The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-10-15
BEECNER'S SUNDAY APPEARANCE.

eral comment and discussion was the
scene at Plymouth Church yesterday,
on occasion of Henry Ward Beecher' S
return to his pulpit.
At the regular performance every
seat in the Plymouth Theatre was fill
ed, and hundreds had to content them
selves with standing room in the aisles.
while several thousand persons strug-
gled in vain to obtain admittance, but
had to remain outside the theatre.
Stage manager Sherman was on the
alert to produce the best possible stage
general effects, and was ably seconded
by Hurlburt and other members of the
whitewashing committee. These latter
worthless had resolved themselves into a
committee on decoration, and instead
of the plain, whitewashed walls, which
generally meet the eyes
of visitors to Plymouth Church the
most elaborate floral decorations were
to be seen on all sides. Indeed glance
suf1ced to show that the services Of
skilled florists had been secured for the
special occasion.
The male and female nest-hiders
turned out in gorgeous array, and in
deed the church presented, from re-
ligious standpoint, very sad aspect.
The assemblage waited with unex-
pressed eagerness for the rising Of the
curtain and never was the advent of a
star actor on any stage looked for with
greater interest.
There was nothing in the aspect Of
that dense assembly. or in the appear
ance of that capacious editice to indicate
that the multitude had gathered to-
eether on the Lords day, to wor-
ship the Supreme Being. Beecher,
was thegod of a majority of that crowd,
for the majority of them were lambs
whom he fed and who heldhpartments in
his sheepfold of Plymouth Church.
Those outside the lambs of the flock
went there from curiosity.
The appearance of Beecher' s
visage on the scene was the signal for
a motion of applause. The
clappers were prompt and carried
out their instructions. They clapped
loudly and were followed oy many nest
hiders present, but suddenly as if the
spirit Of outraged purity and religion
had passed over that worse than Him
doc worshiping assemblage, the
demonstration ceased and on the collec-
tive countenance of the audience
that filed the theatre there wac
suddenly imprint ed an expression thss
spoke with electric force sudden spon.
taneous realization that the building
was supposed to be for Christian wor-
ship.
| Beecher looked in excellent health
and spirits. He could with difficulty
suppress the old smile of satisfaction as
he shifted the aroma Of the flowers
| which had been placed in elegant pro-
fusion on his desk.
After the first effusion Of enthusiasm
Mr.. Beecher bent forward in prayer.
He besought the Almighty to grant
consolation to every heart freighted
with sorrow, and without referring in
precise phraseology to nest-hiding in
particular MIR. Beecher condesccnding-
ly asked Providence to wink at nest.
hiding as far as consistently possible.
Mr.. Beecher intimated that if the Al
mighty did act on all he knew no fell
low could stand it.
The sermon preached was on the sub.
ject, ''Thy will be done;" and while Mr.
Beecher made no direct reference to the
scandal, his remarks formed very spe'
cious defense of sinners in general and
himself in particular. All men, said
Mr.. Beecher. are sinful by the
very reason Of their nature. There
is said to be no crime IL
the hawk that is hawk-like
nor in the dove that is dove
like. Men require Divine aid. The
prime condition of mans being is i'm
perfection. Only God can properly
Judge of the condition of each man
soul. Death will remove all mystery
and then we shall all be SO jolly on The
other side of Jordan.
Beecher and company have consulted
, UOyeIncT allu UctcTIiililcu tlldt tiiC iIicI
ests of the theatre require that ht
should, in his discourses, make no direct
reference to the scandal.
There was large family party al
| Beecher's house for dinner. Mr.. Beech.
er spent the evening at the resi- dece o
Mr.. T. Howard.
Beecher's procuring indictments al
this late day against Tilton and Moul'
ton for malicious libel is generally re
garded here as corrobating evidence
that he is altogether in the hands of bis
friends, even In opposition to mis- owl
judgment.
Beecher is said to have peremptorilJ
refused again and again to take the
course he has just adopted. He foune
finally so many of his friends united il
their opinion concerning the absolute
necessity of causing Tilton's and Moul
tons indictment that his determine
ton gave way. All his intimates and
associates assured him that if he die
not prosecute for libel the public would
believe him guilty.
Moulton, being interviewed, says n
could not have wished for anythin.
| bo+tor <boc 4ha indictment founf