Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican, Volume 8, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1876 — Plymouth Church Advisory Council. [ARTICLE]

Plymouth Church Advisory Council.

At the morning session, on the 23d, a report was made from the special committee to which was referred the letter from Andover Seminary Church calling for a council to try the case of Mr. Beecher; in which the committee say Plymouth Church should not accept the invitation. Report adopted at the evening session. After discussion the Council decided that the Church investigation held in 1874 was adequate, and that Plymouth Church had done its whole duty in the matter. Announcement was made that the committee of nine to whom all matters for final consideration of the Council were to be brought comprised President Porter, Chairmani Dr. Fairchild, Dr. Snlter, Dr. Strong, Dr. Sturtevant, Dr. Bacon, Bradford R. Wood, Judge Withey and ex-Gov. Dingley. At the afternoon session, the resolution as to whether or not there should be another investigation of the charges against Mr. Beecher was discussed at great length, and finally decided affirmatively, about two dozen delegates voting no. At the evening session it was decided that a committee of three should be appointed to select five names from the list presented by the committee, who shall constitute an Investigating Committee;- la hear all possible evidence that can be gleaned in regard to the scandal, and sit as final judges on the matter. The Council concluded their labors on the 24th. An adverse report was made and adopted on the resolution offered by the Rev. Dr. Bell, to the effect that the Council declare Mr. Beecher innocent of the charges preferred against him. The report of the Council sustains Plymouth Church in its dealings with the members whose names have been stricken from its rolls, and in its general discipline in this respect. It also endorses the action of the ■'church in relation to the proposed Mutual Council, and expresses regret that Mrs. Moulton’s representative did not substitute two other churches for those objected to, and thus gratify the expressed desire of Mrs. Moulton for such council. The report says the Council finds no reason to call in question the method by whic-h the committee was constituted which investigated the charges against the pastor: but in view of the dissatisfaction which more or less pre. vails with the previous investigation, it is recommended, in view of Mr. Beecher’s demand to be brought face to face with his accusers, etc., and for the peace of tbe churches and the protection of Plymouth, that a new investigation be had. The provisions for such an investigation are as follow*: Prof. Timothy Dwight, D. D., New Haven, Conn., the Rev. J. W. Wellmar, D. D., Malden, Mass., and the Hon. Bradford R. Wood, Albany, N. Y., are appointed by tbe Council as the Committee of Three who are empowered "to designate a Commission of Five out of twenty named parties, whose duty it “shall be to receive and examine all charges against the pastor which they may regard as not already sufficiently tried. Any three of this committee shall be a quorum, and shall have power in case of failure to complete the requisite number of five by selecting other brethren of known ability and integrity. It is provided that the commission shall not be constituted unless formal charge* against the pastor shall be brought before the -church or its committee withinslxty days after the dissolution of the Council, by a party making himself responsible for the truth and proof of the same, unless within the same time it shall be adjudged to be expedient by the Examining Committee wf -tne’ church and- -the- -Committed of Three that important testimony not previously given, which might throw light upon the charges which have hitherto been tried, should be heard by the committee. The result of the investigation by this Commission shall be reported to the examining Committee of Plymouth Church, and be given by them to the public. The Commission of Five is to be selected from among the following: Theodore O. Woolsey, New Haven,Conn; Mark Konkins, Williamstown, Mass.; Julius II Seeley, Amherst, Mass.; N. Shipman, Hartford, Coun.\ L.B. Foster, Norwich, Conn.; J. W. Andrews, Marietta, Ohio; J. W. Angell, Ann Arbor, Mich,; W. B. Washbume, Greenfield, Mass.; A. C. Barstow, Providence, R. I.; J. L. iChamberlain, Brunswick, Me.; C. J. Walker, Detroit, Mich."; Jacob Brinkerhoff, Mansfield, Ohio; A. Hardy, Boston,. Mass.; A. Finch, Milwaukee; Wis.; S- TL Gookins, Terre Haute, Ind.; E. W. Blatcbford, Chicago;; William B. Edwards, New York; Jonathan E. Bargent, New Hampshire; J. ,C.. Knapp, Keosauqua, Iowa; Henry P. Haver., New London, Conn. Previou* to the dissolution of the Council Mr, Beecher addressed the assemblage at considerable length. ——r-L-