The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-10-13
AT PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

THE FIRST SERMON BY MR.. BEECHER AFTER
HIS vACATIoN-THE CROWD AND THE
SCENES.
A dispatch to the Chicago Tribune, on the
4th inst, gives the following account of the
first Sundays services at Plymouth Church
since Mr.. Beecher's return: A church deco
rated and perfumed with the flowers which
loaded every available place, crowded in
seats, aisles, and nails, with a patient
multitude, while people enough to
have filled ii twice over struggled for
admittance at the doors, awaited the deliv-
cry OF the first sermon by the Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher after his summer vacation.
Plymouth Church seemed to be special
center of attraction. Long before the hour
of opening the church the crowd was watt
ing at the doors. All the cars stopped at
Orange street to add to the numbers,
and from the ferry-boats there
WAS constant stream of
hurrying people. When the doors were
opened, at about $50, the seats were quickly
filled, the rights of pew-holders not being
generally respected. Fortunate were they
who gained admittance then, for the would
be audience on the outside rapidly aug
mented it's number. \ force of policemen at
the main entrance, on Orange street,
lsbored quietly, but persistently, to
keep some order in the crowd,
which would not believe that push
trance, and to keep them from the doors
when there was room for no more. Occa-
sionallY some lady or gentleman, church
member, would be allowed to enter, only to
reach the door in q much agitated condition
and find their seats occupied. At the side
entrance line was formed, and some one
guarded the door, admitting only those
who were recognized as members. A small
number were gathered around the door of
the lecture room, but no strategem would
secure admittaDce. There, some disappoint-
ed in not gaining admittance, climbed to the
but these were quickly dragged from their
perches. During the first part of the SER
vices probably about
$500 PEOPLE WAITED
patiently outside, the number gradually
growing less as the impossibility of seeing
or hearing the great preacher grew more ap-
parent. Inside the audience had settled
themselves in their seats, filling the mo-
ments of waiting with a loud buzz of
conversation, in which one could catch the
name of the pastor as the text. The floral
decoration was very tastefully done.
The platform was fringed with a bank
of light-colOred flowers and variegated
leaves. Tuberoses, lilies, gladioluses, ivy
and smilax, which, with the bouquets on the
table aud desk, perfumed the air around.
pended a simple festoOn of smilax, which,
extending along the galleries, was looped
with bouquets. The sides of the church
above were similarly adorned. Mr.. Beecher's
entrance was unmarked by any of the de-
monstrative enthusiasm as on Friday night.
He quietly took his seat and the services
began. The choir sung the TIE Deum, the
hymns, prayer and sermon followed. No al
lusions at all were made which could have
been construed as referring to the troubles
of the church or pastor. The sermon was
upon the "Government of God" which he
likened, as near as human understanding
could conceive, to that of wise. Just and
loving parent; upon what was Gods will in
relation to men, and referring to the human
| Judgment OF God, each other, and
| themselves, in comparison with what il
should be. When the services were
over, the audience morally seemed in no
| hurry to depart until Mr.. Beecher had lefs
himself while some of those outside availed
| themselves promptly of the opportunity to
enter and look up at him. a rumor was cir
culated at one time, just before the begin
ming ofthe services, and a slight disturb
ance at the door gave it credence, that Mr..
Moulton had tried to enter. The only
| foundation for IL was the effort Of the police
10 prevent q crush at the doors, which was
misinterprsted by some imaginative person.
The attendance Of strangers was marked in
the galleries,