The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1875-10-13
Plymouth Church to the Rescue.

Plymouth Church has answered the equivocal
issue of her pastors trial by raising his salary
from $4,000 to 100000 year. 1t must be ad-
mitted that this is substantial mode of demon
strating confidence and attachment and that it
evinces sincerity than cart loads Of addresses
and resolutions. Plymouth Church has followed
the example of the old Quaker who, when a
neighbor had fallen into difficulties, and the church
members were expressing sympathy for him, but
without applying their benevolence, observed, II
feel for Brother So.and.so fifty dollars How
much dost thou feel for him p 1t may be sor-
that there is no way by which real faith isso clear
y shown at this day as in the willingness to spend
money for the cause or the man believed in.
Nothing is so cheap as sympathy. Nothing is
harder to wiring ont of people than real practical
proofs Of it. Nor is this popularity Of the age,
but trait OF human nature of which, as Sam
Slick has observed, there is good deal in man.
When, therefore, the congregation Of Plymouth
Church feel for their pastor to the tune Of $50 900
per annum, the fact must be regarded as proof
that there is no sham about their attachment 10
him, and it is impossible not to realize that he can
be no common aud no bad man, who is capable Of
graphing to himself with such hooks OF steel the
affections Of his people. hmay be said that mere
pride might have induced the wealthy members
OF the church TO make this sacrifice rather than
admit that their idol was clay. But we do not
believe that any community Of educated Ameri
can men and women can be found capable Of the
selfdegredatiop involved in such an hypothesis
mol If they have done this they have done it
emphatically aud solely because they believed in
Beechet's innocence, aud though the TACT may
have no direct bearing upon the subject OF his
trial, it is entitled to be accorded due weight
among the incidental matters which 60 TO form
material for judgment concerning the character
Of the man, just US his reputation by the church
would assuredly have been used against him all
the world over What would have been employed
us evidence on one side must be admitted with.
out hesitation on the other and Beecher is clear
ly advanlaged by so marked, SO unprecedented a
token Of undiminished esteem and confidence
from those who may claim to know him best aud
who stand to him in the relation Of spiritual
family. Nor is this all Of significance in the ac-
ton Of the church. 1t shows that the teachings
of Beecher have, after all, built up manlier
creed than The world has recently given him
credit for 1t would have been far more in ac-
cordance with the average tendencies Of human
nature had these people demanded bis resignation
and helped to hasten and complete his fall. That
they have stood 10 him through good and evil re-
port SO firmly and so nobly lie one Of the few facts
in this gloomy drama which will bear to be lin
gered over 1t is refreshing glimpse Of the bet
ter and higher attributes which have been so
painfully absent from the scene 10 all other as
poets, and it proves that Beecher has not obtained
his great reputation as a leader Of men for moth
ing. Finally, whether he is innocent or not, We
admire and respect Plymouth Church for the
stauchness and bravery with which it has persist
ed in believing in him, and for the generous
promptness with which it has FASTENED TO indorse
him 10 the face of doubtful issue in the Courts