The New York herald., 1872-10-08
PLYMOUTH CHURCH SILVER WEDDING.

The First Days CelebratiOn-Tho Morn
Ing Prayer Meeting-Procession OF the
schools-An Exciting Scene I'm Colum-
bia Street-Floral Onerings to Mr..
Beecher-s<rvices at the Church.
The opening service OF Plymouth church silver
wedding took place In the lecture room yesterday
morning, at eight O'Clock. 1t was simply prayer
meeting OF one hours duration, with no excep
tonal characteristics OF festivity that would show
that 1t was other tnan what it was. an assembly OF
earnest men and women to thank God with heart and
voice for the manifestation OF His abundant mercy
towards them. Mr.. Beechcr occupied his usual
place on the platform, and announced the num-
Der OF the hymn Mr.. Zundell, at the piano, played
over the indicated tune, and the audience,
without rising from their Seats sang the
hymn through. Mr.. Beecher called upon some one
to lead in prayer. In this prayer there was q
touching reference to the pastor Of the church.
Before announcing the number OF the next hymn
Mr.. Beecher made few significant remarks that
directed the current of thought and sentiment
during the remaining portion OF the hour. He
said that the clew to the controlling influence OF
their mornings meditation at these meetings was
n tns the ssv and t
would be we'll that In the prayers and exhOrtations
which followed the children should be the burden
thereof There was another indication that he would
give that would be applicable to all the services.
1t was natural that on an occasion Ike the
present the pastor ana the Cnurcn Sn0uld De
prominent In the memory OF all who took part in
these services. Admitting the naturalness OF this,
he was at the same time quite certain that nothing
tendency to selEgorincation, and SO he would like
10 understood that IL would be in consonance with
his judgment, and certainly In harmony with his
feelings, If all reference to himself in connection
with the church were omitted. It's prosperity and
its commanding position today were traceable to
Jesus only. The hymn commencing,
charge TO keep have
was then sung with earnestness, and the prayers
and addresses that followed were all pitched In the
same vein.
THE PROCESSION or THE SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
About five O'Clock In the afternoon the neigh
borhood Of Mr Beecher's house, on Columbia
ious and well dressed crowd OF ladies, gentlemen
and children, waiting to witness the march pastn
of the schools Every window that commanded
OF the houses the ''Star Spangled Banner' and
other indications OF prosperity were hung upon
ne v ofp ococ was M se aIer 5ne anne apPOne p
Beecher, Mrs. Schofeld, his daughter. and several
members OF his family, came upon the stoop, and
fife were heard In the distance, and to the
music OF the Navy Yard Band, which took a posi-
Mr. wss VeT Gens
ously acknowledged Mr.. Beecher was made the
recipient OF numerous bouquets; no prlma donna
on the night OF her greatest triumph was more
overwhelmed with floral offerings. At one time
the bouquets came so thick and fast and were thrown
with such steadness OF aim at the preachers
plause and cheering were taken up by the crowd
and continued for several moments, drowning the
music and giving to tie scene quite the character
of an ovation. There we're nearly three thousand
children in the procession besides Oificers, teachers
and adult scholars. The schools marched In the
following order The Navy Mission school, the
Bethel Mission school and the Plymouth church
school, under the charge OF their respective super
intendents. Mr.. Bell, Mr.. Tilney and Captain Dun
can One OF the interesting features in the process
sion was the married mems and the married
women's classes OF the Bethel school-men and
women, who by the instrumentality OF the Mission
have been brought under Christian influences and
raised from the degradation and wretchedness OF
poverty and vice to comparative competence and
we-doing There were more than two hundred Of
these reclaimed individuals, who marched past Mr..
Beecher with glee in their eyes and thankiulness
on their countenances.
The schools marched to Plymouth church, and the
vast edihce was filed In every part there being
but little room for visitors
The superintendents OF the schools, with Mr..
Beecher and DR.. Scudder, occupied seats on the
platform. Between the singing OF appropriate
hymns the two latter gentlemen addressed q few
words to the assembled thousands. About eight
O'Clock the children returned TO their respective
school rooms and were entertained with an accept
able dinner.
To-day there win he reunion OF the oficers and
teachers OF the schools at Plymouth church.