The New York herald., 1870-01-05
PLYMOUTH AUCTION BLOCK.
Salo Of Seats at tho plymouth
Church Opera.
Large Attendance and Lively Biddins-Princs
Fri, Invests In a New Enterprise.

Thcrc are many funny things said and done during
the round OF twelve months In Henry Ward
bcechers church ~ Brooklyn, but the funniest of
them all 10 those mot accustomed TO our ways." a.
Mr. Beecher puts II, must be selling the privilege of
hearing the Gospel read and expounded upon
every Sunday at 80 many dollars per head
OF the congregation. One need NOT "
very straight.aced, Puritanicai, pharisaica,
orthodox. Methodstical. very biblical or he snuted
10 any other OF the toned down ncxnames so freely
banded about among another by church-goi
people, TO have ones sense Of religious propucty
shocked TO see place for the worship OF the Creator
OF the heavens ana earth turned into Wall street
gold room.
Last night was the annual auction OF tho pews
Mr.. Pillsbury the heredtaryn auctioneer. occupied
tho stand from which the pastor breaches
and prays, and Mr.. Pillsbury was intent upon
doliars. That beautiful little relic made OF wood
from the Mount OF Olives was thumped BY N
auctioneers 1st ana over II all the units In crea-
ton mad changes run upon them. Mr.. Plsbury was
shouting out "Flve. five. five, I'VE. ton ten, ton.
ten," AZ though his life depended upon how
many he could utter In q moment A look,
, nod, wink was enough for tho euc-
uoneer to excite him 70 another volley OF
"tens" and "nyes," 4" and for four mortal hours last
night, In Plymouth church. there seemed TO be
thing to be cared for Ia this world the next
Than getng ~ many dollars together as the people
IN their pressure of prido and emulation could DO
stimulated 70 give.
4 MONEY AAar.
Mr. Beecuer delivered no address at tho calling
OF the large audience TO ORDER and there Was 0ue
significant feature throughout that neither ut the
commencement nor at the end OF what was called
by the pastor service" was there the slightest
indication, either by praise or prayer, that thia
rff
1t was entirely given up TO she money changeu.
Right away, with q face full OF pleasantly ana
good humor, that seem cd TO inspire BIDS. did Mr..
Piisouy 90 ut his work. which was arduous
enough. The audience was large aud good temp
cred, Including many Of thelnotaole and prominent
people OF Plymouth church. The woman's rights
section was represented by the female reporter from
the Yttt,ene office who, IN an elegant Scotch paid
walking costume occupied for O short time dLs-
tingushed place on the platform.
THE FUN OF THE THING.
There was q little playfulncss now and then whoh
provoked laughter For exampie-the surname Of
one OF the purchasers was obtained with O little
diculty; then he answered. in the pause Of enter
ing II on the records that mis- Christian name was
Abraham" Upon which the auctioneor remarked
tnat III all who were TO occupy the pew got into
bis bosom they would be SAFE"
Abraham replied, "Yes. str; III carry them eli
taefe, upon which the audience burst into laugh
ter being carried by the angels into AbrAhanl's
bosom. has 50 much that Is pathetic and sad
In IL that 1t does seem odd, TO put very nns
aR0s II that .. sss n Ss
laugh about 1t. the smallest jokes were.
however. very acceptable. One gentleman bOro the
classic name Of Hubbard, and our readers can
understand how rich was the material for Jokes with
! SO good a name as that Another was Botte and
Watells and Morttles were all played upon untn
the auctivnecr got the right one.
TIRE GREATEST JOKE or ALL
| was however. when II was announced that James
| Fisk, Jr., was the purchaser Of pew. There was
evidently considerable JOY in Plymouth church that
they would be sure OF one sinner In the congre9a
needed repentance. There also pews In tue
gallery numbered by letters. Letter Il wu1 SOd To
Mr.. Darhye for $l43, and the auctioneer. when
another claimant started up said II was '.betler to
let her ben Small jokes OF this KIND pass current ia
large audience, and they are all the more accept
| able when the people are very ''Roody" Kind Of
people and accustomed to psalm singing
l RESULTS.
| Among the more distinguished bidders were tho
| following:--Mr. H. w. sage PAID the highest pre-
| mium $3.50; H. O. Bowen, next. gave $3.50; II. "
Claain 1855; o. Carpenter, 1885, ]. T. Howard. $306
James Frceland, $3.50; u. Oyington S275: L. Palmer;
| $40; y. Il Smith, $780, +. Crowell, $40; James
Bates, $780, DR.. Conkng, 1888; S. d. Duryca, $3.50
James T.. Howard, $3.50; J. q. WENDELL $245, and =
large number or other prominent members Of Mt.
! Beecner's church paid similarly hlgh premiums.
Every pew was taken Al nigh premium, and the
| premiums ranged from &5O5 TO 81 Every aisle
char, except three, was taken. Tue total or lass
evening was as follows
Amount OF premiums. .S4f, v4
Rents OF peWs. l2,ol5
Rents OF chairs Observation-Disclosures. 82l
THIS compares with 1859 as follows
Amount OF premiums. Sal 800
Hents oI peW5.. ....................... tz0i4
Rents OF chairs. 100
winch Is difference IN favor Of 1870 Of ssoss 80