The New York herald., 1872-12-23
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
Shelter and Sympathy rendered the Shelter
less Shepherd and His Flock.
Rev. Henry Ward Reecher, Drs. Cuyler,
Duryea and Others Offer, the
Use Of Their Churches.
Sketches of the Tabernacle and
scr the Pastor.
Financial Condition OF tho
Se Church Healthy.


Financial Condition OF tho
Se Church Healthy.
The wel-known site or one OF the most promi.
nent places Of public worship in the City OF
Churches-Talmage's Tasernacle-'.a tale OF ruin
tells,n and the black tracks OF the fire 1end
to-day mark Its destructive course. The cor
rugated iron temple which for the past two
years has echoed with the fervid eloqrence OF T..
De Witt Talmage, and which was required to en-
large its compass In order to enfod the ever in
creasing numbers OF the nock, has dissolved before
che flames, which arose at an unforeseen moment
and speedily enwrapped and devoured the struc-
ture. The story OF the Tabernaclc's fate thrilled
the pulse OF the people with much interest as it
was borne from tongue to tongue throughout the
length and breadth Of Brooklyn yesterday until
noon, when the news was broadcast and every one
had heard of it. Il the sensation OF the day. In
fact with all classes. To the congregation it was
one Of sincere regret and they, at least deeply feel
their loss.
THE WARNING BELL.
As the bright, clear Winter sunbeams poured in
through the frosted window pancs OF the homes
Of the church members about halEpast nine O'Clock
yesterday morning they lit up cheerful faces
and rejected careful hands in the mirror making
hurried preparation for church. The pastor OF the
Tabernacle had been absent from town on the last
Sabbath and his people were rejoicing in antici-
patton Of the gratincati0n which 1t would afford
chem to meet him In his accustomed place an hour
later. So much for human proposals; God had dis
posed otherwise. Suddenly, at the time named q
sharp, irregular clatter OF the Tabernacle bella
noise which was not timed with its accustomed
regard to well regulated bell rnging-brokc in
harshly upon the clear, cold, still atmosphere, and
grated unpleasantly upon the hearing Of those
whose thoughts were bent upon going to the
Tabernacle The thought occurred TO many that
there was something wrong with the sexton; 1t
was not the proper time for ringing the bell. To
those residing In the immediate vicinity OF the
ediace doubt was not long permitted to dweu un-
solved.
Tue CRY OF "FIRBr'
was heard along Schermerhorn, Powers and Neyins
streets. The Tabernacle was located on the former
street. between the latter named thoroughfares
The bell, which Weighed 2,6oo pounds, and was sit
lated in the cupola or the building, kept up con.
stant CRY for assistance. The sexton had dlscQY.
cred smoke issuing nom beneath the door. In the
southeast corner Of the building. He Immediately
made up his mind that nue was detective,
end hastily ran on and rang the bell in the
excited manner described. The nrst to arrive on
che scene Of action one OF the leading trustees
Major Corwin, who resides In State street. short
distance from the church. He called for water The
sexton, after some dificuty, succeeded in getting
two pals full, which were emptied, upon,
the burning section or the flooring. In the
meantime the alarm had been conveyed to the
Tenth precinct station house, on Bergen street.
near Pearean, and the alarm signal for station
81 was given to Headquarters by telegraph. At
twenty minutes to ten the City Hall bell rung out
the numericals given, and away dashed the fire
apparatus, engine No. s, stationed IN Perrepont
street, being the nearest to
THE BURNING CHURCH.
In the meantime neither the devouring element
nor the people living In the neighborhood had been
idle. Men and boys rushed wildly into the build
ing, and seizing bibles, hymn books, music, cush-
ions, camp stools and other portable articles,
rushed out the side doors with the rescued prop
temple upon the streets. Others there were who
procured a hose from an adjacent livery stable,
and attaching It to M hyd.ant got good stream Of
brought into operation. Many hands made light
work" but the task was too great. The fre was
not to be beaten out OF its new-found and threat
ening existence.
half gale, was blowing at the time from the
northwest and the who're front OF the structure
was in flames before the first engine arrived on
surance m Company rendered excellent service be.
fore the arrival OF the nremen, getting hose at
% n sss es
department oflcials arrived on the ground Chief
Engineer Thomas Nevins, with ms usual prompt.
hall bell gave It's first stroke. and the excellent dis
position which he made Of the force at his COM
PREVENTED THE FIRE FROM EXTENDING
TO adjoining houses, the inmates Of which under
ETY. and suspense. Meantime the crowd increased
70 several thousand spectators. The police, OF
under command Of Inspector John 8. Folk arriving,
aspace was cleared TO facilitate the fireman In
who was the hrss TO RESPOND n to the sextons sx.
cited summons, finding himself outside the police
pushed back by policeman, but renewed his enor,s
TO get near the burning building In doing so he
was c'u00e' Sesese,s; xsosc THE CROWD
were hundreds OF ladies' and gentlemen who had
com some from distance to attend service at the
was had upon arriving In front OF the rapidly con-
suming building. Eyes nled with tears, and the
cheerful faces OF those who had started out with
pious JOY were overcast and sorrowful at the SAD
spectacle presented TO view.
THE COLD WAS INTENSE,
doe covered the sidewalks and streets, and the
water @ iroSe as rapidly as II fell Pireme1 police
~ lay In their power, in rendering assistance. The
people residing in the neighborhood gave cut
great Kettles OF coffee and other refreshments 90
lhe wOrkmen about the Naming church, and In
pursuance Of this act OF Kindness added much to-
facilitating their labors in battling with the ele.
ments. One thing clearly and early demonstrated
was that corrugated iron is useless as
:. MEANS OF PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE.
within hall an hour after tke discovery Of the
smoEe beneath the flooring enveloped the entire
INFERIOR oi the structure. The Ton which was
uneu WIN wood, grew red hot, fed by the great
pne OF pews benches and the boarded noorin9, the
Ibid piaing Of corrugated metal which gave the
yIuctuie sucn an ornate appearance, became
teated TO white heat, The Gre demon lashed his
nies with Jury within and held internal revel
nntjI u seetned and roared like huge flery cal.
iron. the noise OF the wind rushing through the
passages being heard two blocks distant AZ the
filiB Iron plating melted II warped and cured in
sheets until 0 stronger gust OF wind paeaIn0 tore
tt on, barring to view the
FIERY GANBoLs IN PROGRESS
~ hau.psst ten p'cIocS the ROOF isu IN vitn