The New York herald., 1874-09-12
PLYMOUTH PRAYER MEETING.

Last Nights Raptures Over Mr.. Eeecher
ms an ExemPlificatiOn Of God.
Last nights prayer meeting at Plymouth Church
might with justice be called an ovation TO Mr..
Beecher. Every prayer contained his name, and
seemed to be offered up for his welfare; every
utterance was instinct with his praise. Rev. Mr..
Halliday presided, as usual. Brother Price, who
offered the first prayer. alluded but indis-
ttnctly to the pastor, but Brother Garbutt prayed
Gsd fervently to be with him in this hour to bless
and strengthen him, to allow his rich nature so
vastly endowed, to return to their midst He
thanked God for Mr. Beecher's mnlstratiOns for
all that MS teachings had enabled them TO &C
compllsh. He prayeo God to spare him so that he
might return and preach to them with power
greater than he had ever exhibited in the past.
Brother Manchester prayed God to watch over
their beloved pastor with His gentest care. 'Thou
knowest what great loving heart he has Thou
knOwest
HOW DEAR HE IS TO Us;
how he has watched ana seen us grow up from
childhood. wilt Thou grant that we may again
worship together with the pastor that we SO
dearly love-" Similar expressions OF fealty toward
the pastor concluded the prayer.
Mr.. Cleveland, member OF the Investigating
Committee tnat was, spoke OF his visi. to Mr..
Beecher in the mountains. He certainly seemed
very s he said aa and not ueevs very oas np
Beecsep saGusn was very appreSenslye es 'Aa about
s'I his future. He mad SPOKEN with Hea. ieei.
ing OF great satisfaction OF the way he had spent
this summer in the mountains. he said that he
would undoubtedly return on the 1st Of October,
and. proDaDly, preach again on the FIRST Sunday in
October. He manifested in his conversation the
same charity and sweetness and love for all sim
ners that he had exhibited during so many years.
They had all known HIM for q long time. and so lar
rs he was concerned he had never seen-and he
AN ExEMPLIFICATION OF GOD
rs TINS man OF God had proved himself to be dur
last three or iour years. He had seen very much
OF personally and was glad to testify to the TACT
mat during these last three or IOur years he had
never heard Mr.. Beecher say word about any
body which he might not have as well said in his
last utterance on earth. MIR. Beecher had declared
repeatedly tnat he was preaching the Gospel
oil love and charity and not that OF re-
venge, and he had practised that doctrine all his
life. Mr.. Beecher told him that if God spared his
life he meant to come back TO Plymouth church
with renewed vigor and zeal. Mr.. Cleveland be-
neved that Mr.. Beecher would do more and better
work IN the next five years than he mad accom-
plished In any similar period OF his life. He had
SAID to Mr. Cleveland that he was now better aDle
TO iully grasp and teach the Gospel than ne ever
NOTHING CAN HARM HIM.
Mr.. Cleveland wound up by stating his convic-
ZION tnat nothing could harm Mr. Beecher. He
1elt Just as indifferent about what might be said
about Mr.. Beecher as about the caprclous winds.
lie believed that God meant to do more by and
through their pastor than He had ever done be-
fore. He was certain that there would yet be q
great many questions which would be moulded BY
the influence OF his great name and glorious
example. This generation had settled the ques.
tlon whether a man OF bright religious influence
couid not be able to maintain IL against all as
sauts. What they needed in this churcn more
than anything else were prayers Tor themselves,
their pastor ana their enemies so that they might
enjoy revival which would make these hills shine
with the brightness OF the coming OF the Lord.
Other PRAYERS followed in the same strain OF
rapture and the exercises closed soon after nine
O'Clock.