Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-08-25
PfymOufh's Playful Pa,tor

The press (outside OF New York; is quite gene.
rally coming to the conclusion that Plymouth
Church, headed by its playful pastor, is not a
healthy religious institution. The Boston Post
paper that has taken decidedly conservative
course in the Beecher business, concludes a long
article by saying:
1.-The prayer-meetings, too, are far from be.
Ing sn Insignificant feature IN this ecclesi sstcsI
comedy. Applause prevents tue interest from
nsggng, exclamation ana suPphcatiOn become
oddly CCniused, y verdict is Struggled into a
prayer, and sccuserS are denOunceS. as cOnspir-
atOrs Of the viper family which the brethren At
last have got beneath their feet. The prophet
CT the nineteenth century," who for the yaca-
ton term only has consented to take the part of
s"playful behemoth," laughs TO scorn all i'm
Putations aimed at himself, though as the New
best friends doubt" until Moulton's statement
is decis1vely sol red, whether he is not occnnv-
Ing false POSITION in the pulpit aud in s5ci-
ety." Pablo judgment, however, shows symp-
tens OF steadily settling down, where the fou5-
cations are secure. The whirlx ia voiny
now, bnt the still, small voice is be-
hiLO Gll this roar Society aud public morals
co net Vet exactly know how much they
are indebted TO this still, small voice 4
good maHy people, still unaffected with the
icolairy Of men and money, that ia so con-
spicrOus in the texture OF PIymouth Cb1-ch
fellowship, are silently putting themselves the
question, what IL all ministers were to PICK
then associates after this free FASH 3n, upbosom
themselves TO "blackmsileIs7 in closet conf
deDce, hang thus gratefully on the necks of
outside .' hsathen,' live in the power of such
great 'darkness,' resort 70 devices tn save
Themselves call In others TO cite up tkreatsa-
ing storms" and plot and couuterplOt With
unbelieverS TO deaden the infiusncs OF ssdes-
cons meetings' and destroy the "near and
next danger, the voman"-hGw long could the
Church maintain its place and exert ITS right
ful force In society, pleading for their playful
pastors In the regular prayer meetings that
they sit 'thrOned above their carnsl natures"
and that their great, jocund strength" must
be allowed, Ike the behemOth, plenty of
room for play and recreation? Such honest
souls, Heaven bless them still! are
much too serious for this world they ara in.
They have not enough of " great jocund
strength" in them. They are too matter Of
fact to comprehend the game" OF employing
Aoultons TO help drop Tilt0ns from the church
rolls, and the fTolcsOmeneSs Of Introducing a
" dear Won hOltke" as side counsellor in fend-
ing on the assaulttng criticisms OF an ecclesias-
teal council They are too unsophisticated to
understand how such clerical sports. extending
over term OF four years, should have the effect
TO deepen and strengthen a pastors growth in
SPIRITUAL life, so that q plain, busiaess-like
consistent, and terrific statement ike that of
the friend who WAS cOnhied in until the yery
last msnth, without reproach of "blackmaiI1
10 be heard or seen anywhere, glances off like
rain from tight roof and only sug yests another
character for hotel parlor charads. This is
Iedeed the mystery OF mysteries. III Tilton and
MOulton are inscrutable and hard to find ont
Plymouth church and its pastor defy the most
penetrating Wit that ever worked on any prob
lem, human or QiyineO