New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-26
THE PLYMOUTH PRAYER-MEETING

BUOYANr SPIRIT THE Observation-Disclosures o.
THE CROWDED AUDIENCE - TOPICS OF Mr.
BEECRERs DIsCoURsE-TRIALs THE TEST OF
TRUE RELlGIoN-sECURITY IN STRENGTH GIVEN
by GoD-THE TROUBLES OF THE PAST FIVE
YEARS WORKING OUT PEACE-MR. BsEcHER As
sERrs HIS GOOD WILL TOWARD ALL WHO HAvn
AssAuEp HIM WHAT MEN SAY OF LTTTLR
MOMENT IN COMPARISON WITH GODS CALLING
TO LABOR-THE PLYMOUTH PASTORS INTENTION
TO KEEP ON THE WAY ASSIGNED HIM BY PRovI-
DENCE.
The lecture-room Of Plymouth Church was two
thirds full last evening early as o'clock, and
III Later there was not inch Of space untaken
anywhere except around the steps OF the platform.
There is always great strife for front seats and ~
The seats are movable the packing together Of per-
sons which the audience practices carried 10 far
last night that every one seemed cramped for room
and to the last degree uncomfortable. The heat and
coseness of the cir Of the room, too, were very op
pressive A great many strangers were present,
Judging by the fact that numerous unknown faces
appeared in the front lines in the places Of familiar
attendants, who, by coming earlier than the
usual time, forced to take such undesirable
seats as were left
little bunch of lay the pastors stand
the gift of some friend. On the platform were the
Rev. Edward Beecher, Col. Henry Beecher's wifA
Deacon Howard and one Of his sons, the Rev. Mr..
Scovill, Mr.. Beecher's sOn-ln-law, and Mrs. Lots
Jones and Mrs. Bulard-the former the sister and
tho latter the sister-in-law of Mr. Beeeher. Mrl
Jones bears close resemblance to her sister, for she
has the strongly marked, regular features with
all expression of fnness--not perhaps quite 30 In
tense-thc same silvery hair combed smoothly down
over the brows and looks to be Of nearly the same
age as Mrs. Beechor. Mrs. Beecher not present,
Mr. Halliday explained to questoBer that she wss
still in the traroom at the Courthouse, where she
sat all day long waiting for the verdict. Henry N.
Cleveland sat near 3r. Halliday at tho foot Of the
platform. MT. Sherman also was present.
AIR. Beecher came in promptly at o'clock with bic
cons wife. After taking his seat Oh the platform
he missed his hymn-book from the accustomed place
Oh the stand at his elbow, and without turning and
with an air of assurance if he felt certain who
had it, he addressed the assistant pastor, I'd thank
you for my hynn-book, Mr.. Halliday" There Is
the thief" Mr. Halliday playfully answered. point
ing to Mr.. Scovill. Mr.. Scovin stepped quickly
forward and laid the book the table. Mr.. Beeches
smiled and looked inquiringly at M. Halliday, -
if to know if he were forgiven for the imputaton
It was plain that the Plymouth p"stOr was In thu
best of spirits. He seemed perfectly unconcerned,
contented, and happy; there was not more placid
face in the The subject Of his discourse was
that the time best test Christian Is when he II
under fire. in way anOther-in a sea of trouble
Mr.. Beecher's troubles were referred to from
beginning to end. The audience was wrought intOa
state of the most intense excitement and enthusi-
asm Loud applause by voice and hand was fire.
quent. Three times Mr.. Beecher besought the peS-
Die to keep silence, but with effect. And when to-
ward the close he said with impressive earnestnes,
Living OF dying, l am the Lords" it seemed as II
the people could not find IN outlet for all their feel
ings and such cries as Amenp God bless y0u,'
and many Others were mingled with literal upross
of applause.
Mr. Beecher virtually laid down the g.vJnd he u
to stand upon in the future, for he said he did not
care for the assaults of men no should go on and
preach In Plymouth Church or elsewhere whenever
the Lord called him, just the same. He talked
very rapidly. but with all his customary felicity.
and, as Mr.. Halliday said at the close, quite
outdid himself" Toward the end Mr. Beeeher
from his chair, in tho heat of speaking against his
custom at Friday night talks. lie showed special
earncstness when he said he wished it were possible
to speak with his people confdentally, instead Of
always publicly in way before the whole world.
The tune "Zundel" 1925 of the Plymouth
Collection, was sung. Then Mr. Beecher spoke feel
ingy of the bereavement Of of his oarishiOners
by the loss of a child, and said be knew all would
join him in prayer for the afflicted The pastor
prayed:
MR. BFECHER's PRAYER.
Like as a father piteth his children, 81 the Lord
pitch them that fear Him, and we rcjoEo in Thy
pity rejoice in Thy smile, rejoice in Thy love,
we rejoice in Thy intelligence, that passes above N
and is the delight of life. And rejoice in Thee
so much that no tumult. no black-looming disaster,
and no trouble disturb our peace. We belong to
those who in every age Lord, have trusted lbee
and we are witnesses that the sOn may rest high
and that many things may change and disturb us.
vet is there peace and rest in tho midst of trouble
and sorrow. We thank Thee that Thou hast taught
us the secret of that comfort. Even darkness has
hidden in it light that burns for us. And our every
despair has had spanned upon it the bow Of hope.
We rejoice, o Lord God, that there il such sus-
tenance for the SOUL We go about in life and be-
hold how much there is for the body, on every side
and how little for the soul IN its yearnngs, in
that which it must have of truth, and beauty.
and fidelity, and love, and faith, and
hope and We rejoice that there Is in Thee that which
makes it TO be that not upon the thrones Of power
In the circle of victory are men most happy, but
that even the poor and degraded may find happiness.
We pray for all in afction. May they be able rev.
erently to say. "Thc will Of the Lord DO donen o
Lord how much better art Thy thoughts for US than
our own rannings, how much better are Thy DEGREES
for than our own imaginations. Grant that there
may be In usexceedingy more than ask or think.
through the riches of grace in Christ Lord Amen
The 1.207th hymn was sung, and then Me-
Beecher began the evenings talk.
I will not said Mr.. Beecher in an evening 90 M.
comfortable. unnecessarily lengthcn the services.
will therefore abbreyiate the services and let you
90 free. 1t Is said about hunters in England-I
mean horses. not huntsmen-that the time 10 test
them IL when going across plowed ground They
get along well enough on smooth highway, bus
thavc MI yNeIC rou and nh erAl