The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-10-09
Beeeher's Ovation at His Prayer
Meeting Friday Night.


Beecher'S Ovation at His Prayer
Meeting Friday Night.
From the New York sun, Of Saturday.
Never before did clergyman in this
or any other country after an absence
from his flock receive so joyful and so
hearty a reception as did Henry Ward
Beecher last evening. The congrega-
tion of Plymouth Church greeted their
pastor as happy, intelligent people
might welcome a great, heroic and no.
bic leader. There were reasons why the
church members-those who never lost
their faith in the great preacher-should
have been more enthusiastic than usual
Their were those in the congregation
who remembered that twentv-seven
years ago last evening Mr.. Beecher ae-
cepted the pastorate of Plymouth
Church, and it was not forgotten that
nineteen years ago he stood at the foot
of that same pulpit and solemnized the
marriage OF Theodore Tilton and Eliza
beth Richards, and that two years ago
he celebrated his silver wedding, on
which occasion he was taken by the
hand by Drs. Stors and Burlington, and
called by the former "the greatest preach
er that had ever stood in the American
pulpit.
Early in the evening the street il
front of the church was packed with men
and women waiting for the doors of the
ediice to be opened. The street cars
and ferries were crowded with those in
tent on attending the reception. At :
o'clock the church doors were opened,
and the eager throng poured in. In
less than ten minutes every seat was oc-
cupied. Well dressed men and women
begged to be admitted, and frequently
attempted to force an entrance, and the
ushers were compelled to use all their
strength to keep them back Men clam
bered on the window sills outside and
peered through the windows, and every
avenue to the building was blocked
THE PULPIT ORNAMENTS
On the platform was Nr. Beeeher's
roomy chair-the same that was made
of the wood from the Mount of Olives
At the right of the chair was small
table, on which were autumn leaves and
flowers. At the left of the chair was a
table whereOn three beautiful bouquets
rested. The stand near the edge of the
platform was filled with choice flowers,
vines and autumn leaves. Assistant
| Pastor Halliday busted himself for ten
minutes or more in trying to arrange
the platform to his own fancy.
The hands on the clock under the
gallery marked twenty minutes past z,
and the immense gathering was growing
impatient. Mrs. Beecher sat in her pew
! and looked happy. Near her was Har-
riet Beecher Stowe and Mrs. Perkins,
Mr.. Beecher's sisters. In pews near the
platform were DIR. Edward Beecher, the
Rey. Charles Beecher, Deacons Garbutt,
Belcher, Howard, Hutchinson, Robert
Raymond and others; H. w. Sage, Moses
Beach, James Freeland and others of the
trustees; Charles Dennis, Alex. Studwell,
Augutus Stors and Mr.. Cleveland
About twenty-five minutes past Mr..
Halliday, who was still busy about the
platform, suddenly faced the congrega-
tion and said that he wished to read a
letter received by Mrs. Beecher. There
was a murmur of approval, and the
faithful assistant pastor went on to say
that a lady in Mississippi asked for as
slstance. She had large family and
needed clothing for herself and children
Mr.. HALLIDAY's APPEAL.
'If could read this letter." said he,
''there is not heart in this house that
would not respond with sympathy. I
ask those who have cond-handed gar
ments to spare to send them to my house,
and Mrs. Beecher will see that they are
forwarded" Something like cheer went
up when Mr.. Halliday concluded his
little speech, and everybody felt liberal
There was silence for few moments.
Then the grand old organ rang out
the tune to the hymn glove divine, all
love excelling." Colonel King was the
organist. The small door at the back of
the platform, and directly under the
choir gallery, was Sided back, and, Col
onel Beecher (Mr. Beecher's SOM and a
friend entered through the small aper-
ture and appeared in full view of the
assemblage. They were cheered as they
stepped on the stage, and their faces col
ored. Then there was laugh, and they
sat down on the platform, Colonel
Beecher resting against his fathers chair.
The son of the great preacher laughed
outright when he raised his eyes and
looked upon the good -humored ladies
and gentlemen who were trying to re-
press their smiles.
\ moment afterward some one in the
gallery began clapping his hands, and
soon every one in the gallery joined in
Those below held their breath. They
instinctively knew that their pastor was
approaching. A low murmuring was
tation. Men and women strained their
eyes at the open door just back of Mr.
Beecher's chair. The clapping of hands
in the gallery grew louder, and every
body all over the house took it up Hen
ry Ward Beecher was coming through
the small door
AN OVATION.
In an instant after he appeared in full
view, and Plymouth Church was the
scene OF an ovation which was never
before witnessed within its walls.
Everybody involuntary arose, ladies
waved their handkerchiefs or clapped
their hands, and men held their hats
above their heads and seemed about to
shout, "Bravo." But it was no politi-
cal gathering. No great politician was