New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-02
Mr.. BEECHER's MINISTRY IN PLYMOUTH
CHURCH.

CHURCH.
O. Were you the first clergyman of that
churchi A. OF the Plymouth Churehl
q Yes A. was the first, and have been the only pas
tor.
O. Was il founded. and you called TO it the be-
ginning of its existence church with paStOrl A.
called 10 the church by the gentlemen that pur
chased the property and told them that they could not
call that they had authority; they therefore pro
ceeded TO form church in order that they having
thorty, might call me.
Q. And you then called by the churchl A. was
then called by the church.
Q. How large a cOngregaton-how large community
of church members this society when you were
caedl A. 1t think it perhaps-the church proper
that called mel should think had 20 members, -.
perhaps not over %.
@. Has there been any break or interruption in your
service pastor and preacher at that church from that
time to the PRESENT. A. have preached continuously
from that day to this
O. Has there been any occasion Of interruption oil
count of your strength health during that whole time
A. The first year that came to Brooklyn, and while the
church in which worship building, exposed
myself little in visiting the church. and was sick with
erysipelas which enfeebled for several months but
with the exception of that sickness, don't think have
lost five Sundays in p years.
O. Have you within this period OF your settlement Mr..
Deecher had any absence abroad A. Twice
q. At what times and for what length A. In conse
q"ence of the continued weakness of the first sickness
which mentioned, made voyage with Capt. knight,
in the ship New World, to England in 1s5O-the summer
gone not three months, and inside of two
think.
O. You went ont and back in sailing shipl A I went
expecting to back in sailing ship but in fact
returned Oh board the steamer Asia.
O. Now, your second absence in EurOpel A. Ny sec
oni absence in Europe in June-if recocct right
1868 and returned the last of November OF the
year
@. And your time was passed in England and on the
continent of Europe except during the voyages A Yes
Sir
O. What was the occasion of that visit? A. had been
out in preaching lecturing and editorial work in
cdent TO the coming of the war; and the first years OF
the war; and my friends advised Inc to take the sum
for recruiting and be ready for the Fan and Winter
campaign.
O. Then you were not an invalid during that absence2
A. No. Sir; nor before it-not exactly an invalid.
O. 1t was a recIeatiOni A. 1t a rest preparatory
10 larger labors.
@ And you had occasion TO make public demonstra-
tons and perform services while you abroad, had
you notl A. Do you mean whether did,
O. Did in fact A. At first refused, and with the ex
CeptOn Of few breakfasts, as they are called in En-
gland took public service. then went on to the Con
tnent and spent one months there, and returned
u England in September, determined 10 come home,
but led TO agree to line Of public oratiOns dis
courses on American affairs.
@ In of the principal cities of England' A. In
don.
O. And all those occasions had 70 do with the public
situation Of affairs here and the a. They did.
Q. How large is the congregation and how large the
number of church members in Plymouth Church now,
about A. l cannot speak with pOsitiveness Sir but
should say the congregation is limited only by the build
ing and has been for % years the number Of com
inuncants is suppose, 2,5O0-between 1900 and
5000.
@. And for how long has that number, or similar
number. been the list of your church membersi A.
could not say definitely SIR it has been over 1000,
suppose, for 10 years more.
q. What and what have been your habtual lahors
n a clergyman in the direction and charge OF this church
and congregation A. have preached morning and
afternoon and conducted for series OF years Wednes
daylight lecture, Friday night prayermeeting, and
what was called the Social Circle, social meeting Of
tie church.
q Where was the latter heidi A In the paors Of the
,chuIch.
q And more recently have your services there been re-
duced in amount A. The social meeting have RENTED
10 the charge of the young people.
O. For how far backi A. o, should say for - years
O Well, the Wednesday evening lecturel a. The We'd
nesday evening lecture dropped not far think just be
fore the time the may be inaccurate about that
have no special memory.