Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-10-23
HOW FseeeEaer ssHpraayys.s,


Beeel'er is erowdng Plymouth Church,
the audience last week being as large as
the week before. The n. Y. 'Sun' gives
the following description of the last Sum
day:
The church was not decorated as for holt
day, as on last Sunday, but beautiful flow
ers aud feathery ferns adorned the elegant
Venetian glass vases that were Laced on
the olive wood stand at the outer edge OF
the rostrum AT ten the ushers were busy
seating the peW-holders. AT five minutes
past ten Mrs. Beecher and the members OF
her family. her sons and daughters and
her sons and daughters in law, entered the
pastors long pew. In front of that pew
was seated Baron Schwartz, the newly APP
pointed Austrian minister to the United
States, jackson ShultZ and the Hon. w.
Hubbell, NJ. c., from San Francisco, the
Hon. William II. Foster, of England, of
Gladstone's late cabinet; Sir Powell BuX-
ton Bart, of England, and many other
persons of distinction were scattered in
the congregation. There were more per-
sons seated in the house than on last Sun
day, the arrangement for their accommoda-
ton being better. There was almost as
great number outside who could not
gain admttance, but they were more quiet
and evidently less curious than those of
the Sunday BEFORE They disappeared after
| they found it impossible to gain an en-
| trance, but the vestibule, portal and side
walk in front of the church were filled du-
ring the greater part of the service.
M. Whitney, q courtly gentleman, fault
| lessly attired and groomed, did the duties
OF usher and master of ceremonies imme-
| diatelv around the roStrum He was occa-
I sionally assisted by nv Howard, both
gentlemen looking as fresh as their layega-
dar kids or the solitaire rosebuds that
glowed on the left side of their coat lap
| els.
Shortly before the services Mr.. Whitney
| entered from the lecture-rO3m door and
| asked those Immediately around the ros-
trum to make room for an old lady OF nine
| ty-four, who had not seen nor heard Mr..
Beecher. Room and a chair was found fol
| her, and She WAS brought in.
''There, " said MI. Whitney, s'youare all
! right now"
In piping, quavering voice of second
| childhood she exclaimed, as she took hel
seat "Thank God. yes. If all is right
all is well.'' By 1920 the church was fill
ed to overfowing The noise of CONVEX
sation and the incessant clapping of the
extra folding seats that are attached to the
pews in Plymouth Church as they were IN
1OltttQ W oS6tU UiiOoC GIietU NGle HI
the aisles, continued until at last Mr.. Bee
cher entered. He assembled to the rostrun
by the steps on the left, calmly took his
seat, unfolded his notes, three small slips
of manuscript paper, opened the Bible and
selected his chapter and text, placed the
Bible and notes on the olive-wood stand
then took the hymn book and busted him
self with it while the choir of eighty sin.
gers sang a magnificent ''Alleluia." MI
Camp leading and Horatio King at the or
gan. After the hymns had been selected
Mr.. Beecher laid aside the hymn book, and
closing his eyes, seemed absorbed in con
temptation and enjoyment Of the waves OF
melody which tioated from the organ loft
over his head. Every eye in that vast
throng was fixed intently on the pastors
face, which neither paled nor flushed be
fore their gaza. He looked as though his
body might be there while his thoughts
scared into another world When the last
notes died away he arose and said, LEI
us invoke the Divine blessing" Every
head was bowed inprayer.