The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-27
THE BEECHER TROUBLE.
The Plymouth Pastor at His
PeekskilI Farm.
MIR. BEECHER'S SILENCE.
The Friday Night Talk and the Inter.
view That Followed.

PEEKsKILL June 20, 1874.
Thougn the Inhabitants of Peekskili are very
proud OF having the most popular preacher in the
world as one OF their Inhabitants the talk yester-
day az the corners OF the streets and the stoops
the stores was not s.Beecher,n but sboat.n The
great scullng contest OF the previous day and the
victory OF one OF the Peekskill boys absorbed all
meaner things and tie result was that men had boat
on the brain so strongly that the popular and only
question thht could be heard was, show much did
you win on the boat ?" There is very little
doubt that Peekskill has gained greatly In money
by this race and something in reputation. The
plymouth pastor is, however, Peekskill's '.stand-
by" when 1t desires to stand well as a summer re-
sort ana as the ne plus ultra of country ife There
is no need to speak twice TO a hackman at the de.
pot when you say "Drve me to Mr. Beecher's y
They speak OF Mr.. Beecher with as much respect
as II he were the Oldest inhabtant, and not an &C.
casonal summer resident at his farm Indeed, SO
popular Is the name OF Beecher that with an
amusing inappropria teness, an enterprising citi-
zen mas named lager beer saloon, nearly oppo-
site MI Beecner's farm, as The Beecher House,
On Thursday evening Mr.. Bcecher was greeted
by large audience at the Dutch reform church.
about malt mile below his farm. From the en-
thusaSm with which he was received and the at
tention with which his address on Sunday schools
was listened to- 1t did not indicate that his hearers
took M much stock IN scandal tnat mad assumed
new feature that day, and the particulars of which
occupied prominent position in all the New York
newspapers The ladies' listened with rapt atten-
ton to all he SAID, and the hard-headed men VINO
formed the minority OF the congregation were
manilestly proud of the star speaker OF their meet
ing. Mr. Beecner spoke with glow or pride and
enthusiasm of the 1Bethei mission In connection
with MS own church and commended the
taste that had been displayed in its erection and
decoration to the i'm .tatl0n of those whom he
was addressing, in any endeavOr they may make
In the imitation of school OF similar charac ter
Alter tne benedictOn had been pronounced by
MIR. Beecher he was warmly shaken by the hand by
tne prlhclpal members OF the congregation. A
slight reference was made privately by one trend
to the new version OF the scandal, and Mr.. Beecher
was congratulated on the serenity with which he
bore himself under the inlicton. Mr.. Beecher's
move me. Why should theysn he asked TO
all inquiries t s,o as to what he would do IN
him to do anything 1t was tor his church to take
action, and to That action he should defer. There
story that had not been known to the principal
members Of the church long ago. and as to the
about which So much had been said that was e
pable OF an explanation, and which was already
known to some OF his friends. No practical good
could come OF any further illumination OF story
that had already been buried in way that had
been satisfactory to everybody who had any in
terest in It," With these remarks which were OF
the same incidental character as given above Mr.
Beecher babe his friends good by;n his wagon
and team were waiting for him outside Of Inc
church. Into this. after putting Mrs. Beecher and
lady friend, he drove to his farm, where he Will
stay until midday to-day, and then go TO New
The Friday Evening Talk.
In spite OF the rain last evening the Plymouth
church lecture room was crowded. in anticipation
OF hearing something unusual in which they were
disappointed. Mr.. Beecher opened the services
himself by prayer, and after hymn Brother Robert
Raymond prayed that the pastor might not only
preach with his lips but with his Ii in his hour of
trial. and that the congregation, following him
I.a T,lt@ %yo
the hills OF Paradise and smile ut what troubled
them In this life.
After another hymn MIR. Beecher said, | re-
member when 1 was lad that the iGea OF
religion was that the people had no Tears,
that they had well-spring OF JOY within them
and were always happy. That used to be
largely the representation, and is still in some
degree. 1t Is one Of the appeals made by
jealous Christians-"COme into the Church, come
to Christ" l have heard men say, II have
enjoyed more in one day in the Church
than IN years outside it," and this, though
answering q good purpose, has gone beyond
that real faith in God and hope In Jesus
Christ has tendency to equaze and tranquilize
causes of discomfort, and that they clothe one
with sense OF protection; but it seems to me,
looking at the thousand details OF life, now there
is feeling that JOY In the Lord is Joy come down
from heaven, unlike any other Joy, sort sacred
fire Unused In US; DON'T undertake to say this is
not true. sometimes; believe in divine entnusi-
asm to-day among Gods people in special emer-
gencies. What We want Is divine blessing that
shall go with US in the minor details of fe One may
get up on Sunday morning in New England vii
lage and go forth down the village to church.
Everybody goes in, and singing goes up from
every one, and the services are inspiring. 1 can
imagine such person feeling transcendent Joy.
But next day Is washing day, and though they
believe God Is In the sanctuary there are not many
who believe He is in the washing room. Children
are cross, the servant unreliable dinner not
cooked, husband impatient. 1t Is not much
trouble to rejoice in the Lord on Sunday when
there tg nothing to trouble us, but on
week days, when everything goes crlss-
cross, 1t is another matter. We have not much
to do with angels and archanges. Is there any
thing religion that viii enable a man to rejoice
In nday joy-not Sunday joy or prayer meeting
jOyY think there Is. believe 1t Is in the power
OF Gods people to set their hearts as men set
watches. think men may
SET THEIR HEARTS
every morning by the heart OF God. I think the
early hours OF the morning are ones in which we
may see God. have strong impression that the
no II ~