his own his way Mr. Moulton then left the
study and what I said Mr. Beecher substantially
this; it was q rather hurried interview. He said 10
me- however in the beginning that in view OF the events
Of the Summer and Fall, by publication OF the Noodhull
my presiding at the Stenwly Hall meeting and tie


little poem called Sir Marmadukes Musings there had
grown up the Church feeling the part Of the members
and leaders that intense spiritual st. that had
wholly abandoned the orthodox faith and that had not


tended the Church for year nearly two years and my name
was being banded up and down the community they felt that
Church should be nqui made into the matter


Mr. Beecher said You know, Theodore how dreadful and
distressing this 20 my feelings particularly as Understand
you into your dsrcpute; but what can do


How can explain my church members They are crowd


Ing ne on every hand They saying TO me that here


Young man who has your friend for many years he has
not church for year and half and he the an


thor strange publications. and he entering into al
manner Of yacare and inquire into it, Mr. Beecher
said 10 me: Now Theodore, understand perfectly well the
position you have taken and which you took long that
you again would TO the church, and that you
considered yourself a member Of it, but you must
remember that your name is still on the roll
and don't know how l shall get along With our
embarrassents VIII you not therefore, make my position
easy By writing the church formal letter asking your dis


m a and will that that given you without any
reflection" told him no. said Mr. Beecher reference
any criticisms made upon because have made sketch
Of Mrs WoOdhus lie presided at public meeting on her
behalf you perfectly well the that have led
to do it, and you have right 70 make these thorn


my side now" said furthermore That any OIense IN
the little verses called Sir MFuadukes Musings
you have only TO treat It a farmer treats nette.
clutch 1t In your right hand and crush It handle
boldly; put it into The Christian LJa0A
your prayer meeting; treat II had been written
by Mrs Stowe, by Of your friends treat a. was
matter dangerous you ALL You rid Of that very
easy" said the only remaining thing, my
from the Church. get rid OF that this way Say told you
year and half ago. did at Of my earliest interviews
that had then abandoned the church, it known
OF fact that crossed the threshold OF church
them power ana take my name from the roll
have roll printed with my omitted II il Il dan
gerous call the fact that my there gef
nd Of it." said II cannot with any self respect ask your
church 70 give letter Of dismissal after the lapse this
yeaz and half since have dismissed myself because now
II write such a letter. it will mpugn what
have been doing for the last year all


half and therefore said, you viii remember distinctly
told you would again the threshold Of your
church" told him that thought that Noud be very easily
got along he treated the subject boldly assumed
that my ought not 10 be the roll gave him Of
why could consistently FOR any letter Of
dismissal Of these this: You put your
quest the ground that my views different from
those Of my childhood but sad certainly they are; bu
allow to remind you that my views are not different
from the views Of many members Of your church in
my views than Deacon Ere land, or Mr. Clahin, OF
any other member in good standing In your church,
and would be fasehood that must retire from
church because Of any beray in my gous views for


said your church well known throughout Chrsteadom
being a-y um for all looseness and lloeaiy OF Christian
views and retire you church particularly ascrslas
have been made against for yergng toward beay Il
Christian sentiment people would say Well Theodore has
grown so aRd liberal In his views that he must on that
account Plymouth Church, where IAon will he 90 ,"
said NY views Liberal sneasA 70 cattle assssr