New-York tribune., 1874-08-15
A CHURCH OVERLOOKED.
THE PLYMOUTH PRAYER-MEETlNG.

| The regular Friday evening meeting of
plymouth Church was remarkable for enthusiasm
tah numbers although the ecure-room was comfortably
hled The people evidently came together to make glad
ever what they considered their pastors strong de-
tense, as well for the usual ends OF their weekly
| prayer meeting. Before the meeting there was un-
common cOrdiaty in greeting Men shook
| hands with vgor In the grasp, and looking
! each into the others face, mingled commenda-
| lions Of their pastors defense with the well
come OF friends or ladies' young and old, there was
large majority present, and they too eager to ex
press their satisfaction what they already looked
upon as the triumphant vindcaton OF their minister,
and in scme sense, OF bis church. The prayers and
remarks overfowing with the one theme near to
all hearts, and most OF those who took part in the
exercises Of the meeting paid little attention to any
thng else. few only touched upon the snbjectin
light and indirect way, but these did not please
| the assembly, as was shown by the hearty applause
once or twice almost boiserous, which followed the
strongest utterances Of Mr. Beechers champions. The
presence and OF member OF the Investigating
Committee, Mr.. Cleveland, the utterances of Mr.
Beeehers counsel and OF others nearly connected with
the work OF inquiry, which has been going on
for weeks, added to the general satisfaction, which
was shown by the response to the words
Of those who referred to the day of joy and
thanks giving. The universal sentiment OF satisfaction
with Mr. Beechers words OF explanation plain from
the expressions used nearly all the speeches and
prayers and in the marks of approval which went with
them, as also the conversations which were had be-
fore aud after the meeting, ana III the numbers and ey
dent affection OF those who went to Mr. Beeehers after
the adjournment.
There were flowers upon the platform, heap of
pretty roses, sent by Mr. aud Mrs. Beecher, with some
stately Japan lilies behind. Their ornament was CRATE
fu in the big plain with its sharp aud un
lovely walls. The source from which the roses came
made them precious 10 the members OF Plymouth
Church, TO whom they sent, and who voted that
they be distributed to the sick who forced to be
away FROM the meeting.
THE EVENINGS SERVICES.
The proceedings begun by the Rev. g. H. HALT
day, assistant pastor, who announced Hymn No. 73)
beginning with the words, " From every stormy wind
that blows" which having been sung by the congrega-
ton, the Rev. DR.. Edward Beecher was called upon to
open the meeting with prayer. DR.. Beeeher first re-
marked that the meeting should seek to have the inu
ence OF the Holy Spirit. IL was well sometimes to
think of public sentiments but it was far better to think
Of the presence the OF Omnpresent God The pastor Of
that church had pOkeu and what he had said had been
read by millions. lie had not only spoken to them, but
also TO the whole Christian world: and he had
spoken In the presence Of the Omniscient God who
knew all hearts. While the Christian world was infu
enced by the Divine Spirit Christians would learn TO see
and know and feel the truth as taught In Christ Jesus
That all might live up to the holiness OF His presence
-
and for this he wished them to pray deyOutly. Dr.
Beecher then offered prayer for the Divine spirit to
remain with that meeting. sThOse who had there
assembled felt assured that their pastor, who had
spoken with such clearness and sinphc
ty. had also spoken with the fear Of
God judge Of ALL and in His presence without con-
sideraiion OF the opinions OF either nations. He
prayed that God would reveal the truth that they,
Who had heretofore grathed their appetite for scandal
shoud not only feel rebuked before but before God
He blessings
after his great suffering he should be raised up to
greater field of usefulness that blessings should rest
Church after the great trial. and that the char
acter OF those who had been assailed should be yind
Gated that they should De SIN more zealons Ia tne
duties which they were called upon TO perform, ANA
that the pastor should be brought among them again
armed with new energy wisdom anh zea iCf Tue rl'a
ton OF souls and with greater power for doing good
The congregation then sang HYMN No. no " Must
Jecus Bear the Cross Alone" The Rev. Mr.. Halliday
said that he free To confess that Ills feelings were IN
sympathy with those uttered by Dr. Beecher ana II the
br thren were 50 disposed ne thougnt II Houu DC wen
employ all the time IN prayer lie had lelt convinced
that the spirit OF God was with them, ana was only
waiting for them 10 ask the blessings 80 huch urslioh
lie then called upon Mr.. Day 10 follow IN prayer VINO
PRAYED for the spirit Of God to rest on the Chrch ana
PASTOR that the latter sn0uld be Imbued with more
strength, and be able to 70 IN ana out AGAIN among ms
cOngre cation declaring tae run IN words so eloquent
that those who heard him should not only listen but be-
| lieye. ,, ,., .it h,i,
ming with the WOrds, The Lori IL lhy Shcphct sh'il
not want" after when he called on H. NJ. CeNellhu,
Mr. Cleveland IN his prayer, desired that the Holy
Spirit should Le with them and that those asstnOieu
niGeace shogld brns back into the path of reetitude
those who had wandered away, MI taer 80 souls wita
| peace and make them strong in the faith He prayed
Tor blessings to rest on tue pastor VINO with sqen
patience love- and charity had borne tue % aiiTtPn n
| upheld with the sustaining grace OF the Hoy eslIt
and his soul filed with peace; that although ane "ou @
might frown. his enemies a-sail mn, anu men tuIA
away from him. he should feel ana know 'na' lie was
The congregation then sang hymn 1872 " Oh, tell me-
thou life and delight OF my soul c RtC "Sn beu " WIN m
| q
past while al the time all looked DISASTROUS hey
now had rejoice aud thank COD Tor the ekp-
rience the church had to be thankful FOR he diScl
pine through which 1t had passed. uhder "hicn, tley
They could see now with their eyes what before they
had seen by faith. He returned thanks FOR the pastor,
VINO had successfully passed through so terrible "a a
| by sunshine, and for the church which had
become more strongly knit together III consequence OF
the darkness OF the He imporei that blessings
should rest on him whom they all loved 50 nIea, ana m
| the future that the Holy Name should be the more
mad been tho enemies Of both church and PASTOR those
! who had taken much pleasure IN beylng ana sian
might repent The members OF that congregation did
not want TO revengeful, and wished them no H. Out
| aud bring them to Him under the Divine mercy
Finally he prayed that they might all be taught ny tne
with love had been fcady sacrifice both name and
fame IL by doing he might be able 90 save Others
he had come over from NewYoIk, arose ind stated that
he had felt all along that TIE plslor Oh ina. ee9 Ma m
shearinan pray tha the wronSdOer should De paidoued
That which had that day appeared In the puDic press
bore upon it, the STAMP OF truthulness aud lie
| boued tbat the pastor whom they mad cherished
wsnld live long and continue to bless not only Plymouth
Church, but the whole United States.
"A LETTER FROM MRS. BEECHER
The Rev Mr. Halliday then read few letters from
the members Of the congregation In conclusion
lie read the wing letter from Mrs Beecher prefac
ing # with remark that it sent privately to hlm
but he felt that it should be given to the church
SATURDAY, Midnight.
DEAR Mr.. HALLIDAY: had lad aside tle cares and
Labor. of the day hoping sleep; but my eyes
beous and refuse to close Under all the clouds that